The FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa featured a month of drama and unpredictability. A team from New Zealand that included amateur players went undefeated, Ghana carried the hopes of a continent into the later rounds and Holland upset Brazil. A sizzling third-place consolation game between Uruguay and Germany overshadowed Spain's victory over Holland in the final. Record television audiences in the U.S., comparable to those for a baseball World Series, made it seem that Americans had at last figured out why the World Cup so excites the rest of the world.
History
From 1930 in Uruguay through 2010 in South Africa, the FIFA World Cup has been held 19 times on five continents, occurring every four years except in 1942 and 1946, as World War II suspended the contest. France, Italy and Germany have each hosted the World Cup twice, while Switzerland, Sweden, England and Spain have hosted it each once. In the Americas, Mexico has hosted the Cup twice and the U.S. once. One Asian pairing, Korea and Japan, also hosted the Cup, and no African country other than South Africa.
Winners
Eight different national teams have won the World Cup, led by Brazil with five wins, followed by Italy with four. Germany has won three times, and Argentina and Uruguay, twice each. Spain, France and England have each won once.
Set-up
Each of the 208 members of FIFA, international soccer's governing body, can attempt to reach the World Cup Finals. The three years before a tournament consist of qualifying games organized by group, which include North America, Central America and the Caribbean; as well as South America, Oceania, Africa, Asia and Europe. Thirty-two teams ultimately qualify for the eight groups in the tournament, including guaranteed spots for the host nation and the defending champion. The four teams in each group play each other, and the two teams with the best results advance to a round of 16. Quarterfinals, semifinals and a final determine the eventual winner.
Awards
The best player in the World Cup wins the Golden Ball award, won by Uruguay's Diego Forlan in 2010, Zinedine Zidane of France in 2006, Oliver Kahn of Germany in 2002 and Ronaldo of Brazil in 1998. The Golden Boot goes to the top goal scorer, in 2010 Thomas Mueller of Germany, in 2006 Miroslav Klose of Germany, in 2002 Ronaldo of Brazil and in 1998 Davor Suker of Croatia. The FIFA Fair Play Trophy goes for the team with the best record of fair play, according to a points system that takes into account number of fouls committed. Spain won in 2010, while Brazil and Spain shared the award in 2006, Belgium won in 2002, and England and France in 1998.
Member Comments