FIFA World Cup History

Have you ever wondered how one of the world’s largest sports events was created? The FIFA World Cup is a global soccer tournament that attracts billions of viewers across the world. Every four years, the top international soccer teams represent their countries on the world stage, playing in the most competitive soccer event ever. The event has a history that has played a role in its popularity today.

History of the FIFA World Cup

In 1863, the first official set of soccer rules was published in England, outlining how the game should be played. While soccer existed in different forms prior to then, England’s Football Association formally outlined the basic soccer rules, allowing the game to spread universally. Throughout the rest of the 1800s, while British citizens migrated around the globe, they brought their domestically popular game with them. Soccer began to take root in many countries, growing the sport.

Once soccer became globally popular, many saw it necessary to create a universal governing body for the sport. In 1904, seven European countries came together to form FIFA, furthering soccer’s global presence. As the sport became even more popular, new countries began creating international teams.

In the 1920s, the Olympic soccer games highlighted the influence that England’s game had on the world. As various countries competed, highlighting differences in skill level, two French members of FIFA pondered the idea of an international soccer tournament. While soccer was already played in the Olympics, Jules Rimet and Henri Delaunay thought that the sport deserved its own international tournament, as soccer was not the sole focus of the Olympics. At this time, they proposed the concept of the FIFA World Cup. As the 1920s went on, FIFA was in the process of organizing the tournament and its logistics. Since Uruguay most recently won the 1924 and 1928 Olympic gold medals for soccer, it was decided that they would be the host of the first FIFA World Cup. Finally, in 1930, Jules Rimet and Henri Delaunay’s World Cup came to fruition.

Since 1930, the FIFA World Cup has occurred every four years, though, with two exceptions. Due to World War II and its devastating impact across the globe, the 1942 and 1946 FIFA World Cups were canceled. These two occasions were the first and last times that the FIFA World Cup would be canceled in history. 1950 saw the reinstatement of the tournament and the continuing growth of popularity worldwide. This trend persists to this day. In 2022, the FIFA World Cup will be hosted in Qatar, making it the first World Cup that has ever been hosted in the Middle East.

Key Dates And Facts Timeline

1863-Early 1900s: The English Football Association publishes the first official set of soccer rules. As British people migrate around the globe, they bring soccer and its official rules with them, spreading the sport.

1904: FIFA is created to serve as the sport’s international governing body. Members of the soccer associations of Denmark, Belgium, France, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Switzerland are the original creators.

1920s: Jules Rimet and Henri Delaunay, two French members of the FIFA governing body, develop the early idea of the FIFA World Cup, proposing it to FIFA’s member nations. A complete soccer tournament is too big for the Olympics alone.

1930: The first FIFA World Cup is held. FIFA determines that Uruguay will be the host, as they won the recent 1924 and 1928 Olympic gold medals for soccer.

1942 and 1946: The 1942 and 1946 FIFA World Cups are canceled due to the Second World War. This will be the only instance in history that the FIFA World Cup is canceled. In 1950, the World Cup returns, being hosted in Brazil.

1946: The golden FIFA World Cup trophy, depicting the Greek god Nike, is officially named the Jules Rimet Trophy. This is due to Rimet’s influence in creating the FIFA World Cup.

1974: Following the 1966 theft and retrieval of the Jules Rimet Trophy, FIFA switches the World Cup Trophy to the current design. The new World Cup Trophy features two gold figures holding up a globe. This is the trophy that is still used today.

2022: The FIFA World Cup will be held in Qatar. It is the first World Cup in history that is being hosted in the Middle East.

FAQ