In this article, the whole history of the winners of the World Cup. Which country and in what year became world champions. How many titles does each team have in total? About all this further.

General information on the World Cup

Football World Cup (WCH) is the largest international sports tournament organized by FIFA, in which the best football countries from all over the world take part. This tournament is held every 4 years.

The very first World Cup was held back in 1930. And the winner of the first World Cup was the Uruguay team, which in the final beat the Argentina team (4:2). Only 13 teams took part in it. So far, 20 tournaments have taken place.

The last (current) world champion for 2019 is France national team, which became the winner of the last World Cup in 2018, held in Russia.

Former champions - the German national team, who won the "mundial" in 2014 in Brazil, did not even leave the group at this tournament.

Note: West Germany (Former Germany) 3 times world champion (1954, 1974 and 1990).

Teams that have become world champions - which country has the most titles?

In the football world, top teams stand out, attracting their attention both by the quality of the game and the selection of players. And therefore most often they are favorites in such tournaments. Many are interested in who how many times became the world champion.

Winning countries by number of championship wins (table)

national team	How many wins	In what years did they become champions
Brazil	5	1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Germany	4	1954, 1974, 1990, 2014
Italy	4	1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
Uruguay	2	1930, 1950
Argentina	2	1978, 1986
France	2	1998, 2018
England	1	1966
Spain	1	2010

USSR and World Cup

The national team of the Soviet Union has never in its history become the winner of the World Cup. The best result is 4th place in 1966, held in England. Then the USSR national team in the semifinals lost to the German national team with a score (2:1). And in the match for 3rd place, she lost to Portugal with the same score.

Russia at the World Cup

The Russian national team also did not win the title of world champions in football. The Russian team showed the best result at the home World Cup in 2018, reaching the quarterfinals, where they lost to the Croatian team in a penalty shootout.

The Russian team in the match with Croatia at the 2018 World Cup. Source: gazeta.ru

Full list of world champions by year in the table

Year	World Cup Winner	Who was beaten in the final (Score)	Location
1930	Uruguay	Argentina (4:2)	Uruguay
1934	Italy	Czechoslovakia (2:1 - additional time)	Italy
1938	Italy	Hungary (4:2)	France
1950	Uruguay	Brazil (2:1)	Brazil
1954	West Germany	Hungary (3:2)	Switzerland
1958	Brazil	Sweden (5:2)	Sweden
1962	Brazil	Czechoslovakia (3:1)	Chile
1966	England	West Germany (4:2 - additional time)	England
1970	Brazil	Italy (4:1)	Mexico
1974	West Germany	Netherlands (2:1)	West Germany
1978	Argentina	Netherlands (3:1 - additional time)	Argentina
1982	Italy	West Germany (3:1)	Spain
1986	Argentina	West Germany (3:2)	Mexico
1990	West Germany	Argentina (1:0)	Italy
1994	Brazil	Italy (0:0 - penalty shootout 3:2))	USA
1998	France	Brazil (3:0)	France
2002	Brazil	Germany (2:0)	Japan and South Korea
2006	Italy	France (1:1 - penalty shootout 5:3)	Germany
2010	Spain	Netherlands (1:0 - additional time)	South Africa
2014	Germany	Argentina (1:0 - extra time)	Brazil
2018	France	Croatia (4:2)	Russia

And finally, a video reviewing the final match of the last World Cup between France and Croatia. Happy viewing!

2017-01-10T14:16+0300

2017-01-10T15:33+0300

https://site/20170110/1485402968.html

History of the World Cup

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RIA News

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The Council of the International Football Federation (FIFA) on Tuesday unanimously approved an increase in the number of participants in the final part of the world championships from 32 to 48 teams.

Below is a background on the history of the World Cups.

The International Football Federation was founded on May 21, 1904 in Paris. Already at one of its first meetings, the Dutch banker Karl Hirschmann introduced a project to organize the World Cup, but did not find support.

The first real prospects for holding the World Cup opened after the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, where football matches aroused great interest. The final decision on the world championship was made by the FIFA Congress in Amsterdam on May 29, 1928.

There were five applicants for the first World Cup: Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and Uruguay. The majority of delegates voted for Uruguay. This choice was supported by two victories of the national team of this country in the Olympic tournaments of 1924 and 1928 and a firm promise by the representative of Uruguay to fulfill all the financial conditions of FIFA.

1930 World Cup

In 1930, Uruguay hosted the first football world championship in history. The championship of the planet was held from 13 to 30 July in the country's capital, Montevideo.

Teams from 13 countries took part in the championship: Belgium, Romania, France, Yugoslavia (Europe); Mexico, USA (North and Central America); Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Chile (South America). They were divided into four groups, the winners of which advanced to the play-off semi-finals.

Uruguay won the championship. The second place was taken by the Argentines, the third - by the Americans. Top scorer ("Golden Boot") - Guillermo Stabile (Uruguay).

1934 World Cup

In 1934, Italy hosted the second football world championship. Matches were played from May 27 to June 10.

The tournament was held in eight cities: Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples, Genoa, Trieste, Bologna, Florence.

Participating countries: Egypt (Africa), Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Romania, France, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Sweden (Europe); USA (North America); Argentina, Brazil (South America) - 16 teams that started the tournament from the 1/8 finals.

The championship was won by the Italian team. The second place was taken by the team of Czechoslovakia, the third - by Germany. The top scorer is Oldrich Nejedly (Czechoslovakia).

1938 World Cup

The world championship was hosted by the following cities: Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Reims, Toulouse, Le Havre, Strasbourg, Lille, Antibes.

Participants: Netherlands Antilles (Asia), Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, France, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Switzerland (Europe); Cuba (North and Central America), Brazil (South America) - 15 teams that formed seven pairs of 1/8 finals of the playoffs. The Austrian team also made it to the world championship, but the country was annexed to Germany in the same year, and therefore a vacant place appeared in the tournament grid. The Swedes advanced directly to the quarter-finals.

The Italian national team became the champion for the second time in a row, beating the Hungarians in the final of the tournament. The third place was taken by the Brazilians. Top scorer - Leonidas (Brazil).

1950 World Cup

The first tournament after a 12-year break due to World War II was held in Brazil from June 24 to July 16, 1950.

World Cup matches were held in six cities: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Recife.

Participants: England, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Yugoslavia (Europe); Mexico, USA (North and Central America); Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile (South America) - 13 teams divided into four groups in the first round. The four teams that won the groups formed the final group, in which they played among themselves in a round robin system. The winner of the championship was determined by the number of points scored in the final group.

Uruguay won the championship. The second place was taken by the Brazilians, the third - by the Swedes. Top scorer - Ademir (Brazil).

1954 World Cup

In 1954, Switzerland hosted the fifth World Cup. The tournament was held from June 16 to July 4.

Matches were held in six cities: Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich, Basel and Lugano.

Participants: South Korea (Asia), Austria, England, Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Turkey, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Scotland, Yugoslavia (Europe); Mexico (North and Central America), Brazil, Uruguay (South America) - 16 teams divided into four groups of four teams. The teams that took first and second places in the groups formed pairs of the 1/4 finals of the playoffs.

The German team became the world champion. The second place was taken by the team of Hungary, the third - by Austria. The top scorer is Sandor Kocsis (Hungary).

1958 World Cup

World championship matches were held in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Helsingborg, Halmstad, Västerås, Norrköping, Eskilstuna, Örebro, Sandviken, Buros, Uddevalle.

Participating countries: Austria, England, Hungary, Northern Ireland, USSR, Wales, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Scotland, Yugoslavia (Europe); Mexico (North and Central America); Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay (South America) - 16 teams divided into four groups. The teams that took first and second places in the groups formed pairs of the 1/4 finals of the playoffs.

The USSR national team took part in the World Cup for the first time. Also for the first time the world championship received a huge television audience - from the stadiums where the final tournament was held, there were regular television broadcasts to many countries of the world.

Brazil became the world champion. The second place was taken by the Swedish team, the third - by the French. The top scorer is Just Fontaine (France). The best young player of the championship - Pele (Brazil).

1962 World Cup

Matches were held in the cities of Santiago, Arica, Viña del Mar, Rancagua.

Participating countries: England, Bulgaria, Hungary, Spain, Italy, USSR, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Yugoslavia (Europe); Mexico (North and Central America), Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Chile (South America) - 16 teams divided into four groups of four teams. The teams that took first and second places in the groups formed pairs of the 1/4 finals of the playoffs.

The Brazilians are the world champions. The second and third places were taken by the national teams of Czechoslovakia and Chile. The top scorers are Garrincha, Vava (both Brazil), Valentin Ivanov (USSR), Leonel Sanchez (Chile), Florian Albert (Hungary), Drazan Erkovich (Yugoslavia). The best young player of the championship - Florian Albert (Hungary).

1966 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Middlesbrough, Sunderland.

Participants: North Korea (Asia); England, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Portugal, USSR, France, Germany, Switzerland (Europe); Mexico (North and Central America); Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile (South America) - 16 teams divided into four groups. The teams that took first and second places in the groups formed pairs of the 1/4 finals of the playoffs.

England won the world championship. The second place was taken by the German team, the third - by the Portuguese. Top scorer - Eusebio (Portugal). The best young player of the championship is Franz Beckenbauer (Germany).

1970 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in the cities of Mexico City, Puebla, Toluca, Guadalajara, Leon.

Participants: Morocco (Africa); England, Belgium, Bulgaria, Israel, Italy, Romania, USSR, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Sweden (Europe); Mexico, El Salvador (North and Central America); Brazil, Peru, Uruguay (South America) - 16 teams divided into four groups. The teams that took first and second places in the groups formed pairs of the 1/4 finals of the playoffs.

The Brazilian team became the world champion, the Italian team took the second place, the German team took the third place. The top scorer is Gerd Müller (Germany). The best young player of the championship - Teofilo Cubillas (Peru).

1974 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Hannover, Stuttgart, Gelsenkirchen.

Participants: Zaire (Africa); Australia (Asia); Bulgaria, East Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Scotland, Sweden, Yugoslavia (Europe); Haiti (North and Central America); Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile (South America) - 16 teams divided in the first round into four groups of four teams.

The championship was won by the German team. The second place was taken by the Dutch, the third - by the Poles. The top scorer is Grzegorz Lato (Poland). The best young player of the championship - Vladislav Zhmuda (Poland).

1978 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in the cities of Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, Rosario, Cordoba, Mendoza.

Participants: Tunisia (Africa); Iran (Asia); Austria, Hungary, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, France, Germany, Sweden, Scotland (Europe); Mexico (North and Central America); Argentina, Brazil, Peru (South America) - 16 teams divided in the first round into four groups of four teams.

The teams that took first and second places in the groups formed two groups of four teams in the second round. The winners of these groups reached the final of the championship, and the teams that took second places competed for bronze medals.

Argentina won the world championship. The second place is taken by the Netherlands team, the third place is taken by the Brazilians. Top scorer - Mario Kempes (Argentina). The best young player of the championship - Antonio Cabrini (Italy). The prize for fair play was received by the Argentines.

1982 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Seville, Valencia, Zaragoza, Alicante, Bilbao, Elche, Gijon, Malaga, Oviedo, Valladolid, Vigo, La Coruña.

Participants: Algeria, Cameroon (Africa); Kuwait (Asia), Austria, England, Belgium, Hungary, Spain, Italy, Poland, Northern Ireland, USSR, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Scotland, Yugoslavia (Europe), Honduras, El Salvador (North and Central America), New Zealand ( Oceania), Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Chile (South America) - 24 teams divided in the first round into six groups of four teams.

The teams that took first and second places in the groups formed four groups of three teams in the second round. Teams-winners of groups of the second round formed the semi-finals of the playoffs.

The first place in the championship was taken by the Italian team, the second by the German team, and the third by Poland. Paolo Rossi (Italy) received the Golden Ball as the best football player. Top scorer - Paolo Rossi (Italy). The best young player of the championship - Manuel Amoros (France). The Brazilians received the prize for fair play.

1986 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in the cities of Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Toluca, Leon, Irapuato, Querétaro, Nezahualcoyotl.

Participants: Algeria, Morocco (Africa); Iraq, South Korea (Asia); England, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Northern Ireland, USSR, France, Germany, Scotland (Europe); Canada, Mexico (North and Central America); Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay (South America) - 24 teams divided into six groups of four teams.

Argentina won the world championship. In second place was the German team, in third - the French. Diego Maradona (Argentina) received the Golden Ball. The top scorer is Gary Lineker (England). The best young player of the championship - Enzo Schifo (Belgium). The Brazilians received the prize for fair play.

1990 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples, Florence, Bari, Genoa, Bologna, Verona, Udine, Cagliari, Palermo.

Participants: Egypt, Cameroon (Africa); South Korea, UAE (Asia); Austria, England, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, USSR, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Scotland, Yugoslavia (Europe); Costa Rica, USA (North and Central America); Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay (South America) - 24 teams divided into six groups of four teams.

The teams that took first and second places in the groups, as well as the four best teams from among those who took third place, formed pairs of the 1/8 finals of the playoffs.

The first place in the championship was taken by the German national team, the second - by the Argentines, the third - by the Italians. Ballon d'Or was awarded to Salvatore Schillaci (Italy). The top scorer is Salvatore Schillaci (Italy). The best young player of the championship - Robert Prosinechki (Yugoslavia). The prize for fair play was given to the British.

1994 FIFA World Cup

Matches were played in Washington DC, Los Angeles, Detroit, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Boston, New York/New Jersey, Orlando.

Participants: Cameroon, Morocco, Nigeria (Africa); South Korea, Saudi Arabia (Asia); Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Romania, Switzerland, Sweden (Europe); Mexico, USA (North and Central America); Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia (South America) - 24 teams divided into six groups of four teams.

The teams that took first and second places in the groups, as well as the four best teams from among those who took third place, formed pairs of the 1/8 finals of the playoffs.

The Brazilians won the world championship, the Italians took the second place, the Swedes took the third. Romario (Brazil) received the Golden Ball. The top scorers are Oleg Salenko (Russia), Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria). The best young player of the championship - Mark Overmars (Netherlands). The Lev Yashin Prize (best goalkeeper) was awarded to Michel Prudhomme (Belgium). The prize for fair play went to the Brazilians, who also won the award for spectacular play.

1998 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in Bordeaux, Lance, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, Paris, Saint-Denis, Saint-Etienne, Toulouse.

Participants: Cameroon, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia (Africa), Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia (Asia); Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Yugoslavia (Europe); Jamaica, Mexico, USA (North and Central America); Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay (South America) - 32 teams divided into eight groups of four teams. The teams that took first and second places in the groups formed pairs of the 1/8 finals of the playoffs.

The French team won the world championship, the Brazilians were in second place, and the Croats were in third. Ronaldo (Brazil) received the Golden Ball. The top scorer is Davor Šuker (Croatia). The best young player of the championship - Michael Owen (England). Lev Yashin Prize - Fabien Barthez (France). The prize for fair play was received by the teams of England and France, for the spectacular - by the French.

2002 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in the South Korean cities of Incheon, Gwangju, Busan, Seogwipo, Seoul, Suwon, Daegu, Taejeon, Ulsan, Chonju. Cities of Japan: Ibaraki, Yokohama, Kobe, Miyagi, Niigata, Oita, Osaka, Saitama, Sapporo, Shizuoka.

Participating countries: Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia (Africa); China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia (Asia); Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Ireland, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey (Europe); Costa Rica, Mexico, USA (North and Central America); Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay (South America) - 32 teams divided into eight groups of four teams. The teams that took first and second places in the groups formed pairs of the 1/8 finals of the playoffs.

Brazil won the championship, followed by Germany in second place and Turkey in third. Oliver Kahn (Germany) received the Golden Ball. Top scorer - Ronaldo (Brazil). The best young player of the championship - Landon Donovan (USA). Lev Yashin Prize - Oliver Kahn (Germany) The Belgians received the prize for fair play, and the South Koreans for spectacular play.

2006 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in Berlin, Dortmund, Munich, Stuttgart, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, Cologne, Hannover, Leipzig, Nuremberg, Kaiserslautern.

Participants: Angola, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Tunisia (Africa); Australia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia (Asia); Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia and Montenegro, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine (Europe); Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, USA (North and Central America); Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay (South America) - 32 teams, divided into eight groups of four teams.The teams that took first and second places in the groups formed pairs of the 1/8 finals of the playoffs.

The first place in the championship was taken by the Italians, the second by the French, and the third by the Germans. Zinedine Zidane (France) received the Golden Ball. Top scorer - Miroslav Klose (Germany). The best young player of the championship - Lukas Podolski (Germany). Lev Yashin Prize - Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) The Spaniards and Brazilians received the prize for fair play, and the Portuguese for spectacular play.

2010 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in the cities of Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Rustenburg, Nelspruit.

Participants: Algeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, South Africa (Africa); Australia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan (Asia); England, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia , Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, France (Europe); USA, Mexico, Honduras (North and Central America); New Zealand (Oceania), Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile (South America) - 32 teams divided into eight groups of 4. Teams that took the first and second places in the groups formed pairs of the 1/8 finals of the playoffs.

The Spaniards won the world championship, the Dutch team was in second place, and the Germans were in third. Diego Forlán (Uruguay) received the Golden Ball. The top scorer is Thomas Müller (Germany). The best young player of the championship - Thomas Müller (Germany). Lev Yashin Prize - Iker Casillas (Spain). The Spanish national team received the prize for fair play.

2014 FIFA World Cup

Matches were held in 12 cities: Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Salvador, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre, Manaus, Fortaleza, Natal, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiabe, Curitiba.

Participants: Algeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria (Africa); Australia, South Korea, Japan, Iran (Asia); England, Germany, Greece, Belgium, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Croatia , Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland, France (Europe); USA, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica (North and Central America); Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Chile (South America) - 32 teams divided into eight groups of four.The teams that took first and second places in the groups formed pairs of the 1/8 finals of the playoffs.

The Germans won the world championship, the second place was taken by the national team of Argentina, the third - by the team of the Netherlands. Lionel Messi (Argentina) received the Golden Ball. Top scorer - James Rodriguez (Colombia). The best young player of the championship - Paul Pogba (France). The Lev Yashin Prize went to Manuel Neuer (Germany). The Colombian team received the Fair Play Award.

2018 FIFA World Cup

Matches will be held in 11 cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Samara, Saransk, Sochi, Rostov-on-Don, Kaliningrad, Nizhny Novgorod and Volgograd.

2022 FIFA World Cup

In 2022, the tournament will be held in Qatar and for the first time will be held outside of summer time - November 21 to December 18. It will be the last in which 32 teams will take part.

The FIFA Council, meeting in Zurich on 10 January 2017, unanimously approved the decision to increase the number of teams in the World Cup finals to 48 starting from the 2026 tournament. Teams will be divided into 16 groups of three teams each.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

All World Cup Winners

Rivaldo and Ronaldo celebrating Brazil's fifth World Cup title in 2002, photo: skysports.com

By 2019, 21 FIFA World Cups had taken place. Brazil has won the World Cup most times - 5 times. Germany and Italy are in second place with 4 victories each at the world championships. Argentina, France and Uruguay are next with 2 wins each. We will tell you about all the world champions: where and under what conditions the winner played, whom he beat on the way to the championship, and what interesting things happened at each tournament.

1930 - Uruguay

Venue: Uruguay.

Uruguay team at the 1930 World Cup

Prior to the first World Cup, international football competitions took place at the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee banned professionals from participating in the Olympics. FIFA, on the other hand, wanted to allow professional football players, so in 1928, at the FIFA Congress, it was decided to hold the first World Cup outside the Olympics.

At the first World Cup, 13 teams played, which were divided into four groups. Each group winner advanced to the semi-finals. Uruguay was in a group with Peru and Romania. The first match was held at the Centenario stadium - the Uruguayans beat Peru 1:0. And three days later they beat the Romanians 4:0. In the semi-finals, Yugoslavia scored an early goal against the Uruguayans, and at the end of the half, another one, but it was mistakenly not counted. The mistake of the referees did not affect the result: the match ended with the defeat of the Yugoslavs 6:1.

Two months before the start of the World Cup, none of the European teams agreed to come. At that time, the only way to get from Europe to Uruguay was by ship, it took a lot of time, and the clubs would have to let the players go for two months. The Uruguayans even tried to invite the British, who were not part of FIFA, but they also refused. Only after the intervention of FIFA President Jules Rimet, the teams of Belgium, France (not the main team), Romania and Yugoslavia agreed to go to the World Cup.

The final with the Argentines was combative in every sense: the game ended with a score of 4:2, and shots were heard in the stands after the first goal. The book series "All the World Cups" claims that 1,600 pistols were confiscated from Argentine fans at the entrance to the stadium. The Argentines themselves assured that all weapons were confiscated at the border.

1934 - Italy

Venue: Italy.

Italy celebrates victory at the 1934 World Cup, photo: fifa.com

16 teams played in the championship. Italy itself was not provided with a separate quota, then the hosts of the tournament did not rely on it. This was the only time the hosts qualified for a home World Cup through the play-offs. At that time, Mussolini ruled in Italy: the government promised the players a bonus of 20,000 lire for winning the tournament, and prison for defeat. The Italians wanted to win so much that they brought in the Oriundi, players of Italian origin from Latin America.

The tournament began immediately with the 1/8 finals - with knockout games. They wanted to hold the first World Cup in the playoff format, but for 13 teams it was impossible. 16 teams started with the playoffs, and in the 1/8 Italy easily beat the USA 7:1. The 1/4 final match with the Spaniards ended 1:1. According to the regulations of that time, if the playoff match ended in a draw, then it was replayed. The next day, Italy beat Spain 1-0. In the semi-finals, the Italians defeated the legendary Austrian Wunderteam 1:0. Read about the Austrian team of the 30s. In the final after extra time, Italy beat Czechoslovakia 2-1 to win the World Cup for the first time.

Uruguay refused to participate in the World Cup due to the fact that a number of European teams ignored the 1930 World Cup (only Belgium, France, Romania and Yugoslavia arrived). This is the only time the champion missed the next World Cup and refused to defend the title.

1938 - Italy

Venue: France.

The Italian team celebrates victory at the 1938 World Cup

Despite the decision to alternate between Europe and South America, the Congress in Berlin decided to host the World Cup in France rather than Argentina. What resulted in the protest of the Argentines, who decided not to participate in the European World Cup for 20 years.

At that time, hostilities were already taking place in Europe: there was a civil war in Spain, Austria was annexed to Germany and its best football players were taken away.

Italy beat Norway in the 1/8 finals (2:1) and France in the 1/4 (3:1). In the semi-finals, the Italians met with the Brazilians. The Brazilian national team was so confident that they would reach the final that they bought plane tickets to Paris, the host city of the final. There was only one flight, and only one team could fly, so the Italians offered to give tickets to the winner, but the Brazilians did not agree. After a 2-1 victory, the Italian team went to the final in Paris by train. Italy beat Hungary 4-2 in the final to win their second World Cup in a row.

1950 - Uruguay

Venue: Brazil.

Alcides Ghija scores the decisive goal in the 1950 World Cup final, photo: AP

Championships in 1942 and 1946 were not held due to World War II. At the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, only 13 teams played - this is the smallest number of teams in the history of the World Cup along with the first championship in 1930.

At the 1950 World Cup, the ball was played without lacing for the first time. It was replaced with a ball with an internal nipple.

Official balls of the 1938 and 1950 World Cups, photo: worldcupballs.info

To win the World Cup, the Uruguayans did not have to win all the matches, they tied one. The fact is that the winner was determined in the final group tournament, and not in a separate match. The fate of the championship was decided by the match with Brazil. The Brazilians were looking forward to winning the World Cup: they made gold medals with the names of the players in advance and wrote a victory song in their honor. Even before the final, the Rio de Janeiro evening newspaper O Mundo published a photo of the Brazilian national team on the front page with the caption “These are the world champions”, other newspapers published similar headlines, promising that the Brazilians would become champions.

Brazil striker Zizinho said that even before the final, he signed more than 2,000 photos with the inscription: "Brazil is the world champion."

On June 16, 174,000 spectators officially gathered at the Maracana stadium, according to unofficial data, the stadium was overcrowded and 200,000 fans actually watched the game. The Brazilian team scored first early in the second half, and the stadium began to celebrate: the Brazilians sang songs and blew up firecrackers. Uruguay equalized in the 66th minute and the Maracanã fell silent. "This silence horrified our players," Brazilian coach Flavio Costa said after the match. Uruguay took the lead in the 79th minute and won the final 2-1. Victory Day over Brazil became a national holiday in Uruguay and has been celebrated every year since then.

The national teams of Mexico and Switzerland came to the World Cup with only one kit - red. It was impossible to play in the same uniform, so they decided with the help of a coin who would play in red. The Mexicans won, but lost their uniforms to the Swiss, while they themselves borrowed equipment from the Cruzeiro and played in striped white and blue uniforms.

1954 - Germany

Venue: Switzerland.

Fritz Walter with the Jules Rimet trophy and Horst Eckel on the shoulders of German fans after winning the 1954 World Cup, photo: theguardian.com

The German national team was in the same group with the favorites of the World Cup - the Hungarians. The Germans won the first match with Turkey (4:1), but Hungary lost devastatingly (3:8). After the defeat to the Hungarians, the German national team had to play an additional match with the Turkish team in order to qualify for the playoffs.

The crushing defeat against the Hungarians in the second round infuriated the German fans. Fans began to write angry letters, which were brought to the base of Germany. Some of the letters, including the proposal to hang head coach Sepp Herberger, were read by the coach himself at a team meeting. After that, the German national team beat Turkey 7:2.

In the 1/4, the German national team beat Yugoslavia (2:0), and in the semi-finals - Austria (6:1). The Germans won the final match against Hungary, conceding two quick goals by the eighth minute. By the 18th minute the score was already equal, and in the 84th minute Helmut Rahn scored the decisive goal (3:2), and the German national team won the first world title.

1958 - Brazil

Venue: Sweden.

Pele crying on Gilmar's shoulder after Brazil's victory in the 1958 World Cup final, photo: fourfourtwo.com

At the 1958 World Cup, 16 teams were divided into four groups. At the group stage, the Brazilians did not concede a single goal, defeating the Austrians 3:0, drawing with the British 0:0 and beating the USSR national team 2:0. In the quarter-finals, the Brazilians beat Wales 1-0. Then they defeated the French in the semifinals, and in the finals the Swedes with the same score 5:2. This final remains the highest scoring in history. The 1958 World Cup was the first for the 17-year-old Pelé to score two goals in a final.

It was the first victory of the Brazilian national team in the World Cup. Brazil is the only non-European team to win a World Cup in Europe.

1962 - Brazil

Venue: Chile.

Brazil captain Mauro holding the Jules Rimet trophy after winning the 1962 World Cup final, photo: Popperfoto/Getty Images

The championship basis of the Brazilians has remained since 1958 - 14 current champions came to the World Cup in Chile. Brazil was unlucky with the draw, with Mexico, Spain and Czechoslovakia in its group. The Czechoslovak national team at that time was the bronze medalist of the European Championship.

The Brazilians beat Mexico 2-0 and drew with Czechoslovakia 0-0. The winner of the group was determined in the face-to-face confrontation between Brazil and Spain. The Spaniards scored first, but Amarildo's two goals sent the Spaniards to fourth place in the standings and the Brazilians to the quarter-finals. The Brazilians beat the British in the 1/4 finals (3:1), the Chileans - in the semi-finals (4:2) and Czechoslovakia - in the final (3:1). Brazil became a two-time world champion, as did Uruguay and Italy.

In the Brazil-Chile match, the Chilean Landa and the leader of the Brazilians, Garrincha, were sent off. After the game, the removal of Garrinchi was canceled. The fact is that the Brazilian was beaten in the legs by the Chilean Rojas throughout the match, as a result, Garrincha decided to answer the blows and chased the offender, and when he caught up, he gave a light kick. When the removed Garrincha left the field, he was hit in the head by a bottle that was launched by fans from the stands.

1966 - England

Venue: England.

England captain Bobby Moore celebrating victory with the 1966 World Cup trophy in hand, photo: AP Images

The England national team at the home World Cup was represented by the golden generation: Bobby Charlton, Jeff Hurst, Bobby Moore, Gordon Banks. The British conceded the first goal only in the semi-finals. In total, England conceded three goals in the championship. The British performed well, among other things, thanks to the unconventional “diamond” formation 4-1-2-1-2. In this scheme, there were no flank attackers, and the game was built through the center of the field. Although traditionally the England team has always had strong wingers. This English team was nicknamed “Wingless Miracle”.

In the group, England drew with Uruguay (0:0), beat Mexico (2:0) and France (2:0). In the playoffs, England defeated Argentina (1:0) and Portugal (2:1). In the final, the main time of the match ended with the score 2:2. Hurst and Peters scored for the British, the Germans answered with goals from Haller and Weber. In extra time, two Hurst goals brought the British the first and only world title for 2019 (4:2).

The third goal of the British caused a lot of controversy, but the chief referee Gottfried Dienst and linesman Tofig Bakhramov counted it. Whether there was a goal or not, they still argue.

Hurst goal:

1970 - Brazil

Venue: Mexico.

Pelé is carried in the arms after Brazil's third World Cup victory, photo: AP Images

For the first time, the World Cup was not held in Europe or South America. Brazil was lucky: Pele returned to the national team, who, after the failure at the 1966 World Cup, announced that he would never go to the world championship again. In the group, the Brazilians beat all rivals: Czechoslovakia (4:1), England (1:0), Romania (3:2). In the playoffs, the Brazilians continued to confidently win: Peru (4:2), Uruguay (3:1), and in the final they had to play with the Italians.

Both finalists were already two-time world champions, and the three-time champion was supposed to take the Jules Rimet Cup for eternal storage. Therefore, the motivation was special - not just to win the World Cup, but to become the most titled team in the world and take the cup with you forever. The Italians held on at first - the teams went on a break with the score 1:1. In the second half, three unanswered goals flew into the Italian gate, and the Brazilians became world champions for the third time. For the entire tournament, Pelé scored 4 goals: three goals in the group stage matches and one in the final.

The official ball of the championship was the Adidas Telstar. It was hand-sewn from 20 white hexagons and 12 black pentagons.

1974 - Germany

Venue: Germany.

West Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer holds the FIFA World Cup after a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands, photo: AP Images

The current European champions, the German national team, showed strong attacking football at the home World Cup. The main European stars played in the Germans: Franz Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner, Uli Hoeness, Wolfgang Overath, Gerd Müller.

The format of the tournament was changed: instead of the playoffs, the teams played the second group stage of two groups. The winners of the second group stage advanced to the final, the second places played the match for the third place. In the first group stage, the German national team beat Chile (1:0) and Australia (3:0), but lost to the GDR (0:1) and finished second in the group. Thanks to the loss of the GDR, the German national team played in a weaker group in the second stage: with Poland, Sweden and Yugoslavia. While the GDR national team played with the Netherlands, Argentina and world champions Brazil.

The German national team won two matches in the second group stage, and the third game with Poland was essentially a semi-final. This match was delayed for half an hour because of the downpour in Düsseldorf, the field looked like a swamp. In difficult conditions, the Germans were more fortunate: Gerd Muller scored the only goal in the 76th minute.

In the final, the German national team met with the Netherlands and conceded already in the second minute, but bounced back and took the lead in the first half. Muller scored the decisive goal (2:1). The Germans were the first to win both the old and the new World Cup.

1978 - Argentina

Venue: Argentina.

The Argentina national team celebrates winning the home World Cup in Buenos Aires, photo: AP Images

In the 1978 World Cup at home, Argentina played without 17-year-old Diego Maradona. The Argentines' rivals in the group stage were Italy, France and Hungary. In the first two matches, the judges "helped" the Argentines. In the first game, two Hungarian players were sent off, after which Argentina pulled out a victory in the end (2:1). In the second match, the referee appointed a dubious penalty against the French team, and the Argentines won again (2:1). The third match did not decide anything, and the Argentines lost it to the Italians (0:1).

In the second group stage, the Argentines met with Brazil, Poland and Peru. As in the previous World Cup, the first place in this group led the team to the final, the second meant the match for bronze. The Argentines beat Poland (2:0) and drew with Brazil (0:0). After two rounds, Argentina was in second place in the group, and Brazil was first, ahead of the Argentines only in the difference between goals scored and conceded by 1 goal.

The Brazilians completed the last round match before the Argentines, won it (3:1) and came out on top. To get ahead of the Brazilians and reach the final, the Argentines needed to beat Peru by 4 goals or more.

Argentina won 6-0 against Peru, which angered the Brazilians - they considered the match fixed. In the final, Argentina beat the Netherlands 3-1 after extra time. Mario Kempes scored two goals and also provided an assist to Bertoni. Kempes received the Golden Boot, and the Argentina national team - the first victory at the World Cup.

1982 - Italy

Venue: Spain.

Italy captain and goalkeeper Dino Zoff holding the trophy after defeating West Germany, photo: AP Images

For the first time, 24 teams played at the World Cup. The Italians with great difficulty left the first group round, having played all the matches in a draw: with Poland (0:0), with Peru (1:1) and with Cameroon (1:1). Italy finished in second place only thanks to the fact that they scored two goals, and Cameroon only one. In the second group round, Italy played defending champions Argentina and brilliant Brazilians, who won all their group matches by a 10-2 overall goal difference. Italy defeated Argentina with 21-year-old Maradona (2:1). Paolo Rossi scored three goals against the Brazilian national team, and Italy won (3:2) and advanced to the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals, Rossi scored two unanswered goals against the Poles (2:0), and in the final he contributed with one goal to the victory over the German national team (3:1). Italy won the World Cup for the third time and caught up with Brazil in the number of cups.

Italian captain Dino Zoff is the first football player in history to win the World Cup at the age of 40.

1986 - Argentina

Venue: Mexico.

Diego Maradona holds the FIFA World Cup after a 3-2 victory over West Germany, photo: AP Images

Mexico is the first country to host the World Cup for the second time in history. It was the Maradona championship: he was at the peak of his career, and even the national team coach Carlos Bilardo remained at the helm of the team at the World Cup thanks to the intervention of Diego. At this tournament, the format was changed: after the group stage, playoffs were played from the 1/8 finals. In the group stage, Argentina beat South Korea 3-1, drew with Italy 1-1 and beat Bulgaria 2-0 to take first place in the group.

Maradona began scoring goals at the World Cup from the 1/4 stage. Diego scored two goals for the British and brought victory to Argentina (2:1). The first goal was scored with a hand, but the referee did not notice this. But the second goal was the best goal of the 20th century: Maradona started the pass with the ball from his own half of the field, and along the way he beat all the opponents and the English goalkeeper.

Maradona also scored two goals against the Belgians in the semi-finals. The Argentines won the final against the German national team with a score of 3: 2, on the 84th minute Burruchaga scored the winning goal. Argentina for the second and last time became the world champion.

1990 - Germany

Venue: Italy.

West Germany captain Lothar Matthäus holding the FIFA World Cup in 1990, photo: AP Images

At this tournament, the German national team last played as a separate team. In the fall of 1990, the FRG and the GDR merged, after which the only German national team appeared.

The Germans started the tournament by defeating their opponents in the group. Yugoslavia was beaten 4:1, the UAE - 5:1, and only with Colombia did they draw 1:1. In the 1/8 the Netherlands went home after the goals of Klinsman and Brehme (2:1), in the 1/4 the German team beat Czechoslovakia 1:0, scoring the only goal from the penalty spot. The semi-final with the British ended in a penalty shoot-out, the Germans converted all four penalties, the British did not score twice and missed Germany in the final.

In the final, as in the last World Cup, Germany and Argentina met. The German national team won the final thanks to a converted penalty in the 85th minute of the match. This is the first time at the World Cup when only one goal was scored in the final. The German national team became the world champion for the third time, and Beckenbauer was the second in history to win the World Cup both as a player and as a coach (the first was the Brazilian Mario Zagalo).

1994 - Brazil

Venue: USA.

Brazil captain Dunga lifts the trophy at the Rose Bowl Stadium in the US, photo: Getty Images

The Brazilian national team at the previous three World Cups did not go beyond the 1/4 finals. In the US, the Brazilians beat Russia (2:0), Cameroon (3:0) in the group stage and tied with Sweden (1:1). In the 1/8 finals, Brazil narrowly defeated the United States thanks to Bebeto's goal (1:0). In the quarter-finals with the Netherlands, Branco's goal in the 81st minute (3:2) decided everything. In the semi-finals, Brazil again played Sweden and won thanks to a single goal from Romario in the 81st minute.

In the final, the Brazilians were opposed by Italy with Baggio and Baresi in the squad. For the first time in the final of the World Cup, a penalty shoot-out was punched. Roberto Baggio's miss was decisive, and the Brazilians became world champions for the fourth time.

Baggio's penalty miss:

1998 - France

Venue: France.

The French celebrate their victory over the Brazilians in the 1998 World Cup final, photo: AP Images

After the departure of the legendary generation with Jean Tigana, Jean-Pierre Papin and Michel Platini, the French began a decline, due to which they missed the final stages of two world championships. The French team qualified automatically for the home championship.

The composition for the World Cup was combative: Fabien Barthez, Laurent Blanc, Lilian Thuram, Didier Deschamps, Zinedine Zidane and Emmanuel Petit. And also young Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and Patrick Vieira.

The French team scored a lot and almost did not miss. For the entire championship, the French conceded only two goals: one - in the group stage from the Danes from the penalty spot, and the second - in the semi-finals from the Croatian team. The French left the group from the first place, having won all three matches: with South Africa (3:0), Saudi Arabia (4:0) and Denmark (2:1).

In the 1/8 finals, the French defeated Paraguay only thanks to a golden goal in extra time. In the quarter-finals, the French team defeated Italy after a penalty shoot-out (Bagio scored, unlike the 1994 World Cup final, but Di Biagio did not score). And with the Croats in the semi-final, defender Thuram unexpectedly scored two goals (2: 1). These goals were the only ones in Thuram's career for the national team.

In the final, the struggle did not work out: the French crushed the Brazilians (3:0). Zidane scored twice, and in the 93rd minute put an end to Petit. It was the first victory for the French at the World Cup.

The Brazilians said that Ronaldo had an epileptic seizure the night before the game. Despite feeling unwell, Zubastik entered the field, but could not help the national team.

2002 - Brazil

Venue: South Korea and Japan.

Brazil after beating Germany 2-0 in Yokohama, photo: ANTONIO SCORZA/AFP/Getty Images

At this World Cup, the Koreans reached the semi-finals thanks to a series of controversial refereeing decisions, knocking out Italy and Spain in the playoffs. The Brazilians, after the failure at the 1998 World Cup, came for the fifth victory at the World Cup. Brazil won all three matches in the group, beating Turkey (2:1), China (4:0) and Costa Rica (5:2).

In the 1/8 finals, the Brazilians beat the Belgians 2-0 thanks to goals from Rivaldo and Ronaldo. In the quarter-finals, Brazil beat England 2-1, with 22-year-old Ronaldinho scoring the decisive goal. In the semi-finals, the Brazilians once again beat Turkey thanks to a single goal from Ronaldo.

In the final, Brazil beat Germany thanks to the same Ronaldo, who upset Oliver Kahn twice and gave Brazil the nickname "pentacampeons".

Pentacampeons is the nickname of the Brazil national football team. The Brazilians have won the World Cup five times, which is why they are called that. Penta - five, campeons - champions. Pentacampeons are five-time champions.

2006 - Italy

Venue: Germany.

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro holding the trophy after beating France, photo: Getty Images

The Italian team came to the 2006 World Cup after a scandal in Serie A, when Juventus were sent to the lower league due to bribing referees. Five internationals have represented Juventus: Buffon, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Camoranesi and Del Piero. At the World Cup, Italian coach Marcello Lippi managed to set up the team: despite problems in Italy, the team won the tournament. Italy conceded only two goals in the entire championship, repeating the record of the French in 1998. The Italians scored one goal themselves in the match against the United States in the group stage, and the second goal was conceded already in the final from Zidane from the penalty spot.

The Italians advanced from the group after beating Ghana and the Czech Republic (2-0 in both matches) and drawing against the USA (1-1). In the round of 16, Italy narrowly beat Guus Hiddink's Australia thanks to a 95th-minute penalty. In the 1/4, the Italians dealt with Ukraine without any problems (3:0), but in the semi-finals with the Germans it took extra time after 0:0 in the main hour and a half. Grosso scored in the 119th minute, and two minutes later Del Piero put an end to it - Italy went to the final, where France and Zidane were waiting for it.

The final match of the World Cup was the last for Zidane for the French national team. Zidane opened the scoring from the penalty spot, Materazzi equalized, and the regular time of the match ended 1-1. In the 110th minute, Materazzi provoked Zidane, the Frenchman butted the Italian in the chest, for which he received a red card. Already without Zidane, the French team reached the penalty shoot-out, in which only Trezeguet did not score, hammering the ball into the crossbar. Italy won the fourth World Cup in history.

Penalty by David Trezeguet:

2010 - Spain

Venue: South Africa.

Spaniards with a trophy on the plane on the way home from South Africa, photo: Getty Images

The Spaniards arrived at the 2010 World Cup in the rank of European champions, but lost the first match of the group stage to Switzerland (0:1). Then they beat Honduras thanks to two goals from David Villa (2:0) and the Chile national team (2:1) - one goal was scored again by Villa, the second by Iniesta.

The Spaniards went through the entire playoff with a 1-0 victory, beating Portugal, Paraguay, Germany and the Netherlands in the final. For the entire championship, the Spanish team conceded only two goals in the group stage: one each from Switzerland and Chile. In the final, the Spaniards scored only in extra time: Iniesta scored in the 116th minute.

At the 2010 World Cup, the Italian team failed, which came to defend the title. The Italians set the country's anti-record by finishing last in the group for the first time. Italy's opponents in the group stage were Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand.

2014 - Germany

Venue: Brazil.

The German national team celebrates winning the 2014 World Cup, photo: Getty Images

The German national team began the World Cup with a 4-0 defeat of Portugal, after which it drew with Ghana (2:2) and beat the USA (1:0), which allowed them to leave the group from the first place. In the 1/8 finals, Germany narrowly defeated Algeria in extra time (2:1). Germany beat France 1-0 in the quarter-finals thanks to a goal from Hummels.

The semi-final was a complete disaster for Brazil, who played without Neymar and Thiago Silva. Even in the first half, the Germans sent five unanswered goals to the Brazilians, and in the second they added two more. The Brazilians responded to this with only one ball in the 90th minute. The victory of the Germans 7:1 was the largest in the history of the World Cup playoffs.

In the final against Argentina, Götze scored the first and only goal in the 113th minute. The German national team became the first European country to win the World Cup in America. It was also the first victory of a united Germany at the World Cup.

2018 - France

Venue: Russia.

The French team celebrates victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, photo: fifa.com

France got off to a rocky start in the group stage, beating Australia 2-1 on penalties and an own goal. In the second match against Peru, the French won 1:0, and the last match of the group stage with the Danes was one of the most boring in the championship, it ended with a score of 0:0, which suited both teams.

The 2018 World Cup was the first to be held in Eastern Europe. It was also the first World Championship to use the Video Assistance Referee (VAR) system.

In the 1/8 finals, France lost to Argentina during the match 1:2, but Pavard's gorgeous ball returned the French to the game, which ended in their favor (4:3).

Benjamin Pavard's goal against Argentina:

In the 1/4 finals, the French beat Uruguay (2:0) thanks to goals from Varane and Griezmann. In the semi-finals, France defeated Belgium (1:0). In the final, the French met with the Croatian national team. The match ended with a score of 4:2, and the French became world champions for the second time.

At the 2018 World Cup, the national teams set a new record for the number of penalties. The number of penalty kicks has grown from 18 to 29 for the entire championship. Such a jump was due to VAR: the referees began to review the dynamic moments in the penalty area and appointed penalties more often.

All World Cup Winners

With over 4 billion fans, it is by far the most popular sport in the world. The dominance of football on the planet is so obvious that the first place is no surprise to anyone. Football has received the main distribution in Europe, where for many it has become not just a game, but a way of life. The FIFA World Cup is the most iconic event in this sport.

History of the World Cup

It all started back in 1904, when on May 21, in Paris, a constituent assembly of representatives of France, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Spain took place with the aim of creating an international football federation, better known as FIFA. The final tournaments of the world championships are held every at 4 years old, like the Olympic Games. The exception was the forties, when two competitions were missed due to the Second World War.

The final tournament, which takes place every 4 years for about a month in a pre-selected host country of the championship, has been attended by 32 teams since 1998 (31 teams that received such a right following the results of the qualifying tournament, and the national team of the host country (since 1938 ); theoretically, the tournament can be hosted by more than one country, but in more than 85 years of history, FIFA has entrusted two countries to host the World Cup only once. At the moment, the history of the World Cup has 20 tournaments.

1. History of the World Cup

World Cup Cup

The Football World Cup has always stood and will stand apart in a number of sports trophies: its history is honored by both football players and fans, and the myths and legends associated with the main football prize often make athletes perform feats. Who and how created the FIFA World Cup ™ Cup and what stories this trophy fell into:

1. Until 1970, the winners were awarded the Jules Rimet Prize (or Jules Rimet Cup), originally called "Victory".
2. In 1929, the third president of FIFA, Jules Rimet, agreed to hold the first world football tournament, and a year later he presented the cup to the Uruguayan team - the first victors of the World Cup.
3. After the Second World War, the cup became officially named Rome. The prize was an image of the ancient Greek goddess of victory, holding an octagonal bowl over her head. The statuette weighing 3.8 kg was made of gilded silver, and its base was made of lapis lazuli. The trophy was often referred to as the "Golden Goddess".
4. By the beginning of World War II, the cup was in storage with the Italians, the 1938 world champions. Because of the confusion that was going on in the country and the danger that threatened the precious trophy, the president of the Italian Football Federation, Ottorino Barassi, decided to steal. He secretly removed the cup from a bank vault and hid it in a shoe box under his bed, fearing that the prize might fall into the hands of the Nazis. But they managed to save it and already in 1950 to transfer it to the first post-war champions - the Uruguayan national team.
5. At the ninth world championship, which took place in Mexico in June 1970, the Brazilian team became the champion for the third time. According to the FIFA rules in force at that time, the cup was forever given to the winners.
6. In 1970 the cup moved to Brazil. In December 1983, the world was shocked by the message - the Greek goddess of victory is no more. Attackers stole the cup from the building of the Brazilian Football Confederation in Rio de Janeiro. Can't find cup
7. After the transfer of the Jules Rimet Prize, FIFA Brazilians had to order a new trophy. In 1971, a competition for models of the future cup was announced, 53 sculptors from seven countries sent their sketches. Gazzaniga, who later became the author of the cup.

Sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga working on the creation of the World Cup, 1971.

The Cup had differences from its predecessor:

• It was made of 18 carat gold weighing 5 kg.
• The height of the trophy is 36.5 cm and the total weight is 6.142 kg.
• The base of the award with a diameter of 13 cm is decorated with two layers of malachite, chosen to match the color of the football field.
• On the goblet itself, two human figures are depicted, which support the globe crowning the trophy with both hands.

Until 2006, the cup was given to the country that won the tournament, and it kept the trophy until the final draw of the FIFA World Cup. Now, under current FIFA rules, the trophy is not deposited with the winners, they are awarded the FIFA World Cup™ Winners' Cup.

The trophy itself has been kept since 2016 at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich and is displayed only during the Coca-Cola Trophy Tour, the final draw of the World Cup and during the final match of the tournament. In 2006, the Original FIFA World Cup began to travel around the world as part of its tour with FIFA partner Coca-Cola.

The first participation of our football players in the world's largest tournament took place at the sixth World Cup in Sweden. The debut was quite successful. Domestic athletes made it to the top eight teams on the planet, losing in the quarterfinals to the hosts with a score of 0-2. Four years later, the result was the same: relegation at the ¼ final stage. And again, the host team of the championship, the Chile national team, became an obstacle.

The most successful in the history of domestic football was the World Cup in England, where our team reached the semi-finals. In the future, such results could only be dreamed of.

The national teams of the USSR and Russia managed to qualify for the World Cup nine times. In 37 matches, domestic football players scored 17 victories and suffered 14 defeats, a draw was recorded six times. The best result of teams in world championships is 4th place in the 1966 tournament in England.

1. Win statistics

At the moment, the history of the World Cup has 20 tournaments, but only 8 teams have won the main award.

Most Wins:

• The Brazilian team has 5
• Close to them are the national teams of Germany and Italy, which have four victories each.

The best players in the history of world championships are:

• Germany striker Miroslav Klose. He has 16 goals scored.
• The largest number of personal victories in the assets of Pelé, who became the world champion three times as part of the Brazilian team.
• The greatest number of matches in the final series of international championships was held by the German footballer Lothar Matthäus.

The history of the World Cup continues its report. And the next world championship, which will be held in Russia, will add new facts to this story. This tournament promises to be interesting, spectacular and exciting. New stars will definitely light up on it and athletes known to everyone will shine

The FIFA World Cup is an international sports tournament held under the auspices of FIFA, in which the best national teams of the planet compete. , and since then the competition has been held every 4 years (in 1942 and 1946 the tournament was not held due to the events of World War II).

The winner of the first World Cup was Uruguay, who defeated Argentina 4:2 in the final game at the Estadio Centenario (Centenario). In total, 13 teams took part in the debut World Cup: 7 from South America, 4 from Europe and two from North and Central America. Since then, 20 more World Cups have taken place.

Table of all world football champions by year

Year	Tournament host	Winner	Check	Runners-up
1930	Uruguay	Uruguay	4-2	Argentina
1934	Italy	Italy	2-1 (extra time)	Czechoslovakia
1938	France	Italy	4-2	Hungary
1950	Brazil	Uruguay	2-1	Brazil
1954	Switzerland	West Germany	3-2	Hungary
1958	Sweden	Brazil	5-2	Sweden
1962	Chile	Brazil	3-1	Czechoslovakia
1966	England	England	4-2 (extra time)	West Germany
1970	Mexico	Brazil	4-1	Italy
1974	West Germany	West Germany	2-1	Netherlands
1978	Argentina	Argentina	3-1 (extra time)	Netherlands
1982	Spain	Italy	3-1	West Germany
1986	Mexico	Argentina	3-2	West Germany
1990	Italy	West Germany	1-0	Argentina
1994	USA	Brazil	0-0 (3-2 penalty shootout)	Italy
1998	France	France	3-0	Brazil
2002	Japan and South Korea	Brazil	2-0	Germany
2006	Germany	Italy	1-1 (5-3 penalty shootout)	France
2010	South Africa	Spain	1-0 (extra time)	Netherlands
2014	Brazil	Germany	1-0 (extra time)	Argentina
2018	Russia	France	4:2	Croatia

In the entire history, only 8 teams have won the World Cup. The most titled country of the World Cup is Brazil, which won the world football championship 5 times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002). The current world champion is the French team, which in the final match of the 2018 World Cup defeated the Croats with a score of 4: 2.

Below is a table of winners by country:

Note: Germany has been world champion three times as West Germany (1954, 1974 and 1990).

Some interesting facts about the World Cup

According to the current format, 32 national teams are participants in the final part of the World Cup. As mentioned above, 13 teams competed at the first World Cup. From 1934 to 1978 - 16. In 1982, the number of participants was increased to 24 teams.

The current current format consists of 32 teams. It was first presented at the 1998 World Cup in France. In 2026, 48 teams will take part in the final part of the World Cup.

Germany's Miroslav Klose is the top scorer in World Cup history. He has 16 goals scored. In second place is the Brazilian Ronaldo with 15 goals. A complete list of the best goal scorers of the World Cup can be viewed.

The record holder for the number of matches played at the World Cup is the midfielder of the German national team Lothar Matthäus (25 games). Behind Matthäus is his compatriot Miroslav Klose (24 games). Closes the top three of the best Italian national team legend Paulo Maldini (23 games).