What Channel Will Carry the World Cup
World Cup
football tournament
Alternate titles: FIFA World Cup
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World Cup, formally FIFA World Cup, in football (soccer), quadrennial tournament that determines the sport's world champion. It is likely the most popular sporting event in the world, drawing billions of television viewers every tournament.
Discover the history behind the FIFA World Cup
Learn more about the history of the FIFA World Cup.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.See all videos for this articleThe first competition for the cup was organized in 1930 by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and was won by Uruguay. Held every four years since that time, except during World War II, the competition consists of international sectional tournaments leading to a final elimination event made up of 32 national teams. Unlike Olympic football, World Cup teams are not limited to players of a certain age or amateur status, so the competition serves more nearly as a contest between the world's best players. Referees are selected from lists that are submitted by all the national associations.
The trophy cup awarded from 1930 to 1970 was the Jules Rimet Trophy, named for the Frenchman who proposed the tournament. This cup was permanently awarded in 1970 to then three-time winner Brazil (1958, 1962, and 1970), and a new trophy called the FIFA World Cup was put up for competition. Many other sports have organized "World Cup" competitions.
Uruguay scoring its first goal in the World Cup final against Argentina, in Montevideo, Uruguay, July 30, 1930.
AP ImagesFor a list of World Cup champions, see table.
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| year | result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Won after extra time (AET). | ||||
| **Won on penalty kicks. | ||||
| 1930 | Uruguay | 4 | Argentina | 2 |
| 1934 | Italy* | 2 | Czechoslovakia | 1 |
| 1938 | Italy | 4 | Hungary | 2 |
| 1950 | Uruguay | 2 | Brazil | 1 |
| 1954 | West Germany | 3 | Hungary | 2 |
| 1958 | Brazil | 5 | Sweden | 2 |
| 1962 | Brazil | 3 | Czechoslovakia | 1 |
| 1966 | England* | 4 | West Germany | 2 |
| 1970 | Brazil | 4 | Italy | 1 |
| 1974 | West Germany | 2 | Netherlands | 1 |
| 1978 | Argentina* | 3 | Netherlands | 1 |
| 1982 | Italy | 3 | West Germany | 1 |
| 1986 | Argentina | 3 | West Germany | 2 |
| 1990 | West Germany | 1 | Argentina | 0 |
| 1994 | Brazil** | 0 | Italy | 0 |
| 1998 | France | 3 | Brazil | 0 |
| 2002 | Brazil | 2 | Germany | 0 |
| 2006 | Italy** | 1 | France | 1 |
| 2010 | Spain* | 1 | Netherlands | 0 |
| 2014 | Germany* | 1 | Argentina | 0 |
| 2018 | France | 4 | Croatia | 2 |
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
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Source: https://www.britannica.com/sports/World-Cup-football