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Useful World Cup Facts

As at June 3, 2010 (i.e. prior to the kick off of the 2010 World Cup):

Teams with the most appearances in the World Cup finals:
Brazil - 18
Italy - 16
Germany - 16
Argentina - 14
Mexico - 13

Most Valuable Player winners - 1986 to 2006
1986 - Diego Maradona, Argentina
1990 - Toto Schillaci, Italy
1994 - Romario, Brazil
1998 - Ronaldo, Brazil
2002 - Oliver Kahn, Germany
2006 - Zinedine Zidane, France

Teams that have won multiple titles
Brazil - 5 - 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Italy - 4 - 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
Germany - 3 - 1954, 1974, 1990
Argentina - 2 - 1978, 1986
Uruguay - 2 - 1930, 1950

48 hat-tricks have been recorded in World Cup history.

Argentina was the last South American country to host the World Cup finals, in 1978.

Paolo Rossi scored a hat-trick to help Italy beat Brazil 3-2 in the final of the 1982 World Cup. It's widely regarded as one of the greatest World Cup games ever.

In 1929, FIFA awarded Uruguay the privilege of hosting the very first World Cup tournament.

After claiming a second World Cup title in 1938, Italy went 44 years before claiming a third in 1982 ... a 44 year drought.

One of the biggest upsets in World Cup history happened in 1950, when the U.S. beat England 1-0 in a first round match.

Did You Know

The very first World Cup tournament was held in 1930 with 13 teams competing.

For the 2010 World Cup tournament, 204 countries competed in qualifying rounds for spots in the 32-team field of the final round.

Scores of World Cup finals championship games:
1986 - Argentina 3, West Germany 2
1990 - West Germany 1, Argentina 0
1994 - Brazil 3, Italy 2 (penalty shootout)
1998 - France 3, Brazil 0
2002 - Brazil 2, Germany 0
2006 - Italy 5, France 3 (penalty shootout)

In 1970, Mexico became the first nation outside of Europe or South America to host the World Cup finals.

One of the most lopsided games in World Cup finals history happened in 1974, when Yugoslavia thrashed Zaire 9-0.

93,000 spectators reportedly packed Montevideo's Estadio Centenario to watch Uruguay defeat Argentina 4-2 in the very first World Cup final - 1930.

In 1970, Brazil's Mario Zagallo, became the first man to win the World Cup as a player (1958 and 1962) and a manager.

2006 World Cup finals first round match, Croatia vs. Australia, English referee Graham Poll fails to send off Josip Šimunić after showing him a second yellow card, and later sends him off after showing him a third one.

The aftermath of World War II caused the cancellation of the 1946 World Cup.

The largest margin of victory ever in a World Cup qualifying game, happened in 2001 when Australia hammered American Samoa 31-0.

Luis Monti is the only person to have played in two World Cup finals for different countries. He was born in Argentina and represented that country in 1930, and in 1934 he represented Italy.