10 Fun Facts About World Cup

Which country hosted the inaugural FIFA World Cup tournament?

Uruguay hosted and won the first-ever FIFA World Cup in 1930, celebrating the centenary of its first constitution.

Which nation has won the most FIFA World Cup titles?

Brazil holds the record with five World Cup victories, making them the most successful team in the tournament's history.

Which player holds the record for the most goals scored in FIFA World Cup tournaments?

Germany's Miroslav Klose scored a record 16 goals across four World Cup tournaments between 2002 and 2014.

In what year was the first FIFA World Cup held?

The first FIFA World Cup was organized in 1930, marking the beginning of the prestigious international football competition.

Which country has reached the most FIFA World Cup finals without ever winning the trophy?

The Netherlands has reached three World Cup finals (1974, 1978, 2010) but has yet to win the trophy.

Four months before the 1966 tournament the trophy was stolen from a public exhibition in London. Who found it a week later, wrapped in newspaper under a hedge?

The trophy had been taken from a public exhibition at Westminster Central Hall and turned up in Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood.

Which player scored a hat-trick in the 1966 final at Wembley as England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time?

His controversial goal in the 101st minute put England ahead 3-2, and he completed the treble in the last minute of extra time.

The decisive match of the 1950 tournament, played before a vast crowd at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, was won by which visiting side?

The hosts needed only a draw to take the title; the defeat is remembered in Brazil as the Maracanazo.

Two scheduled tournaments, in 1942 and 1946, were never played. What caused their cancellation?

Germany and Brazil had both bid to host them; the competing nations rejoined at FIFA's invitation in 1946.

The competition was renamed in 1946 in honour of the FIFA president who had set up the first tournament. What was his name?

Until then it had simply been called the World Cup, or the Coupe du Monde.