Facts for Kids

The FIFA World Cup is a super exciting soccer tournament! 🌍⚽ It takes place every four years, showcasing the best men's teams from different countries around the world. Teams compete to win the famous World Cup trophy, which is made of gold and stands about 14 inches tall! The first World Cup happened in 1930 in Uruguay. The event brings countries together, and millions of fans cheer for their teams on TV and in stadiums. The next tournament is set for 2026, and it will be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico! 🎉

The FIFA World Cup is held in various countries, showcasing incredible stadiums! 🌍🏟️ For example, the Maracanã in Brazil held the final in 1950 and can hold 200,000 fans! The 2022 World Cup took place in Qatar, where stadiums were built to be super modern and eco-friendly. In total, 8 stadiums were used! The tournament in 2026 will have matches in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with special venues including the iconic MetLife Stadium and the historic Azteca Stadium! 🎆

The FIFA World Cup has a fun and challenging format! The tournament usually features 32 teams that compete in several matches. Starting with a group stage, teams are divided into groups of four. Each team plays three matches. Then, the top two teams from each group move to the knockout stage, where teams play elimination games! 🔥

The final match determines the winner and who gets to hold the trophy high! In total, about 64 matches are played during the tournament. 📅

To reach the World Cup, teams must go through a qualification process! 🏆

Each continent has its own qualifying tournaments. For example, in Europe, 55 teams compete for 13 spots, playing many matches over several years! The qualifiers are tough, and only the best teams earn their tickets to the World Cup. Some lesser-known countries surprise everyone and make it to the tournament! This makes every match exciting as teams battle for their chance to show their skills at the World Cup!

Records in the World Cup make it even more fascinating! Brazil has won the tournament five times, which is the most in history. 🚀

The highest score in a World Cup match was 12-0, when Hungary beat El Salvador in 1982! Additionally, the fastest goal was scored only 11 seconds into a match by Hakan Şükür of Turkey. The tournament has also seen famous goaltenders, such as Lev Yashin, who is known as one of the best goalkeepers in soccer! 🥅

Some of the most famous soccer players in history have played in the World Cup. Pelé, from Brazil, scored over 1,200 goals in his career and helped Brazil win three World Cups! ⚽🌟 Another famous player is Lionel Messi, also from Argentina, known for his amazing dribbling skills and soccer IQ. Teams like Brazil, Italy, and Germany are famous for their incredible World Cup histories and many titles! Brazil holds the record with five championships! 🌟

Many unforgettable moments have happened in World Cup history! One such moment was "The Hand of God" in 1986 when Diego Maradona, an Argentine soccer legend, scored a goal using his hand! 🇦🇷⚽ Another exciting moment took place in 1998 when Zinedine Zidane scored two goals with his head for France in the final, helping his team win! 🎉

These moments filled fans with joy and sometimes brought tears. The World Cup is full of surprises and emotions every time!

Like any big event, the FIFA World Cup has faced controversies! 🤔

One issue was the scandal over FIFA's selection process for World Cup hosts. People questioned whether decisions were fair and transparent. Another controversy arose from the treatment of workers building stadiums in Qatar. 🚧

Ensuring safety and fairness for everyone involved is essential, and these discussions help improve future tournaments. Fans want the World Cup to be an event that brings joy and unity!

The future of the FIFA World Cup looks very bright! 😊

The next tournament is set for 2026, and for the first time, it will have 48 teams instead of 32. This means even more countries will participate! The event will include matches in more than 16 cities across three countries – the USA, Canada, and Mexico! 🌟

Fans are excited, and new generations of soccer players are training hard for a chance to play on the world's biggest stage. The FIFA World Cup will continue inspiring and uniting fans around the globe! 🌈

The first FIFA World Cup was held in 1930. Uruguay, a small country in South America, hosted the event! 🇺🇾 They won the cup by beating Argentina 4-2! Over the years, the tournament has grown bigger and more exciting. The World Cup has been held every four years except during World War II. The number of countries participating has increased from just 13 in 1930 to 32 in current tournaments. The World Cup is not just about soccer; it’s about bringing together nations and sharing cultures. 🌐