World Cup Facts 1930-2006

1930 Uruguay
FIFA President Jules Rimet’s dream was realised as Uruguay hosted the inaugural FIFA World Cup in its centenary year. Only four European teams made the long sea journey and the Final was an all-South American affair, with Uruguay beating neighbours Argentina just as they had done in the 1928 Olympic final. Trailing at half-time, the hosts triumphed 4-2 in the newly built Estadio Centenario to become football’s first world champions.

Random Fact – The first World Cup was held in Uraguay in 1930, the final of the tournament was between Argentina and Uruguay. A leather football was used in the final match and taken by an Uruguayan team player. It may have even played a part in the outcome of the first world cup in 1930. Argentina and Uruguay could not agree on which ball to use. So they decided to use an Argentinean ball the first half and a ball supplied by Uruguay the second half. As it turned out, Argentina was ahead at halftime 2-1. However; Uruguay came back to win the match in the second half 4-2 using their ball!

Teams: 13
When: 13 July 1930 to 30 July 1930
Final: 30 July 1930
Matches: 18
Goals Scored: 70 (average 3.9 per match)
Attendance: 434500 (average 24138)
Winner: Uruguay
Runners-Up: Argentina
Third: USA
Fourth: Yugoslavia
Golden Shoe: Guillermo STABILE (ARG)

1934 Italy
Italy delighted their passionate home support by coming from behind to beat Czechoslovakia in the first FIFA World Cup Final played on European soil. Angelo Schiavio scored the winning goal for the Azzurri, who had overcome the highly-rated Austrian Wunderteam in the semi-finals. It was a tournament missing holders Uruguay, whose refusal to take part made them the first and only champions not to defend their crown

Random Fact – Egypt became the first African side to compete at the finals. It was another 36 years before the continent was next represented at the tournament.

Teams: 16
When: 27 May 1934 to 10 June 1934
Final: 10 June 1934
Matches: 17
Goals Scored: 70 (average 4.1 per match)
Attendance: 358000 (average 21058)
Winner: Italy
Runners-Up: Czechoslovakia Final Score Italy 2:1 Czechoslovakia
Third: Germany
Fourth: Austria
Golden Shoe: Oldrich NEJEDLY (TCH)

1938 France
Italy trainer Vittorio Pozzo made history by capturing a second successive title with a rebuilt team. With Silvio Piola’s goals and Giuseppe Meazza’s leadership, Italy beat Hungary in the Final having overcome in the semi-final a Brazil side missing top scorer Leonidas. Three of his strikes came in a 6-5 victory over Poland – the best match of a tournament notable for political tensions and the absence of some leading teams.

Random Fact – In their opener, Hungary eliminated the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), who are the only side to have played just one FIFA World Cup™ finals game.

Teams: 15
When: 04 June 1938 to 19 June 1938
Final: 19 June 1938
Matches: 18
Goals Scored: 84 (average 4.7 per match)
Attendance: 376000 (average 20888)
Winner: Italy
Runners-Up: Hungary Final Score Italy 4:2 Hungary
Third: Brazil
Fourth: Sweden
Golden Shoe: LEONIDAS (BRA)

1950 Brazil
Brazil’s determination to put on a show meant they built the world’s biggest football stadium, the Maracana, for the 1950 FIFA World Cup™. Yet their dream of becoming the world’s best died in that huge bowl, Uruguay capturing their second crown by beating the hosts in front of some 200,000 stunned spectators. It was not the only shock of a tournament where debutants England were humbled by the United States.

Random Fact – When the USA caused a huge upset by beating England 1-0, one British newspaper, assuming a misprint in the wires, reported that England had won 10-1.

Teams: 13
When: 24 June 1950 to 16 July 1950
Final: 16 July 1950
Matches: 22
Goals Scored: 88 (average 4.0 per match)
Attendance: 1043500 (average 47431)
Winner: Uruguay
Runners-Up: Brazil Final Score: Uruguay 2:1 Brazil
Third: Sweden
Fourth: Spain
Golden Shoe: ADEMIR (BRA)

1954 Switzerland
West Germany were surprise winners of the 1954 FIFA World Cup™, coming from two goals down to defeat Hungary in a Final forever remembered as the ‘Miracle of Berne’. Hungary were unbeaten in 31 matches and scored 25 goals en route to the Final – eight of them against the Germans in the first round. Yet it was Fritz Walter, not Ferenc Puskas who picked up the Jules Rimet Cup.

Random Fact – Switzerland took a 3-0 lead over Austria in their quarter-final, but the Austrians recovered to win 7-5. The 12-goal game remains a tournament record.

Teams: 16
When: 16 June 1954 to 04 July 1954
Final: 04 July 1954
Matches: 26
Goals Scored: 140 (average 5.4 per match)
Attendance: 889500 (average 34211)
Winner: Germany FR
Runners-Up: Hungary Final Score: Hungary 2: 3 Germany
Third: Austria
Fourth: Uruguay
Golden Shoe: Sandor KOCSIS (HUN)

1958 Sweden
Brazil were worthy winners, beating Czechoslovakia in the Final to retain their crown in a tournament that showcased the sublime skills of Garrincha. With Pele injured, Garrincha ensured his colleague’s absence was not felt, inspiring the Seleção to victory and finishing joint-top scorer in the process. This FIFA World Cup featured plenty else, including new 4-3-3 tactics and the infamous ‘Battle of Santiago’ between hosts Chile and Italy.

Random Fact – For the only time, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were all represented at the finals, with the latter pair reaching the quarter-finals.

Teams: 16
When: 08 June 1958 to 29 June 1958
Final: 29 June 1958
Matches: 35
Goals Scored: 126 (average 3.6 per match)
Attendance: 919580 (average 26273)
Winner: Brazil
Runners-Up: Sweden Final Score: Sweden 2: 5 Brazil
Third: France
Fourth: Germany FR
Golden Shoe: Just FONTAINE (FRA)

1962 Chile
Brazil were worthy winners, beating Czechoslovakia in the Final to retain their crown in a tournament that showcased the sublime skills of Garrincha. With Pele injured, Garrincha ensured his colleague’s absence was not felt, inspiring the Seleção to victory and finishing joint-top scorer in the process. This FIFA World Cup featured plenty else, including new 4-3-3 tactics and the infamous ‘Battle of Santiago’ between hosts Chile and Italy.

Random Fact – Brazil used a record low of 12 players during their title-winning campaign. Their squad also became the oldest to lift the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy.

Teams: 16
When: 30 May 1962 to 17 June 1962
Final: 17 June 1962
Matches: 32
Goals Scored: 89 (average 2.8 per match)
Attendance: 899074 (average 28096)
Winner: Brazil
Runners-Up: Czechoslovakia Final Score: Brazil 3: 1 Czechoslovakia
Third: Chile
Fourth: Yugoslavia
Golden Shoe: Florian ALBERT (HUN),
Valentin IVANOV (URS),
Drazen JERKOVIC (YUG),
Leonel SANCHEZ (CHI),
VAVA (BRA),
GARRINCHA (BRA)

1966 England
The country that invented football, England, finally found a formula for success on the world stage. Alf Ramsey’s ‘Wingless wonders’ overcame Final opponents West Germany thanks to Geoff Hurst’s historic hat-trick, though the debate over whether his middle strike crossed the line continues to this day. Eusebio was another scoring hero, his nine goals – four of them against Italy’s surprise conquerors, Korea DPR – taking Portugal to third place.

Random Fact – Pablo Forlan and Jean Djorkaeff were members of the Uruguay and France squads that squared off, just as their sons, Diego and Youri, were in 2002.

Teams: 16
When: 11 July 1966 to 30 July 1966
Final: 30 July 1966
Matches: 32
Goals Scored: 89 (average 2.8 per match)
Attendance: 1635000 (average 51093)
Winner: England
Runners-Up: Germany FR Final Score: England 4: Germany 2
Third: Portugal
Fourth: Soviet Union
Golden Shoe: EUSEBIO (Eusebio da Silva Ferreira) (POR)

1970 Mexico
For the first time the FIFA World Cup™ was broadcast in colour and nothing could match the brilliance of Brazil’s yellow shirts. With Pele rejuvenated and Jairzinho scoring in every game, Mario Zagallo’s men were unstoppable – they beat Italy handsomely in the Final and, with this third triumph, retained the Jules Rimet Cup. If Brazil’s tournament, others brought plenty to the party – not least ten-goal German marksman Gerd Muller.

Random Fact – Mexico’s Group 1 encounter against El Salvador was the first between two nations from the same continent other than Europe or South America.

Teams: 16
When: 31 May 1970 to 21 June 1970
Final: 21 June 1970
Matches: 32
Goals Scored: 95 (average 3.0 per match)
Attendance: 1603975 (average 50124)
Winner: Brazil
Runners-Up: Italy Final Score: Brazil 4: 1 Italy

1974 Germany
West Germany were champions on home soil – and as in 1954 their victory came at the expense of a team widely considered the world’s finest. Johan Cruyff’s Netherlands were favourites before the Final but the hosts, beaten earlier in their competition by their East German neighbours, recovered from a first-minute Dutch goal to win. It was also a memorable tournament for Poland whom Gregorz Lato fired to third place.

Random Fact – Scotland were the only side not to lose at game at the 1974 finals. No other side has ever won a match, remained unbeaten yet made a first phase exit.

Teams: 16
When: 13 June 1974 to 07 July 1974
Final: 07 July 1974
Matches: 38
Goals Scored: 97 (average 2.6 per match)
Attendance: 1768152 (average 46530)
Winner: Germany FR
Runners-Up: Netherlands Final Score: Germany 2:1 Netherlands
Third: Poland
Fourth: Brazil
Golden Shoe: Grzegorz LATO (POL)
Third: Germany FR
Fourth: Uruguay
Golden Shoe: Gerd MUELLER (GER)

1978 Argentina
Hosts Argentina captured their first world title as the Netherlands suffered Final heartache for the second tournament running. Mario Kempes sealed Cesar Luis Menotti’s side’s triumph, scoring twice against the Dutch in the confetti-strewn cauldron of the Estadio Monumental to earn himself additional acclaim as top scorer. Brazil, denied a Final place by Argentina’s 6-0 win over Peru, took third place from an enterprising Italy side.

Random Fact – Laszlo Kiss became the first substitute to net a hat-trick, the fastest in finals history, to help Hungary post a record 10-1 win over El Salvador.

Teams: 16
When: 01 June 1978 to 25 June 1978
Final: 25 June 1978
Matches: 38
Goals Scored: 102 (average 2.7 per match)
Attendance: 1546151 (average 40688)
Winner: Argentina
Runners-Up: Netherlands Final Score: Argentina 3:1 Netherlands
Third: Brazil
Fourth: Italy

1982 Spain
Paolo Rossi was the hero in Spain, his six goals propelling Italy to a third world crown. The Azzurri ran out 3-1 Final winners against a German team who had survived the competition’s first penalty shoot-out in a dramatic semi-final against France. If Italy won gold, Brazil took a share of the glory for some scintillating football before succumbing to Rossi’s hat-trick in the best game of this first 24-team finals.

Random Fact – Norman Whiteside became the youngest player to appear in a finals game, turning out for Northern Ireland against Yugoslavia aged 17 years and 41 days

Teams: 24
When: 13 June 1982 to 11 July 1982
Final: 11 July 1982
Matches: 52
Goals Scored: 146 (average 2.8 per match)
Attendance: 2109723 (average 40571)
Winner: Italy
Runners-Up: Germany FR Final Score: Italy 3 : 1 Germany
Third: Poland
Fourth: France
adidas Golden Ball: Paolo ROSSI (ITA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Paolo ROSSI (ITA)
FIFA Fair Play award: Brazil
Golden Shoe: Mario KEMPES (ARG)
Best Young Player Award: Antonio CABRINI (ITA)
FIFA Fair Play award: Argentina

1986 Mexico
The FIFA World Cup™ returned to Mexico for a tournament marked by the mastery of Diego Maradona. Argentina overcame West Germany in an exciting Final but the defining match was a quarter-final against England featuring two of history’s most famous goals: the ‘Hand of God’ followed by the dribble of a genius. Michel Platini’s France again lost out in the semi-finals before beating surprise package Belgium to third place.

Random Fact – An England substitution in their game against Morocco presented commentators with a problem – it left them with two Gary Stevens’ on the pitch!

Teams: 24
When: 31 May 1986 to 29 June 1986
Final: 29 June 1986
Matches: 52
Goals Scored: 132 (average 2.5 per match)
Attendance: 2393331 (average 46025)
Winner: Argentina
Runners-Up: Germany FR Final Score: Germany 3:2 Argentina
Third: France
Fourth: Belgium
adidas Golden Ball: Diego MARADONA (ARG)
adidas Golden Shoe: Gary LINEKER (ENG)
FIFA Fair Play award: Brazil

1990 Italy
When Lothar Matthaus lifted the FIFA World Cup for Germany, it was an undoubted triumph for Franz Beckenbauer, who became only the second winner of the trophy as both player and coach. If low on goals, Italy 1990 was certainly high on drama – from the feats of Italy’s top scorer Toto Schillaci via the tears of England’s Paul Gascoigne to the historic run of Roger Milla’s Cameroon to the quarter-finals.

Random Fact – In the Italy-Argentina semi-final, referee Michel Vautrot added eight minutes on at the end of first half extra time after forgetting about the time.

Teams: 24
When: 08 June 1990 to 08 July 1990
Final: 08 July 1990
Matches: 52
Goals Scored: 115 (average 2.2 per match)
Attendance: 2516348 (average 48391)
Winner: Germany FR
Runners-Up: Argentina Final Score: Germany 1: 0 Argentina
Third: Italy
Fourth: England

1994 USA
The United States staged a hugely successful 15th FIFA World Cup that became the best attended in history and ended with Brazil celebrating their first world title since 1970. Forwards Romario and Bebeto were the Brazilians’ star performers while Roberto Baggio shone equally brightly for Italy despite his penalty miss that concluded the first ever Final shoot-out. While Sweden finished third, the undoubted surprise package were their fellow semi-finalists Bulgaria

Random Fact – Oleg Salenko, the only adidas Golden Shoe recipient to have played less than four matches, scored five of his six goals in an hour against Cameroon.

Teams: 24
When: 17 June 1994 to 17 July 1994
Final: 17 July 1994
Matches: 52
Goals Scored: 141 (average 2.7 per match)
Attendance: 3587538 (average 68991)
Winner: Brazil
Runners-Up: Italy Final Score: Brazil 3 :2 Italy
Third: Sweden
Fourth: Bulgaria
adidas Golden Ball: ROMÁRIO (Romário de Souza Faria) (BRA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Oleg SALENKO (RUS),
Hristo STOICHKOV (BUL)
Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Michel PREUDHOMME (BEL)
FIFA Fair Play award: Brazil
FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Brazil
adidas Golden Ball: Salvatore SCHILLACI (ITA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Salvatore SCHILLACI (ITA)
FIFA Fair Play award: England

1998 France
The home of tournament founder Jules Rimet, France enjoyed an unforgettable summer as its footballers finally tasted FIFA World Cup glory, Zinedine Zidane leading Les Bleus to victory over Brazil in the Final. France 98 was the first finals with an enlarged cast of 32 teams and among the newcomers were a Croatia side who, fired by the goals of top scorer Davor Suker, confounded expectations by finishing third.

Random Fact – Denmark’s Ebbe Sand scored the fastest ever FIFA World Cup™ finals goal by a substitute in a 4-1 win over Nigeria, 16 seconds after his introduction.

Teams: 32
When: 10 June 1998 to 12 July 1998
Final: 12 July 1998
Matches: 64
Goals Scored: 171 (average 2.7 per match)
Attendance: 2785100 (average 43517)
Winner: France
Runners-Up: Brazil Final Score: France 3:0 Brazil
Third: Croatia
Fourth: Netherlands
adidas Golden Ball: RONALDO (BRA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Davor SUKER (CRO)
Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Fabien BARTHEZ (FRA)
FIFA Fair Play award: England, France
FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: France

2002 Korea/Japan
Brazil became champions for the fifth time as top scorer Ronaldo exorcised the ghosts of 1998, scoring both goals in the Final against Germany. This was Asia’s first FIFA World Cup™ and both host nations made history by reaching the knockout rounds – Korea Republic going as far as the last four. A tournament of surprises, it opened with France losing to Senegal and closed with Turkey third in the world.

Random Fact – In the third-place play-off, Turkey’s Hakan Sukur scored the fastest goal in the competition’s history against Korea Republic after a mere 11 seconds.

Teams: 32
When: 31 May 2002 to 30 June 2002
Final: 30 June 2002
Matches: 64
Goals Scored: 161 (average 2.5 per match)
Attendance: 2705197 (average 42268)
Winner: Brazil
Runners-Up: Germany Final Score: Brazil 2:0 Germany
Third: Turkey
Fourth: Korea Republic
adidas Golden Ball: Oliver KAHN (GER)
adidas Golden Shoe: RONALDO (BRA)

2006 Germany
Italy won their fourth world crown in Germany, beating France on penalties in Berlin. If Zinedine Zidane’s red card was the Final’s defining image, Italy’s triumph would be remembered as a team effort with ten different Azzurri players finding the net. It was also a special month for Germany, the goals of Miroslav Klose helping secure third place in a tournament memorable for the festival mood across the host country.

Random Fact – Trailing Japan inside the last ten minutes, goals from subs Tim Cahill (2) and John Aloisi led Australia to a 3-1 win, Oceania’s first in the finals.

Teams: 32
When: 09 June 2006 to 09 July 2006
Final: 09 July 2006
Matches: 64
Goals Scored: 147 (average 2.3 per match)
Attendance: 3359439 (average 52491)
Winner: Italy
Runners-Up: France Final Score: Italy 5 : 3 France
Third: Germany
Fourth: Portugal
adidas Golden Ball: Zinedine ZIDANE (FRA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Miroslav KLOSE (GER)
Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Gianluigi BUFFON (ITA)
Best Young Player Award: Lukas PODOLSKI (GER)
FIFA Fair Play award: Spain, Brazil
FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Portugal
Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Oliver KAHN (GER)
FIFA Fair Play award: Belgium
FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Korea Republic

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