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Every few years, in a different country around the world, there's a big sports competition. It's like the Olympics but only for one sport. The most popular sport in the world! What do you know about the history of the FIFA World Cup?
Men from 13 countries played in the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. In the final game Uruguay beat Argentina and became the first World Cup winners. Every four years since then there has been a Men's World Cup. 32 countries played in the last men's competition in 2022.
The first official Women's World cup was held in China in 1991. 12 teams played and the United States beat Norway in the final. Every four years since then there has been a Women's World Cup. Now 32 countries play in the Women's World Cup and in 2023 Spain beat England to win the cup.
The first time people saw the World Cup on TV was in 1954 when Switzerland held the competition. At least 3 billion people in countries all over the world watched the 2022 Men's World Cup on TV!
Until 2002 the World Cup was always in a European or an American country. South Korea and Japan held the first Asian World Cup. The first African World Cup was in 2010, in South Africa.
Brazil is the most successful World Cup team in the men's competition. They are the only team that have played in every tournament. So far they have won it five times. Germany and Italy have both won four times. Argentina has won it three times and France and Uruguay twice. England and Spain have won it once.
The United States is the most successful team in the women's tournament. They have won it four times and Germany has won it twice.
Fun Facts
- In 1966, the World Cup was in England. Thieves stole the Cup and tried to sell it. A dog found it under a tree!
- Germany and Spain are the only two countries that have won both the Men's and Women's World Cup.
Discussion
Have you ever watched the FIFA World Cup? Who's your favourite team?