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Football · Level 4: Intermediate · Sub-level 4.41

FIFA World Cup

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

FIFA World Cup history from 1930 to present: champions, top scorers, iconic moments, format evolution, hosts, individual awards, recent tournaments (2018 France, 2022 Argentina, 2026 USA/Canada/Mexico — new 48-team format). Integrated coverage of the FIFA Women's World Cup (1991–2023, 2027 Brazil host).

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Origins and historyTake a test

  1. The inaugural FIFA World Cup was held in 1930. It was the first international senior men's football tournament organised by FIFA.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  2. Uruguay hosted the first World Cup in 1930 to celebrate the centenary of Uruguayan independence and their back-to-back Olympic football gold medals (1924, 1928).

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  3. Uruguay won the first World Cup, beating Argentina 4-2 in the final in Montevideo on 30 July 1930.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  4. Only 13 teams competed in the 1930 World Cup: 7 from South America, 4 from Europe, and 2 from North America. Travel by ship deterred many European nations.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  5. The original trophy was called the Jules Rimet Trophy in honour of the FIFA president who founded the competition. It was awarded permanently to Brazil in 1970 after their third title.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  6. The Second World War cancelled both: the 1942 tournament, awarded before the war began, was never staged, and no 1946 edition was organised either. The World Cup returned in Brazil in 1950, twelve years after the previous one.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · applied

  7. The men's began in 1930 and the women's in 1991, a gap that reflects the bans on women's football that stood in several countries for much of that time.

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup history · recall

  8. China hosted the first Women's World Cup in 1991. USA won it, beating Norway 2-1 in the final in Guangzhou.

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup history · recall

  9. The World Cup has been held every 4 years since 1930, with the exception of 1942 and 1946 (WW2).

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  10. The 1991 Women's World Cup featured 12 teams. The tournament has since expanded to 32 teams (from 2023 in Australia/New Zealand).

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup history · recall

Test 2Champions and finalsTake a test

  1. Brazil holds the record with 5 World Cup titles: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002. They are also the only nation to have played in every World Cup.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  2. Germany has won 4 World Cups: 1954 (as West Germany), 1974 (West Germany), 1990 (West Germany), and 2014 (unified Germany).

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  3. Italy has won 4 World Cups: 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006. They are level with Germany for second-most titles.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  4. Argentina has won 3 World Cups: 1978, 1986 (Maradona era), and 2022 (Messi era, beating France on penalties).

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  5. France won the 2018 World Cup, defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow. It was France's second title (after 1998).

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  6. Argentina won the 2022 World Cup, beating France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. It was Messi's first World Cup title.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  7. USA has won 4 Women's World Cups: 1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019 — more than any other nation.

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup history · recall

  8. Spain won the 2023 Women's World Cup (co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand), beating England 1-0 in the final. It was Spain's first Women's WC title.

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup history · recall

  9. Italy in 1934 and 1938, Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Nobody has won three in a row.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  10. Uruguay was the first host to win at home, in 1930. Six hosts in total have won at home: Uruguay 1930, Italy 1934, England 1966, West Germany 1974, Argentina 1978, France 1998.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

Test 3Top scorers and recordsTake a test

  1. Twenty-two goals, passing Messi in the 2026 third-place match. Miroslav Klose's record of sixteen, set in 2014, fell during that tournament.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

  2. Just Fontaine (France) scored 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup — a single-tournament record that still stands.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

  3. Kylian Mbappé (France) won the 2022 Golden Boot with 8 goals, including a hat-trick in the final. Messi finished second with 7.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

  4. Marta (Brazil) is the all-time top scorer in Women's World Cup history with 17 goals, scored at five tournaments (2003-2019); she played a sixth in 2023 without adding to the tally.

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup records · recall

  5. Thirty-four across six tournaments from 2006 to 2026, ahead of Matthaus on twenty-five.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

  6. Pelé scored twice in the 1958 final aged just 17 — the youngest ever to score in a World Cup final. Brazil beat Sweden 5-2.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

  7. 2006 through 2026. Messi has now scored at five, and no one else has managed more than four.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

  8. Turkey against South Korea in the 2002 third-place match. Masek's goal after about fifteen seconds for Czechoslovakia in 1962 had stood for forty years.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

  9. In 2014 and 2022. Maradona won it once, in 1986, and Zidane in 2006.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

  10. Hungary scored 27 goals in the 1954 World Cup, still a record for a single tournament. They famously lost the final to West Germany.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

Test 4Iconic moments and controversiesTake a test

  1. Maradona scored the 'Hand of God' with his fist against England in the 1986 quarter-final in Mexico. He also scored the 'Goal of the Century' in the same match.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  2. Zidane headbutted Materazzi in the 2006 final and was sent off. Italy went on to win on penalties. It was Zidane's last professional match.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  3. Brazil needed only a draw in front of about 200,000 at the Maracana on 16 July 1950 and lost 2-1.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  4. Germany beat host nation Brazil 7-1 in the 2014 semi-final — one of the most shocking results in WC history. Brazil were without Neymar and Thiago Silva.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  5. He ran from inside his own half past five England players, four minutes after the Hand of God.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  6. He bit Giorgio Chiellini in a group match and was banned for nine internationals and four months.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  7. England beat West Germany 4-2 in extra time at Wembley in 1966. Hurst's second goal (the 'did it cross the line?' shot) remains debated. England's only WC title.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  8. A 2-1 quarter-final in Paris, both goals from Megan Rapinoe. The United States went on to win the tournament.

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup history · recall

  9. Brazil won the WC in Sweden 1958 (led by 17-year-old Pelé) and Chile 1962 (with Garrincha, as Pelé got injured). Pelé is the only player with 3 WC winner medals.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  10. Messi scored twice and Mbappe took a hat-trick, the first in a final since 1966.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

Test 5Legendary matches and rivalriesTake a test

  1. Austria beat Switzerland 7-5 in the 1954 QF — 12 goals total, still a WC record for a single match.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

  2. Chile vs Italy at the 1962 WC in Santiago is remembered for extraordinary violence: broken bones, punches, and 2 red cards. Referee Ken Aston later invented the yellow/red card system.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  3. West Germany beat Austria 1-0 in a Gijón group match (1982) with both teams playing conservatively to eliminate Algeria. Led to WC rule change: final group matches now played simultaneously.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  4. North Korea beat Italy 1-0 at Ayresome Park in the 1966 WC — one of the biggest upsets ever. Italy went home early.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  5. West Germany's 3-2 win over Hungary in the 1954 final (Bern) is the 'Miracle of Bern'. Hungary were 2-0 up after 8 minutes. Marked the start of West German football dominance.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  6. Brazil beat Italy 4-1 in the 1970 final at Estadio Azteca. Pelé scored the opener and set up Carlos Alberto's iconic team goal. Brazil's 3rd title, keeping the Jules Rimet trophy.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  7. Colombia is nicknamed 'Los Cafeteros' (the Coffee Growers) referencing their coffee industry. Notable WC campaigns: 1990, 1994, 2014 (QF), 2018.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  8. Cameroon reached the QF at Italia 90, becoming the first African nation to do so. Roger Milla (aged 38) scored 4 goals and became a global star.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  9. Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final at Qatar 2022, beating Spain and Portugal en route.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  10. They beat France 5-4 on penalties in the 1982 semi-final at Seville, the first shoot-out the tournament had seen.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

Test 6Format evolutionTake a test

  1. 32 teams competed at Qatar 2022. This 32-team format ran from France 1998 to Qatar 2022. The 2026 WC expands to 48 teams.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  2. The 2026 World Cup was the first with 48 teams, expanded from 32. They were drawn into 12 groups of 4 and played 104 matches in all.

    Source: FIFA 2026 tournament regulations · recall

  3. WC 2026 uses 12 groups of 4 teams. FIFA initially considered 16 groups of 3, but adopted 12 groups of 4 for player welfare and sporting integrity.

    Source: FIFA 2026 tournament regulations · recall

  4. WC 2026 will have 104 matches — 72 group stage + 32 knockout — up from 64 at Qatar 2022. The tournament runs 11 June to 19 July 2026.

    Source: FIFA 2026 tournament regulations · recall

  5. WC 2026 adds a Round of 32 as the first knockout stage — the top 2 from each group plus the 8 best third-placed teams advance. The winner plays 8 matches (1 more than 2022).

    Source: FIFA 2026 tournament regulations · recall

  6. Thirteen entered in 1930, when Europe had to reach Uruguay by ship. The 2026 field was forty-eight.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  7. France 1998 was the first WC with 32 teams (8 groups of 4). Before that: 24 teams from 1982-1994; 16 teams before.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  8. VAR debuted at the 2018 Russia World Cup. It reviewed 4 categories: goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game / FIFA · recall

  9. The 2023 Women's WC (Australia/New Zealand) expanded to 32 teams — the same size as the men's WC 2022. Previously 24 teams (2015, 2019).

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup history · recall

  10. Brazil is the only nation to have participated in every FIFA World Cup from 1930 to 2022 — a unique record.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

Test 7Host countriesTake a test

  1. The first World Cup with three hosts, and Mexico's third after 1970 and 1986.

    Source: FIFA 2026 tournament regulations · recall

  2. Mexico staged the tournament in 1970 and 1986 before returning as a co-host, the only nation to reach three.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  3. On 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, home of the NFL's Giants and Jets.

    Source: FIFA 2026 tournament regulations · recall

  4. Qatar hosted the 2022 WC — the first WC in the Arab world, and the first held in November-December (to avoid extreme summer heat).

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  5. They shared the 2002 tournament, the first held in Asia and the first with two hosts.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  6. South Africa hosted the 2010 WC — the first WC held on African soil. Spain won the tournament.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  7. Australia and New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 Women's WC — the first Women's WC held in the Southern Hemisphere.

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup history · recall

  8. Brazil will host the 2027 Women's WC — the first Women's WC held in South America.

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup history · recall

  9. The Maracanã in Rio hosted the 1950 final match (Uruguay beat Brazil) and the 2014 final (Germany beat Argentina 1-0).

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  10. Russia hosted the 2018 WC. France won the tournament, beating Croatia 4-2 in the final at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

Test 8Individual awardsTake a test

  1. The Golden Boot (Adidas Golden Boot since 2010) is given to the top scorer of the tournament. Silver and Bronze Boots go to 2nd and 3rd top scorers.

    Source: FIFA World Cup awards · recall

  2. The Golden Ball is awarded to the best player of the tournament, voted by media representatives. Silver and Bronze Ball for 2nd and 3rd.

    Source: FIFA World Cup awards · recall

  3. The Golden Glove is awarded to the best goalkeeper. Named the 'Lev Yashin Award' from 1994-2006, renamed 'Golden Glove' in 2010.

    Source: FIFA World Cup awards · recall

  4. His second, after 2014, which made him the first player to win it twice.

    Source: FIFA World Cup awards · recall

  5. Modrić (Croatia) won the Golden Ball at Russia 2018 despite Croatia losing the final. He also won the Ballon d'Or later that year.

    Source: FIFA World Cup awards · recall

  6. Kylian Mbappé (France) won the Young Player Award at Russia 2018, scoring 4 goals including one in the final. He was 19.

    Source: FIFA World Cup awards · recall

  7. Aitana Bonmatí (Spain) won the Golden Ball at the 2023 Women's WC after Spain won the tournament. She also won the Ballon d'Or Feminin.

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup awards · recall

  8. Harry Kane (England) won the 2018 Golden Boot with 6 goals — 3 of them in the group stage against Panama.

    Source: FIFA World Cup awards · recall

  9. Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez won the Golden Glove at Qatar 2022, making the decisive save against Kolo Muani in extra time of the final.

    Source: FIFA World Cup awards · recall

  10. The FIFA Fair Play Award is given to the team with the best sporting conduct — based on cards, positive play, and respect for opponents and officials.

    Source: FIFA World Cup awards · recall

Test 9Recent tournaments detailTake a test

  1. Morocco reached the 2022 semi-final under Walid Regragui — beating Belgium, Spain, Portugal. Lost 2-0 to France in the SF. First African/Arab semifinalist.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  2. Goncalo Ramos against Switzerland in the round of sixteen, and Mbappe in the final, the first in a final since Geoff Hurst in 1966.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

  3. Montiel scored the decisive fourth penalty, minutes after conceding the handball that gave Mbappe his third goal of the night from the spot.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  4. Croatia finished 3rd at Qatar 2022, beating Morocco 2-1 in the third-place playoff. It was their third podium, after third place in 1998 and the final in 2018.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  5. Japan beat Germany 2-1 in their opening group match in Qatar. Germany then finished third in the group and were out, as they had been in 2018 as holders.

    Source: FIFA World Cup history · recall

  6. WC 2026 runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026 — 39 days across USA, Canada, and Mexico.

    Source: FIFA 2026 tournament regulations · recall

  7. In Washington on 5 December 2025, where the twelve groups of four were drawn.

    Source: FIFA 2026 tournament regulations · recall

  8. Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan, helped by the expansion from thirty-two places to forty-eight.

    Source: FIFA 2026 tournament regulations · recall

  9. Five players shared it on three: Messi, Griezmann, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic.

    Source: FIFA World Cup records · recall

  10. France went out 2-1 to the eventual champions in the quarter-final in Paris, Megan Rapinoe scoring both. No host has won the Women's World Cup since the USA in 1999.

    Source: FIFA Women's World Cup history · recall

Test 10QualifyingTake a test

  1. The host qualifies by right, which is why all three of the 2026 co-hosts were in the draw without having played a competitive match for it.

    Source: Football history and competition records · recall

  2. Europe has sixteen of the forty-eight places, Africa nine, Asia eight, South America six, North and Central America six including the hosts, and Oceania one.

    Source: Football history and competition records · recall

  3. Up from five, a gain of four direct places that only Asia matched, and the reason Cape Verde could reach a first finals in 2026.

    Source: Football history and competition records · recall

  4. Six sides drawn from five confederations meet in a short tournament, and two of them reach the finals.

    Source: Football history and competition records · recall

  5. France were the last champions excused qualifying. Brazil had to play their way to 2006, and the rule has not returned.

    Source: Football history and competition records · recall

  6. Sweden eliminated them in 2017 and North Macedonia in 2022, both times over a single knockout tie after Italy finished second in their group.

    Source: Football history and competition records · recall

  7. Uzbekistan had never reached a finals, getting closest in 2006 when a play-off against Bahrain went against them.

    Source: Football history and competition records · recall

  8. FIFA's qualifying regulations rank teams level on points by goal difference over all group matches, then by goals scored, and only then by the matches between the teams concerned; drawing lots is the last resort.

    Source: Football history and competition records · recall

  9. Oceania received a direct place for the first time rather than a play-off, and New Zealand took it.

    Source: Football history and competition records · recall

  10. Eighteen matches spread over three years, home and away against everyone, which is why the format is regarded as the hardest road to a World Cup.

    Source: Football history and competition records · recall

Sources

FIFA / UEFA / CONMEBOL / CAF / national FA official records

  • FIFA World Cup history46
  • FIFA World Cup records13
  • FIFA Women's World Cup history10
  • Football history and competition records10
  • FIFA 2026 tournament regulations9
  • FIFA World Cup awards9
  • FIFA Women's World Cup records1
  • IFAB Laws of the Game / FIFA1
  • FIFA Women's World Cup awards1