Soccer fever is in the air! Everywhere you turn the world is obsessed with soccer, from billboards to TV ads; from national team, jerseys to face paint. The biggest soccer tournament on the planet is here, and everyone is having a good time with family and friends.
Most people know that Russia wis this year’s host, but many might not remember when and where the very first competition took place. If you’re into learning interesting facts and the history behind the tournament, read on:
1. Russia is hosting the event for the first time
Even though the country has participated in 11 contests, it's their first time as host which comes with automatic entry into the tournament. The 64 matches will be played in 12 stadiums located in 11 Russian cities.
2. The first tournament took place in 1930
The biggest soccer event in the world celebrates its 88th anniversary this year. The first competition was held in Uruguay and each country was allowed to participate without prior qualification.
3. Brazil is the big winner
This South American country has taken the golden trophy home a total of five times. Alas, Brazil has never won the competition as a host.
4. Team USA qualified for every tournament since 1990
This will be the first time that the American team will not be participating in over two decades.
5. A total of 32 participating countries
Iceland and Panama are new to the contest this year.
6. It all stays in Europe and South America
While the tournament has had participants from every continent, the golden trophy has remained in a European country 11 times, and South American country 9 times.
7. A Big prize for the winner
The team that wins this year is expected to take home $38 million; second place, $28 million; third, $24 million; and fourth, $22 million.
8. A very selective prize
Despite having celebrated 20 tournaments since 1930, only 8 nations have taken the treasured trophy home. These are the countries that have won: Brazil (5), Germany (4), Italy (4), Argentina (2), Uruguay (2), England (1), France (1), and Spain (1).
9. Mexico, the biggest qualifier
The North American country is the team to have qualified the most times without winning. They have participated a total of 16 times in the tournament.
10. Germany scores big
It’s one of the teams aspiring to come out on top this year and is also the country that has scored the most goals in the past three tournaments.
11. India qualified once but did not participate
In 1950, the Indian national team qualified for the first time. However, they chose to withdraw because players played barefoot, and the international football association mandates that all players wear cleats.
12. Sochi also makes it to the tournament
Russia hosted the opening and closing 2014 Winter Olympics Games at Fisht Stadium, in Sochi. The stadium was turned into a soccer pitch and reopened in 2017.
13. The most viewed sporting event
According to FIFA, this seminal international soccer event reached a viewership of approximately 3.2 billion people for the 2014 competition or almost half of the world's population.
We hope you found some interesting information among these fun facts. Enjoy the tournament!