The History of the FIFA World Cup™
The most-watched sport is set to return in 2026, bringing teams around the world to North America. How did the FIFA World Cup™ end up becoming one of the most anticipated events of the year? Here's everything you need to know about the history, groundbreaking moments, and more leading up to the 2026 tournament.
The Start of the FIFA World Cup™: 1930-1950
Beginning in Uruguay, the first FIFA World Cup™ was held in 1930 as a direct result of the sport's growing popularity, the success of soccer in the Olympics, and Uruguay's dominating force. It spanned 27 days with 13 nations competing, resulting in Uruguay winning their host tournament.
Key Highlights
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1930: The first FIFA World Cup™ was hosted and won by Uruguay.
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1934 & 1938: Italy became the first team to win back-to-back titles.
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1943 & 1946: Tournaments were not held due to World War II.
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1950: The "Maracanazo": Uruguay defeated Brazil in front of nearly 200,000 fans in the final match, causing an upset. Brazil was heavily favored on home soil.
The Growth of the FIFA World Cup™: 1950-1970
Growing exponentially through this period, the tournament was officially televised in 1954, reaching a wider audience. This era is defined by iconic players and the development of new soccer skills, bringing us to the championship we see today.
Key Highlights
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1954: Group stage formatting was introduced, organizing the 16 competing teams into groups of four.
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1958, 1962 & 1970: Brazil won three tournaments led by Pelé, cementing their place as soccer giants.
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1966: England hosted and won its only FIFA World Cup™ title. The "Wembley Goal" controversy is noticeably remembered in the final match.
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1970: The tournament was first hosted in Mexico for Pelé's final FIFA World Cup™ victory. He stands as the most decorated player in the competition's history, with his Brazil team often considered the greatest of all time.
The Current FIFA World Cup™: 1980-Present
As the sport and audience grew, the event continues to evolve, thus bringing us the most expansive championship in 2026.
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1986: The "Hand of God" and the "Goal of the Century" from Diego Maradona led Argentina to victory. Maradona later admitted his hand did touch the ball.
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1994: The United States hosted the tournament for the first time. This led to a boom in the popularity of soccer across North America.
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1998 & 2002: Tournament expanded to 32 teams, with a larger expansion of African and Asian teams.
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2014 & 2018: Germany and France re-established a European presence with back-to-back victories.
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2022: Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, won against France in Qatar, securing their third title.
FIFA World Cup™ Winners
| Country | Winning Years |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002 |
| Italy | 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006 |
| Germany | 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014 |
| Argentina | 1978, 1986, 2022 |
| France | 1998, 2018 |
| Uruguay | 1930, 1950 |
| England | 1966 |
| Spain | 2010 |
Looking to 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ is set to be memorable. With the tournament being co-hosted by three nations—Canada, the United States, and Mexico—for the first time, the energy is already ramping up in host cities.
Quick Facts
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Most Titles: Brazil holds the record with 5 wins.
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All-Time Top Scorer: Miroslav Klose with 16 goals for Germany.
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Hosting Record: Mexico (1970, 1986, 2026) and Brazil (1950, 2014) have hosted the most tournaments.
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Most Tournament Goals: France's Just Fontaine holds the record for the most goals in a single tournament, scoring 13 goals in 1958.
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Highest Scoring Match: 1954 holds the title for the highest-scoring game, ending 7-5, between Austria and Switzerland.
The FIFA World Cup™ has always been known for its passion and national pride. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ nears, make sure you're ready to celebrate every upcoming game with the top gear. Whether you're a new fan watching from home or are heading to a stadium, explore jerseys, accessories, and more to rep your team at your local SCHEELS!