World Cup History
The FIFA World Cup was first held in 1930, when FIFA president Jules Rimet decided to stage an international football tournament. The inaugural edition, held in Uruguay in 1930, was contested as a final tournament of only 13 teams (Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Mexico, France, Belgium, Yugoslavia, Romania and the United States) invited by the organization. Other European teams complained about the distance to Uruguay and refused to go.
Since then, the FIFA World Cup has experienced successive expansions and format remodeling to its current 32-team final tournament preceded by a two-year qualifying process, involving almost 200 teams from all over the world.
An International soccer governing body FIFA came into existence in 1904. The aim of the organization was to host championship matches between professional leagues from different nations. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) first conceived the idea of world cup soccer championship as early as 1926.
Rimet along with other FIFA representatives first organized the event in 1930. The very first world cup did not even include qualifying rounds. Teams from Europe included France, Belgium, Yugoslavia & Romania. Other European teams complained about the distance to Uruguay and refused to travel so far.
The first world cup soccer match started on July 13th, 1930. France defeated Mexico in a game of 4 to 1, paving way for a glorious world cup beginning. After the WW II, the FIFA World Cup gained worldwide recognition as the sole sporting event of the new world.
Traditionally, World Cups werte held eityher in Europe or the Americas. Hoever, the World Cup Executive Committee's in May 1996 made a major decision of selecting Korea and Japan as co-hosts for the 2002 edition. This paved the way for other venues, such as Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
Ever since 1930, the world has witnessed only seven different winners in the 16 tournaments held so far, Brazil-5, Italy-4, West Germany-3, Argentina-2, Uruguay-2, England-1, France-1 and Spain-1 . The FIFA World cup has seen wonderful victories and some dramatic twists such as England’s defeat in 1950, North Korea’s loss in Italy in 1966 and Cameroon’s opening match defeat of Argentina in 1990.
FIFA World cup today draws people from all over the globe. After so many years, the world cup has seen the best and the worst in the sphere of soccer. The soccer world stands taller in recognition and popularity with the FIFA world cup. Soccer is the most loved and admired game with a history of over 3000 years.
A largely male-dominated sport, women soccer has also seen some changes. The first women’s World Cup was held in China in 1991. The US won the championship the first time ever in the history of women soccer.
"Eight World Cups: My Journey Through the Beauty and Dark Side of Soccer" by George Vecsey covers the World Cups fron 1982-2010. In addition to covering the games, the reader is exposed to the richness of the off-the-field actions and events normally unknown to the fan. Soccer is not just about watching games. One's enjoyment is inhanced by an understanding of its culture, worts and all.
Since then, the FIFA World Cup has experienced successive expansions and format remodeling to its current 32-team final tournament preceded by a two-year qualifying process, involving almost 200 teams from all over the world.
An International soccer governing body FIFA came into existence in 1904. The aim of the organization was to host championship matches between professional leagues from different nations. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) first conceived the idea of world cup soccer championship as early as 1926.
Rimet along with other FIFA representatives first organized the event in 1930. The very first world cup did not even include qualifying rounds. Teams from Europe included France, Belgium, Yugoslavia & Romania. Other European teams complained about the distance to Uruguay and refused to travel so far.
The first world cup soccer match started on July 13th, 1930. France defeated Mexico in a game of 4 to 1, paving way for a glorious world cup beginning. After the WW II, the FIFA World Cup gained worldwide recognition as the sole sporting event of the new world.
Traditionally, World Cups werte held eityher in Europe or the Americas. Hoever, the World Cup Executive Committee's in May 1996 made a major decision of selecting Korea and Japan as co-hosts for the 2002 edition. This paved the way for other venues, such as Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
Ever since 1930, the world has witnessed only seven different winners in the 16 tournaments held so far, Brazil-5, Italy-4, West Germany-3, Argentina-2, Uruguay-2, England-1, France-1 and Spain-1 . The FIFA World cup has seen wonderful victories and some dramatic twists such as England’s defeat in 1950, North Korea’s loss in Italy in 1966 and Cameroon’s opening match defeat of Argentina in 1990.
FIFA World cup today draws people from all over the globe. After so many years, the world cup has seen the best and the worst in the sphere of soccer. The soccer world stands taller in recognition and popularity with the FIFA world cup. Soccer is the most loved and admired game with a history of over 3000 years.
A largely male-dominated sport, women soccer has also seen some changes. The first women’s World Cup was held in China in 1991. The US won the championship the first time ever in the history of women soccer.
"Eight World Cups: My Journey Through the Beauty and Dark Side of Soccer" by George Vecsey covers the World Cups fron 1982-2010. In addition to covering the games, the reader is exposed to the richness of the off-the-field actions and events normally unknown to the fan. Soccer is not just about watching games. One's enjoyment is inhanced by an understanding of its culture, worts and all.
George Vecsey, a longtime columnist for the New York Times, has covered many sports but has a special passion for soccer. His reporting on eight World Cups—from Spain in 1982 to South Africa in 2010—is a must read for anyone who wants an understanding of soccer in general and World Cup mania. It is an exceedingly enjoyable blend of travelogue, sportswriting, and social analysis. Eight World Cups makes a wonderful background to the World Cup. Results of World Cups covered in the book.
World Cup Winners
Complete list of World Cup winners including commentary.
World Cup Final Four 1982-2010--Taken from Eight World Cups by George Vecsey.
World Cup Final Four 1982-2010--Taken from Eight World Cups by George Vecsey.