| Revision as of 13:52, 17 December 2002 view sourceMintguy (talk | contribs)11,899 editsm adding blank column to make table a bit clearer← Previous edit | Revision as of 14:22, 17 December 2002 view source Mintguy (talk | contribs)11,899 editsm some rewordingNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| The '''World Cup''' is |
The '''World Cup''' is the most important international competition in ] (soccer). It organised by the sports governing body ]. The World Cup finals tournament is the most widely-viewed and followed sporting event in the world, bigger than the ]. | ||
| The final tournament is held every four years, but the World Cup competition itself takes place over a two year period. Over 160 national teams compete in regional qualifying tournaments for a place in the finals. The finals tournament now involves 32 national teams (increased from 24 in ]) competing over a 4 week period in a previously nominated host nation. A recent innovation has allowed more than one country to act as joint hosts. | |||
| In 1970, Brazil's third victory in the tournament entitled it to keep the ]. A new trophy was then designed, which has been in use ever since. | In 1970, Brazil's third victory in the tournament entitled it to keep the ]. A new trophy was then designed, which has been in use ever since. | ||
Revision as of 14:22, 17 December 2002
The World Cup is the most important international competition in football (soccer). It organised by the sports governing body FIFA. The World Cup finals tournament is the most widely-viewed and followed sporting event in the world, bigger than the Olympic Games.
The final tournament is held every four years, but the World Cup competition itself takes place over a two year period. Over 160 national teams compete in regional qualifying tournaments for a place in the finals. The finals tournament now involves 32 national teams (increased from 24 in 1998) competing over a 4 week period in a previously nominated host nation. A recent innovation has allowed more than one country to act as joint hosts.
In 1970, Brazil's third victory in the tournament entitled it to keep the Jules Rimet trophy. A new trophy was then designed, which has been in use ever since.
The next World Cup finals will be held in Germany, in 2006.
* aet: after extra time; pen: result decided by penalties. In 1954 there was no final or third place play off.
1930 | 1934 | 1938 | 1950 | 1954 | 1958 | 1962 | 1966 | 1970 | 1974 | 1978 | 1982 | 1986 | 1990 | 1994 | 1998 | 2002 | 2006