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The World Cup made it’s return to South America after a 12 year absence with Chile receiving the honour of playing host for1962 finals. It was called ‘Campeonato Mundial de Futbol‘ in Chile and the South American surroundings obviously played a huge part with both the hosts (Chile) and Brazil going far in the tournament. Chile went on to secure a third-place finish while Brazil ran out victorious in the final against the Czechoslovakia.

During the preparations for the tournament, Chile suffered the largest earthquake of the twentieth century in 1960 which caused massive damage around the country. The slogan for the 1962 World Cup became ‘Because we don’t have anything, we will do everything within our power to rebuild’ after the president of the organisation committee announced that Chile would not forfeit their bid to host the forthcoming World Cup.

The 1962 finals saw the rise and fall of several of the World’s biggest stars. Pele’s tournament came to an abrupt end when he was injured midway through Brazil’s second game although his replacement was Amarildo who went on to have arguably his best tournament in his career.

The tournament didn’t go down too well with the rest of the World though with the home nation giving travelling fans a hostile reception. This cumulated in two red cards in the opening match of the tournament when Chile took on Italy where the Italian’s needed police escorts to leave the pitch safely.

Final:

Brazil 3 – 1 Czechoslovakia – Estadio Nacional ~ 68,689 Attendance

Goalscorers:

Brazil – Amarildo, Zito, Vava
Czechoslovakia – Masopust

Third Place Play-Off

Chile 1 – 0 Yugoslavia

Goalscorers:

Chile – Rojas
Yugoslavia -

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After 12 years without a World Cup, it was the South American continent who once again prepared to play the host for the 1950 World Cup. The honour was left to Brazil and this was the first time the remainder of the globe got to see some Brazilian samba although the Brazilians had to settle for runners-up as their South American counterparts, Uruguay, won the tournament to secure their second and last World Cup title to date.

FIFA were eager to get the competition back up and running as soon as possible but had difficulties finding a host as most of Europe lay in ruins after the second World War. No one was even slightly interested in hosting the first World Cup since the World War until Brazil stepped up with a proposal to host in 1950 instead of 1949 as previously planned by FIFA.

The 1950 finals was the first time the Jules Rimet trophy was introduced to mark the 25th anniversary of Rimet’s presidency of FIFA. Uruguay lifted the trophy although they were the first country to win a four-team group final and this was the first and last time this was used.

Final:

Uruguay 2 – 1 Brazil – Estadio do Maracana ~ 199,954

Goalscorers:

Uruguay – Schiaffino, Ghiggia
Brazil – Friaca

Third Place Play-Off:

Sweden 3 – 1 Spain

Goalscorers:

Sweden – Sundqvist, Mellberg, Palmer
Spain – Zarra

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Switzerland were the host for the 1954 World Cup and were the first country from Europe to host the prestigious tournament after the Second World War en ravaged the vast majority of Europe. However, the fans didn’t do enough to drive their country to what would have been a memorable victory as Germany, or West Germany as they were known back then, went on to win the tournament with victory over Hungary in the final.

For the first time in World Cup history there was TV coverage of a World Cup and special coins were issued to mark the event. Viewers were fortunateenough to see a goal fest in the final as Hungary and West Germany played out a five goal final with four of those coming within their opening 20 minutes of the first half.

Final:

Hungary 2 – 3 West Germany – Wankdorf Stadium ~ 60,000 Attendance

Goalscorers:

Hungary – Puskas, Czibor
West Germany – Morlock, Rahn x2

Third Place Play-Off:

Uruguay 1 – 3 Austria

Goalscorers:

Uruguay – Hohberg
Austria – Stojaspal, Cruz, Ocwirk

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Just the second World Cup and this time it was to be held on European soil in the form of Italy. The tournament was named ‘The World’s Cup‘ and the Italians proved once more that home advantage really did matter when they won their first World Cup title after beating Czechoslovakia in the final.

The 1934 World Cup was the first competition where countries actually had to qualify to make the cut. 32 countries battled it out in qualifying with just 15 actually bracing the World Cup finals.

Something unique for a World Cup happened when the first ever match was replayed after Spain & Italy played out a 1-1 draw, after extra-time. Back then there was no penalties so another match was played just days later of which Italy ran out victorious.

Final:

Italy 2 – 1  Czechoslovakia (After Extra-Time) – Stadio  Nazionale, Rome ~ 45,000 Attendance

Goalscorers:

Italy – Orsi, Schiavio
Czechoslovakia – Puc

Third Place Play-Off:

Germany 3 – 2 Austria

Goalscorers:

Germany – Lehner x2, Conen
Austria – Horvath, Sesta

The third World Cup was held in yet another European country as France took to the stage as the host of the 1938 World Cup finals. However, unlike the two tournaments gone before, France didn’t make the most of home advantage and ended a run of two straight home nation victories after Uruguay & Italy had previously won the tournament in their respective countries.

Another first saw Italy regain the World Cup and become the first country to win back-to-back World Cup titles when they beat Hungary in the final. However, the 1938 finals saw the very last World Cup where Groups were not used. All the World Cups up till now were played in a straightforward knock-out style but that was binned by FIFA.

This was also the last World Cup before the second World War and the finals took a 12 year break.

Final:

Hungary 2 – 4 Italy  – Stade Olympique de Colmbes ~ 60,000 Attendance

Goalscorers:

Hungary – Titkos, Sarosi
Italy – Colaussi x2, Piola x2

Third Place Play-Off:

Sweden 2 – 4 Brazil

Goalscorers:

Sweden – Jonasson, Nyberg
Brazil – Romeu, Leonidas x2, Peracio

Participants: 32 (Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Serbia & Montenegro, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine, United States)

The 18th and last World Cup final to date was held on European soil in Germany. The German’s had lost their touch in winning World Cup’s and seen Brazil to stretch their titles to 5, two ahead of Germany. Although the Germans were eager to catch up, they went into the tournament touted as one of the worst German sides in it’s history. However, they soon proved the critics wrong and despite not making the final they did finish in third-place after winning the third-place play-off against Portugal.

Italy and France contested the final of which it was won by the Italians as they notched up their fourth title. However, they had to do it the hard way when they won the tournament via a nerve-racking penalty shoot-out.

The 2006 World Cup was one of the most watched events ever with an estimated 27 billion viewers tuning in to watch the 64 matches played throughout the month the tournament was in action.

There was eight new nations who qualified for the 2006 World Cup with Angola (South Africa), Ivory Coast (South Africa), Czech Republic (Formerly known as Czechoslovakia), Ghana & Togo (Both South African), Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine and Serbia & Montenegro.

Final:

Italy 1 – 1 France (Italy win on penalties) – Olympiastadion ~ 69,000

Goalscorers:

Italy – Materazzi
France – Zidane

Third Place Play-Off:

Germany 3 – 1 Portugal

Goalscorers:

Germany – Schweinsteiger x2, Petit (Og)
Portugal – Nuno Gomes

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The World Cup saw a first as two nations combined their resources to hold a two-nation World Cup with the 2002 World Cupheld in South Korea & Japan.  It was also the first World Cup to be held on the Asian continent.

The final saw two familiar foes although it was the first time West Germany and Brazil had battled it out in a final of a World Cup. However, it was the Brazilians who came out victorious winning 2-0 in Yokohama.

South Korea & Japan automatically qualified by virtue of being hosts but France were also granted a berth into the finals as defending champions but that rule was soon scraped after the finals.

A unique factor about these finals was that all previous seven winners of the World Cup all qualified for South Korea & Japan 2002. The first time that so many champions had appeared in a major competition with Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy and Uruguay all competing for the World Cup crown.

Four new nations qualified for the Asian World Cup with Chile & Ecuador qualifying from South America while Senegal qualified as an African contingent and Slovenia from Europe.

The defending champions didn’t get off to the best of starts as they lost their opening match against Senegal. This was arguably the shock of the tournament and set the way for what would be a surprising tournament filled with overachieving nations. Brazil and Germany may have competed for the World Cup title itself in the final but Turkey and South Korea were vying for a third-place finish with very few predicting that.

Brazilian sensation Ronaldo set the tournament a lite with his eight goals and help guide Brazil to their fifth World Cup title. Ronaldo’s two goals in the final was evidence of this.

Final:

Brazil 2 – 0 Germany – Yokohama International Stadium ~ 69,029 Attendance

Goalscorers:

Brazil – Ronaldo x2
Germany –

Third Place Play-Off:

South Korea 2 – 3 Turkey

Goalscorers:

South Korea – Lee Eul-Yong, Song Chong-Gug
Turkey – Hakan, Ilhan x2

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France were handed their very first World Cup in 1998 and it was a tournament they would go onto remember when they won the 32 team tournament after surpassing all expectations, especially in the final, as they went on to beat the Brazilians 3-0 convincingly in the final.

France 98 saw, for the first time, 32 nations partake in a World Cup. There were now eight qualifying groups with the top two teams advancing into a last sixteen stage. It also the first time the ‘Golden Goal‘ rule was used in Extra-Time where the first team to score in Extra-Time were the winners. It was also a first for fourth officials as FIFA introduced a rule where a fourth official would indicate how much time would be played after the allotted 90 minutes.

Despite 64 matches being played throughout the tournament, France could not surpass the record of attendances held by USA.

Croatia, Jamaica, Japan and South Africa were competing in their début World Cups but it was Croatia who made the biggest impression of the four as they went on to surprise everyone with a third-place finish. Davor Suker also ended the tournament as top goalscorer for Croatia with six goals.

The final saw defending champions – Brazil take on the hosts – France. This was the first time this predicament arose but it was the hosts who prevailed. France legend Zinedine Zidane scored two while Arsenal’s Emmanuel Petit scored France’s third in injury time.

Final:

France 3 – 0 Brazil – Stade de France ~ 80,000 Attendance

Goalscorers:

France – Zidane x2, Petit
Brazil -

Third Place Play-Off:

Croatia 2 – 1 Netherlands

Goalscorers:

Croatia – Prosinecki, Suker
Netherlands – Zenden

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The United States were given their first taste of what it’s like to host a World Cup as they held the 1994 World Cup finals. Although US fans didn’t get to see their team challenge for honours they did get a glimpse of Brazil winning their fourthWorld Cup and cement their place as the World’s current best footballing nation.

The final saw two of the world’s most prolific nations go head-to-head as Brazil took on Italy. However, the two couldn’t be separated and for the first time in a World Cup, a final was to be settled on penalties. It was Brazil though who held their nerve winning 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out.

USA had to hold off the bids of Morocco and Brazil as possible hosts for the 1994 World Cup but it came as a shock when FIFA announced it would be the United States who would host the prestigious event. The USA were yet to make any impact at International level in football but FIFA seen this as the perfect opportunity for the sport to grow in the US.

USA may not have won the competition but they did set the record for the highest attendances for a World Cup host. Over 3.6 million went to the stadiums to watch the games while the average attendance was 69,000. The USA currently hold the record for the highest attendances which has yet to be beaten.

Greece, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia were the newbies in the 1994 World Cup while Russia competed for the first time as an independent nation after they were previously competing under the Soviet Union. On a similar note, West Germany and East Germany came together and formed one competitive nation by the name of ‘Germany’ and have done ever since.

As African nations put in a respectable display in the 1990 World Cup, FIFA granted the continent three qualifying spots. It was also the first and only World Cup which seen no British contingents compete.

Final:

Brazil 0 – 0 Italy (Brazil won on penalties) – Rose Bowl ~ 94,194 Attendances

Goalscorers:

Third Place Play-Off:

Sweden 4 – 0 Bulgaria

Goalscorers:

Sweden – Brolin, Mild, Larsson, K. Andersson
Bulgaria –

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