⚽ FIFA Football World Cup

Score: 4–2

First ever FIFA World Cup. No qualifying rounds — 13 nations invited. Uruguay built the Centenario stadium specifically for this tournament.

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Score: 2–1 (AET)

First World Cup with a qualifying round. Uruguay (holders) boycotted in protest at European teams skipping the 1930 edition. Italy won under Mussolini's regime.

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Score: 4–2

Italy became the first team to defend the World Cup title. Austria withdrew after being annexed by Nazi Germany (Anschluss). Next World Cup postponed 12 years due to WWII.

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Score: 2–1 (Final group game)

The only World Cup with no knockout final — decided by a final round-robin. Uruguay's 2–1 win over Brazil in front of ~200,000 fans at the Maracanã is called the "Maracanazo." Maracanã was the largest football stadium ever built.

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Score: 3–2

Called the "Miracle of Bern" — Hungary (unbeaten in 4 years, 32-game unbeaten run) lost the final to West Germany who they had beaten 8–3 in the group stage. First World Cup televised live in Europe.

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Score: 5–2

A 17-year-old Pelé announced himself to the world, scoring a hat-trick in the semi-final and 2 goals in the final. Just Fontaine's 13 goals in a single tournament remains the all-time record.

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Score: 3–1

Brazil retained the title without an injured Pelé for most of the tournament. Garrincha was the tournament's outstanding player. Known for the violent "Battle of Santiago" (Chile vs Italy).

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Score: 4–2 (AET)

England's only World Cup victory. Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick in the final — the only hat-trick in a World Cup final. The "Ghost Goal" controversy: Hurst's second goal was ruled to have crossed the line.

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Score: 4–1

Brazil's third title allowed them to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently. Widely regarded as the greatest World Cup. Pelé, Jairzinho, Rivelino, and Tostão formed one of football's greatest ever teams. First World Cup in colour TV.

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Score: 2–1

New FIFA World Cup Trophy (FIFA World Cup Trophy by Silvio Gazzaniga) introduced as replacement for Jules Rimet. Johan Cruyff's Netherlands introduced "Total Football" but lost the final. The "Cruyff Turn" debuted here.

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Score: 3–1 (AET)

Argentina's first World Cup title, hosted under the military junta. Mario Kempes was the only non-overseas-based player in Argentina's squad. Netherlands appeared in their second consecutive final without winning.

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Score: 3–1

Expanded to 24 teams for the first time. Paolo Rossi scored a hat-trick against Brazil (who many considered favourites) and won Golden Boot + Golden Ball. Italy became 3-time World Cup winners.

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Score: 3–2

Diego Maradona's tournament. His "Hand of God" goal and "Goal of the Century" (both vs England QF) are the most iconic moments in World Cup history. Argentina's second title.

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Score: 1–0

The most defensive World Cup — fewest goals per game ever (2.21). West Germany won their 3rd title. Cameroon became the first African team to reach the QF. Final decided by a controversial penalty.

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Score: 0–0 (AET) — Brazil won 3–2 on penalties

First World Cup final decided by a penalty shootout. Roberto Baggio (Italy) missed the decisive penalty. Brazil's record 4th title. Unprecedented attendance of 3.58 million. Maradona failed a drug test and was sent home.

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Score: 3–0

Expanded to 32 teams for the first time. France won their first World Cup on home soil with Zinedine Zidane's 2 headers. Ronaldo (Brazil) appeared in a mysterious pre-match health incident. Croatia finished 3rd in their debut tournament.

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Score: 2–0

First World Cup held in Asia; first to be co-hosted by two nations. South Korea reached the semi-finals (biggest Asian achievement ever). Brazil's record 5th title. Ronaldo top-scored after recovering from a serious injury.

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Score: 1–1 (AET) — Italy won 5–3 on penalties

Italy's 4th World Cup title. Zidane's headbutt on Materazzi in the final (and subsequent red card) overshadowed the match. Zidane won the Golden Ball despite the red card. Germany finished 3rd on home soil.

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Score: 1–0 (AET)

First World Cup held in Africa. Spain won their first World Cup, completing a historic treble (Euro 2008, WC 2010, Euro 2012). Andres Iniesta's extra-time winner. Vuvuzelas became world-famous. "Octopus Paul" predicted all Spain's matches correctly.

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Score: 1–0 (AET)

Germany's 4th World Cup title. The "Mineirazo" — Germany crushed hosts Brazil 7–1 in the semi-final (the most shocking WC result). Mario Götze scored the extra-time winner aged 22. Messi won the Golden Ball despite Argentina losing.

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Score: 4–2

France's second World Cup, featuring the most diverse squad (many of African descent). Croatia's first final — remarkable run as a small nation. England's semi-final run. High own-goal count (12 OGs — record). VAR used for the first time.

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Score: 3–3 (AET) — Argentina won 4–2 on penalties

First World Cup in the Middle East and in a Muslim-majority country. First held in November–December (moved from summer due to Qatar's heat). Lionel Messi finally won the World Cup in his last tournament. Mbappé scored a hat-trick in the final but still lost.

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