World Cup History
The 2010 World Cup has started, let's recap the last 18 that have already played. The game started in1930, and has evolved since then. It is definitely certain that each one surpasses the last, and each one holds their own histories and memories. I am also certain that the World Cup in South Africa will be no different. the trophy is 35 centimeters in height and weighed 3.8 kilograms; it was officially renamed in 1946 to honor the FIFA president Jules Rimet and carried his name until 1974. Under FIFA's ruling a team has to keep the trophy after winning the Cup 3 times, Brazil was the first to own a trophy out right, most specially Jules Rimet original trophy. Since then, the teams that won the cup three times received a replica of the trophy. Let's pay tribute to Jules Rimet, the man who originally came with the idea of the World Cup, and the great players who have played the game and paved the way for the coming stars of 2010.
1930
Host: Uruguay
Participants: 13 teams
FIFA president: Jules Rimet
Finalists: Uruguay, Argentina
Winner: Uruguay 4-2
That was the only year qualifications were not required, 13 teams got invited by the soccer body (FIFA). The first goal ever ever scored in World Cup history was by the French player Lucien Laurent in the 19th minute of France's game 4-1 win over Mexico. The top scorer of the tournament was Guillermo Stabile from Argentina with 8 goals.
1934
Host: Italy
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA President: Jules Rimet
Finalists: Italy, Czechoslovakia
Winner: Italy 2-1
Top scorer was Oldrich Nejedly from Czechoslovakia with 5 goals. No rules where in place to prevent players to play for multiples countries. Italy's side featured many players who have played four years earlier for Argentina.
Host: Italy
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA President: Jules Rimet
Finalists: Italy, Czechoslovakia
Winner: Italy 2-1
Top scorer was Oldrich Nejedly from Czechoslovakia with 5 goals. No rules where in place to prevent players to play for multiples countries. Italy's side featured many players who have played four years earlier for Argentina.
1938
Host: France
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Jules Rimet
Finalist: Italy, Hungary
Winner: Italy 4-2
Top scorer was Leonidas from Brazil with 8 goals. Leonidas became the first player to score 4 goals, in a game, against Poland. Countries got together for the world Cup, but divided into wars that will shutdown the competition for 12 years.
Host: France
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Jules Rimet
Finalist: Italy, Hungary
Winner: Italy 4-2
Top scorer was Leonidas from Brazil with 8 goals. Leonidas became the first player to score 4 goals, in a game, against Poland. Countries got together for the world Cup, but divided into wars that will shutdown the competition for 12 years.
1942 World war II (No World Cup games)
1946 Post World
War II (No World Cup games)
1950
Host: Brazil
Participants: 13 teams
FIFA president: Jules Rimet
Finalists: Uruguay, Brazil
Winner: Uruguay 2-1
A shocking final because Brazil only needed a tie to be crowned the new World Cup champion, but failed to do so. Because of the aftermath devastation of the war and the political instability of most of Europe, only 13 teams participated in this world Cup. Top scorer was Ademir from Brazil with 9 goals. Ademir became the second player to score 4 goals in a game, against Sweden (7-1). The biggest upset came when the United States beat England 1-0. The 1950 World Cup was a rebirth of the tournament, there was no more boycott and distraction of the game moving forward. The game was about to take a new dimension.
Host: Brazil
Participants: 13 teams
FIFA president: Jules Rimet
Finalists: Uruguay, Brazil
Winner: Uruguay 2-1
A shocking final because Brazil only needed a tie to be crowned the new World Cup champion, but failed to do so. Because of the aftermath devastation of the war and the political instability of most of Europe, only 13 teams participated in this world Cup. Top scorer was Ademir from Brazil with 9 goals. Ademir became the second player to score 4 goals in a game, against Sweden (7-1). The biggest upset came when the United States beat England 1-0. The 1950 World Cup was a rebirth of the tournament, there was no more boycott and distraction of the game moving forward. The game was about to take a new dimension.
1954
Host: Switzerland
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Jules Rimet
Finalist: Hungary, West Germany
Winner: West Germany 3-2
A magnificent comeback by West Germany to win the final after a 2-0 deficit. This game was referred to as the “Miracle of Berne”. A true revolution, the World Cup has made it on Television networks, broadcasted locally. Teams were willing to participate as they did not worry anymore about long journeys (boat trips) to the host country. Stars started to emerge from different team, especially Hungary who was Olympic champion 2 years earlier, among them Puskas, and Kocsis. Top score was Sandor Kocsis from Hungary with 11 goals.
Host: Switzerland
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Jules Rimet
Finalist: Hungary, West Germany
Winner: West Germany 3-2
A magnificent comeback by West Germany to win the final after a 2-0 deficit. This game was referred to as the “Miracle of Berne”. A true revolution, the World Cup has made it on Television networks, broadcasted locally. Teams were willing to participate as they did not worry anymore about long journeys (boat trips) to the host country. Stars started to emerge from different team, especially Hungary who was Olympic champion 2 years earlier, among them Puskas, and Kocsis. Top score was Sandor Kocsis from Hungary with 11 goals.
1958
Host: Sweden
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Arthur Drewry
Finalists: Brazil, Sweden
Winner: Brazil 5-2
The world was able to watch the World Cup on television, coincidentally enough a star was born, Edson Arentes Donascimento a.k.a Pele (Brazil) who’s forever changed the game and remains a soccer icon until today. But there were other stars who emerged: Just Fontaine from France, Garrincha, Didi, Vava from Brazil, Lennart Skoglund and Kurt Hamrin from Sweden. Top scorer was Just Fontaine from France with 13 goals. From then on, every country and their fans have one great event to look forward for every 4 years, the World Cup.
Host: Sweden
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Arthur Drewry
Finalists: Brazil, Sweden
Winner: Brazil 5-2
The world was able to watch the World Cup on television, coincidentally enough a star was born, Edson Arentes Donascimento a.k.a Pele (Brazil) who’s forever changed the game and remains a soccer icon until today. But there were other stars who emerged: Just Fontaine from France, Garrincha, Didi, Vava from Brazil, Lennart Skoglund and Kurt Hamrin from Sweden. Top scorer was Just Fontaine from France with 13 goals. From then on, every country and their fans have one great event to look forward for every 4 years, the World Cup.
1962
Host: Chile
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Stanley Rous
Finalists: Brasil, Czechoslovakia
Winner: Brazil 2-1
Chile won the bid for the World Cup despite an earthquake that devastated the country. The fans were waiting for the return of Pele, but he got injured in the second game of the tournament and was out for the remaining of the games. Many players share the top scoring position, among them Garrincha from Brazil with 4 goals. Not a pretty and artistic World Cup because of unsportman like conduct between teams and players.
Host: Chile
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Stanley Rous
Finalists: Brasil, Czechoslovakia
Winner: Brazil 2-1
Chile won the bid for the World Cup despite an earthquake that devastated the country. The fans were waiting for the return of Pele, but he got injured in the second game of the tournament and was out for the remaining of the games. Many players share the top scoring position, among them Garrincha from Brazil with 4 goals. Not a pretty and artistic World Cup because of unsportman like conduct between teams and players.
1966
Host: England
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Stanley Rous
Finalists: England, West Germany
Winner: England 4-2
The trophy was stolen and recovered by a dog right before the tournament. The most controversial goal in the history of the World Cup was scored in the final by Geoff Hurst to bring England up 3-2. Again more stars emerged, Franz Beckenbauer from West Germany, Bobby Charlton from England, Eusebio who helped Portugal come back from a 3-0 deficit to beat North Korea a first time World Cup participant. Once more Pele succumbed to physical abuse from the opponents, he was taken out on a stretcher in the game against Portugal, and swore not to play a World Cup game ever again. Top scorer was Eusebio from Portugal with 9 goals.
Host: England
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Stanley Rous
Finalists: England, West Germany
Winner: England 4-2
The trophy was stolen and recovered by a dog right before the tournament. The most controversial goal in the history of the World Cup was scored in the final by Geoff Hurst to bring England up 3-2. Again more stars emerged, Franz Beckenbauer from West Germany, Bobby Charlton from England, Eusebio who helped Portugal come back from a 3-0 deficit to beat North Korea a first time World Cup participant. Once more Pele succumbed to physical abuse from the opponents, he was taken out on a stretcher in the game against Portugal, and swore not to play a World Cup game ever again. Top scorer was Eusebio from Portugal with 9 goals.
Host: Mexico
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Stanley Rous
Finalists: Brazil, Italy
Winner: Brazil 4-2
The Jules Rimet Trophy, awarded to the winner of the World Cup, became the permanent possession of Brazil following the 1970 tournament. A three time World Cup winner gets to keep the trophy forever. The game for the first time was televised in color. Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning side is regarded by most as the greatest soccer team of all time, among the many talents were Pele, Jairzinho, Tostao, Rivelino, Gerson, and Carlos Alberto. Top scorer was Gerd Muller from West Germany with 10 goals.
1974
Host: West Germany
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: West Germany, Holland
Winner: West Germany 2-1
New teams continue to emerge like Haiti, Zaire, Australia. Haiti going 1-0 against soccer power Italy in their opening game, but the celebration did not last long because Italy proved to be too much for Haiti, first time World Cup participant, by scoring 3 consecutive goals. Pele did not return after winning the cup 3 times with Brazil, the Pele dynasty ended in 1970. New players surfaced, Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens lead Holland to the final, Lato from Poland. Top scorer was Grzegorz Lato from Poland with 7 goals.
Host: West Germany
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: West Germany, Holland
Winner: West Germany 2-1
New teams continue to emerge like Haiti, Zaire, Australia. Haiti going 1-0 against soccer power Italy in their opening game, but the celebration did not last long because Italy proved to be too much for Haiti, first time World Cup participant, by scoring 3 consecutive goals. Pele did not return after winning the cup 3 times with Brazil, the Pele dynasty ended in 1970. New players surfaced, Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens lead Holland to the final, Lato from Poland. Top scorer was Grzegorz Lato from Poland with 7 goals.
1978
Host: Argentina
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: Argentina, Holland
Winner: Argentina 2-1
Some teams have threatened to boycott the world Cup because of political instability at the time in Argentina and Civil right infringement, but the differences got settled and the tournament went on. Rob Rensenbrink from Holland scored the 1,000th in World Cup history, in a game against Scotland. The score 6-0 of Argentina against Peru remain a controversy until today, because Argentina needed exactly 4 goals to advance to the final over Brazil. Top scorer was Mario Kempes from Argentina with 6 goals.
Host: Argentina
Participants: 16 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: Argentina, Holland
Winner: Argentina 2-1
Some teams have threatened to boycott the world Cup because of political instability at the time in Argentina and Civil right infringement, but the differences got settled and the tournament went on. Rob Rensenbrink from Holland scored the 1,000th in World Cup history, in a game against Scotland. The score 6-0 of Argentina against Peru remain a controversy until today, because Argentina needed exactly 4 goals to advance to the final over Brazil. Top scorer was Mario Kempes from Argentina with 6 goals.
1982
Host: Spain
Participants: 24 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: Italy, West Germany
Winner: Italy 3-1
As it is evident, every World Cup so far created its own history. This time again, a new star was born, Maradona who was left from the Argentina’s roster 4 years earlier at the age of 17, was now in the spotlight, some believed it was the second coming of Pele. On the other side of South America, the talk was about the Brazilian team that was highly compared to the legendary team of 1970, if not better. A lineup that displayed Zico, Socrates, Cerezo and Falcao. But the irony was the 1982 Brazilian squad never won the Cup, their over confidence cost them dearly, in their game against Italy, where a mere tie would send them to the final, but Paolo Rossi became the Italian icon that day by scoring 3 goals, in a 3-2 win, that gave Italy the right to the final against West Germany. Top scorer was Paolo Rossi from Italy with 6 goals.
Host: Spain
Participants: 24 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: Italy, West Germany
Winner: Italy 3-1
As it is evident, every World Cup so far created its own history. This time again, a new star was born, Maradona who was left from the Argentina’s roster 4 years earlier at the age of 17, was now in the spotlight, some believed it was the second coming of Pele. On the other side of South America, the talk was about the Brazilian team that was highly compared to the legendary team of 1970, if not better. A lineup that displayed Zico, Socrates, Cerezo and Falcao. But the irony was the 1982 Brazilian squad never won the Cup, their over confidence cost them dearly, in their game against Italy, where a mere tie would send them to the final, but Paolo Rossi became the Italian icon that day by scoring 3 goals, in a 3-2 win, that gave Italy the right to the final against West Germany. Top scorer was Paolo Rossi from Italy with 6 goals.
1986
Host: Mexico
Participants: 24 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: Argentina, West Germany
Winner: Argentina 3-2
Maradona failed 4 years earlier, but came in top form this time around to help Argentina win the Cup. His “hand of God” goal against England proved that he could score with whatever means necessary. Few minutes after scoring with his hand, Maradona scored legitimately again, with what many consider not only the greatest goal ever at the World Cup, but also the greatest in the history of the game. Top scorer was Gary Lineker from England with 6 goals.
Host: Mexico
Participants: 24 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: Argentina, West Germany
Winner: Argentina 3-2
Maradona failed 4 years earlier, but came in top form this time around to help Argentina win the Cup. His “hand of God” goal against England proved that he could score with whatever means necessary. Few minutes after scoring with his hand, Maradona scored legitimately again, with what many consider not only the greatest goal ever at the World Cup, but also the greatest in the history of the game. Top scorer was Gary Lineker from England with 6 goals.
1990
Host: Italy
Participants: 24 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: Argentina, West Germany
Winner West Germany 1-0. Argentina and West Germany had a repeat of 1986, but this time it was West Germany who had the upper hand, they became the third country to win the Cup 3 times joining Brazil and Italy. Cameron was the biggest revelation of this tournament, they battled against England in the quarter final and finally succumbed to the heavy weight by a score 3-2, thanks to Roger Milla who became the oldest player to score at a World Cup (4 goals), at the age of 38. The 1990 competition went to the book as the lowest scoring World Cup ever, due to the defensive style of the teams. This was the last time West Germany participated in the World Cup as “west Germany”. Top scorer was Salvatore Schillaci from Italy with 6 goals.
Host: Italy
Participants: 24 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: Argentina, West Germany
Winner West Germany 1-0. Argentina and West Germany had a repeat of 1986, but this time it was West Germany who had the upper hand, they became the third country to win the Cup 3 times joining Brazil and Italy. Cameron was the biggest revelation of this tournament, they battled against England in the quarter final and finally succumbed to the heavy weight by a score 3-2, thanks to Roger Milla who became the oldest player to score at a World Cup (4 goals), at the age of 38. The 1990 competition went to the book as the lowest scoring World Cup ever, due to the defensive style of the teams. This was the last time West Germany participated in the World Cup as “west Germany”. Top scorer was Salvatore Schillaci from Italy with 6 goals.
1994
Host: USA
Participants: 24 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: Brazil, Italy
Winner: Brazil 3-2 on penalty kicks
A very successful World Cup despite worry of the organizers, due to the popularity of Soccer in the US at the time, and the first final to be decided by penalty shootout in World Cup history. The final between Brazil and Italy was very important for both teams as the fourth trophy was on the line for either one, a battle between Romario from Brazil and Roberto Bagio from Italy. This World Cup featured the first game to be played indoors (Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit). Top scorers were Hristo Stoitchkov from Bulgaria and Oleg Salenko from Russia with 6 goals each.
Host: USA
Participants: 24 teams
FIFA president: Joao Havelange
Finalists: Brazil, Italy
Winner: Brazil 3-2 on penalty kicks
A very successful World Cup despite worry of the organizers, due to the popularity of Soccer in the US at the time, and the first final to be decided by penalty shootout in World Cup history. The final between Brazil and Italy was very important for both teams as the fourth trophy was on the line for either one, a battle between Romario from Brazil and Roberto Bagio from Italy. This World Cup featured the first game to be played indoors (Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit). Top scorers were Hristo Stoitchkov from Bulgaria and Oleg Salenko from Russia with 6 goals each.
1998
Host: France
Participants: 32 teams
FIFA president: Sepp Blatter
Finalists: France, Brazil
Winner: France 3-0
France was crowned the World Cup champion for the first time, Zinedine Zidane denied the Brazilians a forth World Cup win, despite having the best striker in the world, Ronaldo. In that World Cup the "golden goal" became a rule for games that went to extra time. The game was finally back playing in France were the idea of the World Cup came, from a man named Jules Rimet, after 68 years. Top scorer was Davor Suker from Croatia with 6 goals.
Host: France
Participants: 32 teams
FIFA president: Sepp Blatter
Finalists: France, Brazil
Winner: France 3-0
France was crowned the World Cup champion for the first time, Zinedine Zidane denied the Brazilians a forth World Cup win, despite having the best striker in the world, Ronaldo. In that World Cup the "golden goal" became a rule for games that went to extra time. The game was finally back playing in France were the idea of the World Cup came, from a man named Jules Rimet, after 68 years. Top scorer was Davor Suker from Croatia with 6 goals.
2002
Host: South Korea and Japan
Participants 32 teams
FIFA president: Sepp Blatter
Finalists: Brazil, Germany
Winner: Brazil 2-0
For the first time the World Cup played in two different countries. Brazil became a five time winner, and the only team that wins the World Cup in every continent it is played at. Top scorer was Ronaldo with 8 goals, in this tournament he tied Pele’s record of career goals scored in World Cup history (12 goals).
Host: South Korea and Japan
Participants 32 teams
FIFA president: Sepp Blatter
Finalists: Brazil, Germany
Winner: Brazil 2-0
For the first time the World Cup played in two different countries. Brazil became a five time winner, and the only team that wins the World Cup in every continent it is played at. Top scorer was Ronaldo with 8 goals, in this tournament he tied Pele’s record of career goals scored in World Cup history (12 goals).
2006
Host: Germany
Participants: 32 teams
FIFA president: Sepp Blatter
Finalists: France, Italy
Winner Italy 5-3 on penalty kicks
The game was decided on penalty kicks after regulation for the second time in World Cup soccer history. Despite a dramatic and a disappointing finish for soccer best Zinedine Zidane, he won the golden ball as the best player of the tournament. Top scorer was Miroslav Klose from Germany with 5 goals.
Host: Germany
Participants: 32 teams
FIFA president: Sepp Blatter
Finalists: France, Italy
Winner Italy 5-3 on penalty kicks
The game was decided on penalty kicks after regulation for the second time in World Cup soccer history. Despite a dramatic and a disappointing finish for soccer best Zinedine Zidane, he won the golden ball as the best player of the tournament. Top scorer was Miroslav Klose from Germany with 5 goals.
2010: ?