The FIFA World Cup is an international soccer tournament that features national teams from across the world competing for soccer supremacy. The FIFA World Cup is held every four years, and the location changes for each event. The World Cup originated in 1930, with the most recent taking place in 2010.
Origin of FIFA
FIFA, which stands for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, was founded on May 21, 1904. The first FIFA Congress occurred the next day, and league officials created the original rules and regulations that would govern FIFA competitions. The nations involved in the founding of FIFA were Belgium, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
FIFA World Cup Origins
French businessman Jules Rimet, who was inspired to create an international soccer competition after watching the Paris Summer Olympic Games of 1924, proposed the FIFA World Cup. The FIFA board approved Rimet's proposal in 1928.
First FIFA World Cup
The first FIFA World Cup was held in 1930, after the FIFA Congress of 1929 appointed Uruguay to be the first host country. Only four European teams participated because of the cost of travel. Host country Uruguay won the first FIFA World Cup event.
First World Cup Win Streak
Because of the poor European turnout in 1930, Uruguay elected not to participate in the 1934 World Cup in Italy. Italy won the 1934 FIFA World Cup and became the first team to successfully defend its title by winning the 1938 event, held in France.
War Years
The FIFA World Cup was not held in 1942 or 1946 because of World War II. The tournament returned in 1950 with a competition in Brazil. This was the first time the World Cup consisted of groups, with 16 teams divided into four groups of play. However, only 13 teams showed up for the competition, which Uruguay won.
Host Country Configuration and Latest World Cups
In 1958, the FIFA World Cup designated a requirement for host country location: The tournament would alternate between Europe and the Americas. However, with the addition of new teams, this configuration changed in 2002, as Japan and Korea co-hosted the FIFA World Cup. The 2010 FIFA World Cup was held in South Africa, and Spain won the championship over the Netherlands by a score of 1-0. The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be held in Brazil.
Women's World Cup
The Women's World Cup began in 1991, with the first tournament held in China. That tournament was won by the United States, who would repeat the feat at the 1999 event held in the United States. The United States and Germany, who won the World Cup in 2003 and 2007, are the only teams to win multiple Women's World Cups. Norway won the 1995 event. Germany will host the 2011 event.
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