The World Cup - Germany '06: The World Cup Champions

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

The World Cup Champions

The World Cup is held every four years, but the qualifying rounds of the competition take place over a three-year period, using regional qualifying tournaments. 197 national teams entered the qualification tournaments for the 2006 World Cup. The final tournament phase involves 32 national teams competing over a four-week period in a previously nominated host nation.

The very first World Cup was played in Uruguay in 1930.

The final was played between the host and Argentina. The very first World Champion was Uruguay after beating 4-2 their neighbours.

4- 2

The Second World Cup in 1934 was hosted by Mussolini's Italy and once again the host became Champion of the World after beating Czechoslovakia by 2-1.

2- 1

The 1938 Football World Cup was played in France, the second tournament in a row to be played in Europe. But this time the host did not went further than the quarterfinals and it was Italy that retained the Champions title by beating Hungary 4-2 in the Final.

4-2

Because of World War II, the World Cup had not been staged since 1938; the planned World Cups of 1942 and 1946 were both cancelled. The 1950 Football World Cup was held in Brazil and was the only World Cup ever held which was not decided by a knockout final (although the last match of the tournament did end up determining the overall winner, and this match, also known as Maracanazo, is usually referred to as if it had been a final). It was won by Uruguay by 2-1 after beating the host.

2-1

The 1954 Football World Cup was held in Switzerland. The tournament was won by West Germany, who upset Hungary 3-2 in the final. It was Germany's first World Cup victory.

3-2

In June 1954, the FIFA decided to award the 1958 Football World Cup to Sweden. It was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5-2 in the final for their first title. The World Cup marked the debut on the world stage of 17-year-old Pelé, who would grow to be considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.

5-2

In 1962 the World Cup returned to South America. It was held in Chile, and won by Brazil, who retained the championship beating Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the final.

3-1

The 1966 World Cup was held in England and it was a year of triumph for the host nation, which won in a controversial final beating West Germany 4-2.

4-2

The 1970 Football World Cup was held in Mexico. It was won by Brazil, who beat Italy 4-1 in the final. The Brazilian team, led by Pelé, Jairzinho, Rivelino and Tostão, is often regarded as the greatest team ever, and the 1970 tournament is still considered by many fans to be the finest World Cup in history.

4-1

The 1974 Football World Cup was held in West Germany. The host nation won the title beating the Netherlands in the final, 2-1. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup, was awarded. The previous trophy, the Jules Rimet Trophy, was won for the third time by Brazil in 1970 and awarded permanently to the Brazilians.

2-1

The 1978 World Cup was held in Argentina. It was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3-1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina who became the sixth team (after Uruguay, Italy, West Germany, Brazil, and England) to be world champions.

3-1

The 1982 World Championship was held in Spain. It was won by Italy, who beat West Germany 3-1 in the final. With its third World Cup title (after 1934 and 1938), Italy drew level with record champions Brazil.

3-1

The 1986 Football World Cup was held in Mexico from May 31 to June 29. It was won by Argentina, who beat West Germany 3-2 in the final at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca. It was the tournament of Diego Armando Maradona who was at the peak of his form and he led the Argentinean team to the title.

3-2

The 1990 Football World Cup was held in Italy, making it the second country to host the event twice. It was won by West Germany, who beat Argentina 1-0 in the final, repeating the final of the 1986 Football World Cup.

1- 0

The 1994 Football World Cup held in the USA was won by Brazil who beat Italy 3-2 on penalty kicks after the game and extra time ended 0-0.

0-0 (3-2)

The 1998 World Cup was held in France. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final. This was the first World Cup title for France.

3- 0

The 2002 Football World Cup (Official name: 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™) was held in South Korea and Japan. It was the 17th tournament. For the first time in its history, the World Cup was organised by two countries, which also meant that for the first time three teams (South Korea and Japan as co-hosts and 1998 World Cup champion France) received automatic places in the tournament. It was also the first time it was held outside Europe or the Americas. In the end, the finals saw the all-time World Cup winning country, Brazil, defeat Germany, 2-0 for their record fifth title.