A Primer for a Major World Event
Do you know that the most watched sporting event in the world kicks off this Friday, June 11 in South Africa? And it’s related to the sport that has the greatest sports anthem of all-time?
If you don’t know, or if you are wondering what it is, Timelines.com is here to help.The event is the World Cup, and we have put together the following fast facts (and a complete World Cup Timeline) to help make you smart about football’s (that’s soccer for all of you American neophytes) biggest event. (The greatest anthem is at the end of this post).
- 700+ million. It’s estimated that over 700 million people watched the final match between Italy and France in 2006, the last time that the World Cup tournament was held. (Like the Olympic Games, the World Cup is held every four years). Incidentally, Italy defeated France on penalty kicks that year.
- 1930. The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2. Only 13 teams were invited to play in the inaugural tournament. Today, over 200 teams vie for one of the 32 entries during the course of a two year qualifying competition.
- 18. A total of eighteen World Cups have been awarded. (The World Cup was not held in 1942 and 1946 due to World War 2).
- 7. Only seven countries have won the World Cup. Brazil (5 times), Italy (4), Germany (3), Argentina and Uruguay (twice each) and France and England (one a piece). Of the countries with multiple wins,only Brazil has won it back to back (in 1958 and 1962).
- 6. Six of the seven champions have won when they have hosted the World Cup. Brazil is the only exception, as they finished as runner-up when they hosted it in 1950.
- 4. Germany holds the most runner up finishes with four: 1966, 1982, 1986, and 2002. (Incidentally, Germany also holds the most 3rd place finishes with 3: 1934, 1970 and 2006).
- 0. The United States has never won a World Cup, nor have they finished as runner up. However, USA finished in third place in 1930. They defeated Yugoslavia in the consolation game.
Be sure to check out our complete World Cup Timeline for all past champions and more details.
Oh, and here’s the greatest sports anthem of all time….
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