About
The FIFA World Cup, held every four years since 1930 (except 1942 and 1946 due to WWII), is the world's most-watched sporting event. The 2022 Qatar World Cup final (Argentina vs. France) drew an estimated 1.5 billion viewers — the most watched in history. Brazil has won 5 times; Germany and Italy 4 times each; Argentina, France, England, Spain, Uruguay each once.
The tournament features 32 teams (expanded to 48 from 2026) selected from 211 FIFA member nations through years of qualifying matches. The 1986 Maradona-led Argentina victory, 1970 Brazil team (arguably the greatest football team ever), 1998 France, and 2022 Argentina represent the tournament's greatest moments. The World Cup transcends sport — wars have paused for it, economies are affected, and national identities are bound up in outcomes.
# Top 10 World Cup moments
- 1Maradona's Hand of God and Goal of the Century (1986)
- 2Germany 7-1 Brazil (2014)
- 3Zinedine Zidane headbutt (2006)
- 4Roger Milla's celebrations (1990)
- 5Pelé at 17 winning 1958
- 61966 England host win
- 7Ronaldo (Brazil) final hat-trick 2002
- 8Iker Casillas saves (2010)
- 9Messi's 2022 triumph
- 10Baggio's missed penalty 1994
Fascinating Facts
- ◆3.5 billion people watched the 2018 World Cup — roughly half of humanity
- ◆The 1950 World Cup final had 199,854 spectators in Rio's Maracanã stadium — the largest crowd ever at a sporting event
- ◆Maradona's 'Goal of the Century' (1986) vs England was voted the greatest goal in World Cup history — he dribbled past 5 players and the goalkeeper
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