Football fever is a global condition – and when it comes to the World Cup, everyone’s watching! Here are some fun facts about the football World Cup you’ll want to remember the next time your national side takes to the world stage.
1. It’s a long-running tradition.
As of publication, there have been a total of 22 FIFA World Cups! The first Finals took place back in 1930, and, of course, the latest event took place at the end of 2022 in Qatar.
2. Some World Cups have been cancelled!
If you did the math from the previous fact, you may have found that it didn’t quite add up! Since FIFA World Cups are held every four years, there should have been 24 events held from 1930 to 2022. However, due to the Second World War, FIFA cancelled both the 1942 and 1946 World Cups.
3. Qatar was a unique host.
It was decided way back in 2010 that Qatar would host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They became the first Arab state ever to host the FIFA World Cup! However, they were a controversial host as a result of their national human rights.
England is a one-time host and one-time winner of the World Cup at the time of writing. Despite having performed better in recent years on the world stage than they arguably have for decades, the Lions have continued to fall short of the big prize. Losing to France at the quarter finals of the 2022 World Cup, England last won (and hosted) the tournament in 1966.
5. The dragons roar!
Wales’ World Cup record is particularly interesting. The national side has entered qualifications for the competition every year since 1950. However, they’ve only qualified for the Finals of the tournament twice – in 1958, and in 2022! In 2022, the Dragons were sadly dispatched at the group stages, losing to England.
6. Who’s Jules Rimet?
The World Cup trophy itself is called Jules Rimet, and it’s named after the FIFA President who first kick-started plans for the competition. That goes all the way back to 1929!
7. Age is no limit!
The oldest player to have ever taken part at a FIFA World Cup is Essam El Hadary, who appeared as goal keeper for Egypt in 2018. He was 45 years old – and as he saved a penalty against Saudi Arabia, he’s still the oldest penalty-saver on record, too!
8. Two’s the charm!
While both Italy and Brazil faced early disappointments at Qatar’s World Cup in 2022, they still hold unique records all their own. They’re the only two nations to have won the World Cup back to back, or twice in a row. Other times, the winners have largely alternated!
9. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming!
There’s always a four-year wait between World Cups – and it can be agonizing! The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in North America. The US, Mexico, and Canada are all participating as hosts of the event!
10. Where will the games take place at the 2026 World Cup?
The US will provide a total of 11 of the host stadiums. Canada will provide two host stadiums, and Mexico will provide three. This means that there will be a total of 16 host stadiums during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FAQs about the Football World Cup
Who is the best football player in the world?
As of writing, Lionel Messi of Argentina is widely considered to be the best football player in the world. He has played in five World Cups during his career, winning his last one in 2022!
Which team is the best football team in the world?
Brazil is considered to be the best football team in the world. As of the date of publication, it remains the winningest team in the world (though Argentina won the last World Cup in 2022).
How much were tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2022?
On average, fans paid between just under $200 to just over $1,500 for tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2022. Of course, prices varied depending on the seats, the match, and the day.
Further reading:
https://facts.uk/tag/football/
https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup
https://www.espn.co.uk/football/league/_/name/fifa.world
Do you know any fun facts about the Football World Cup? Share them in the comments below!