WorldCup Club
Interesting FIFA World Cup trivia, records, and memorable moments.
In the 2022 final, Argentina drew 3-3 with France. Messi and Mbappe each scored a hat-trick, and Argentina won on penalties. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest World Cup finals.
VAR was first introduced at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with 335 reviews and 28 decisions overturned.
In the 2014 semi-final, Brazil lost 1-7 to Germany at home. Brazil conceded five goals in 38 minutes in one of the darkest days in its football history.
At the 2010 World Cup, Paul the Octopus from a German aquarium correctly predicted the outcomes of eight matches and became a global sensation.
In extra time of the 2006 final, Zinedine Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi, was sent off, and ended his career in dramatic fashion.
At the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldo's famous haircut became iconic and one of the tournament's most memorable images.
Before the 1998 final, Ronaldo suffered a convulsion and was taken to hospital, but still started. Brazil then lost 0-3 to France, and the incident remains controversial.
In Argentina vs England in 1986, Maradona dribbled from midfield past multiple defenders and scored what became known as the 'Goal of the Century'.
In the 1986 quarter-final between Argentina and England, Maradona scored with his hand and the goal stood. He later called it the 'Hand of God'.
In the 1970 semi-final, Italy beat West Germany 4-3 after extra time, with five extra-time goals. The match became known as the 'Game of the Century'.
In the 1966 final, Geoff Hurst's shot hit the bar and bounced down near the line. The goal was awarded and is still debated today.
In the 1954 final, West Germany came from behind to beat Hungary 3-2 after losing 3-8 to them earlier in the tournament. The win became known as the 'Miracle of Bern'.
In the 1950 decisive match at Maracana, Uruguay beat Brazil 2-1. Nearly 200,000 home fans fell from celebration into silence.
There have been 54 hat-tricks in World Cup history. The first was scored by Bert Patenaude of the USA in 1930.
The first World Cup mascot appeared in 1966: World Cup Willie the lion. Every tournament since has had its own mascot.
The 1990 anthem 'Un'estate italiana' and the 1998 anthem 'La Copa de la Vida' are among the most iconic World Cup songs.
At the 1970 World Cup, Adidas introduced 'Telstar', the first iconic black-and-white World Cup ball for the color TV era.
Penalty shootouts were introduced in World Cup regulations in 1978. The first World Cup shootout took place in the 1982 semi-final between West Germany and France.
Hungary beat El Salvador 10-1 in 1982, the largest winning margin in World Cup history.
From 1930 through 2022, Brazil participated in every World Cup edition.
