Besides the action on the field, there are plenty of strange and interesting facts that even the biggest football fans might not know. From the first-ever soccer World Cup to the upcoming World Cup 2026, let’s take a deep dive into the most fascinating trivia about the greatest sporting event on the planet.
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Fun Facts About FIFA World Cup That Every Football Fan Should Know
(1) The First-Ever FIFA World Cup Had Only 13 Teams
(2) The Trophy Was Once Stolen and Found by a Dog
(3) Brazil is the Most Successful FIFA World Cup Nation
(4) The Highest-Scoring World Cup Match Ever is Austria vs Switzerland
(5) Zinedine Zidane’s Headbutt is One of the Most Iconic Moments
(6) The 2022 Edition Was the First-Ever Held in Winter
(7) The FIFA World Cup 2026 Will Be the Biggest Ever
(8) The Infamous “Hand of God” Goal
(9) The Official World Cup Ball Has a Story Every Time
(10) The Only Player to Win Three FIFA World Cups
(11) Germany Holds the Record for Most Appearances in Finals
(12) The Fastest Goal in FIFA World Cup History
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1. The First-Ever FIFA World Cup Had Only 13 Teams
In 1930, the first-ever FIFA World Cup took place in Uruguay. Just 13 teams took part, mostly from the Americas, since getting across the Atlantic was pretty tough and costly. Unlike today, the tournament didn't have a group stage; it was just four groups leading to knockout rounds.
In a cool twist, Uruguay won the first title by beating Argentina 4-2 in front of a crowd of 93,000 in Montevideo. That victory sparked a tradition that continues today, as the winners of each FIFA World Cup are celebrated as national heroes.
2. The Trophy Was Once Stolen and Found by a Dog
Perhaps one of the most bizarre moments in FIFA football history was in 1966 when the World Cup trophy, then called the Jules Rimet Trophy, was stolen just months before the tournament in England. It threw everyone for a loop, and people were worried.
Then, an unexpected hero showed up: a dog named Pickles. While wandering around a garden in South London, Pickles sniffed out the trophy hidden under a bush and wrapped in newspaper. He quickly became famous, getting medals, awards, and even starring in movies.
3. Brazil is the Most Successful FIFA World Cup Nation
Brazil holds the record for the most FIFA World Cup wins, having taken home the trophy five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. Famous for their flashy playing style, they've given us football legends like Pelé, Romário, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho. Plus, Brazil is the only country that’s been at every World Cup since it started in 1930, showing its strong FIFA football tradition and success over the years.
4. The Highest-Scoring World Cup Match Ever is Austria vs Switzerland
Back in 1954, Austria took on Switzerland and won 7-5 in the highest-scoring match ever at the FIFA World Cup. Yep, 12 goals in one game! This thrilling match took place in Lausanne, Switzerland, and featured comebacks, shifts in lead, and some crazy moments. People still talk about it as the Hitzeschlacht von Lausanne or the Heat Battle of Lausanne because the intense heat really impacted how the players performed.
5. Zinedine Zidane’s Headbutt is One of the Most Iconic Moments
The FIFA World Cup 2006 final between France and Italy will forever be remembered for one reason: Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt. In what turned out to be his last game, Zidane was shown a red card after he headbutted Marco Materazzi during extra time. France ended up losing on penalties, but that incident remains one of the most discussed moments in FIFA World Cup history.
Zidane had already scored a penalty earlier in the game and seemed to be on his way to hero status. Instead, he became legendary for something completely unexpected.
Image Credit: GettyImages
6. The 2022 Edition Was the First-Ever Held in Winter
The FIFA World Cup 2022 took place in Qatar and was unique because it happened in the winter for the first time. Normally, the games are played in June and July, but the intense summer heat in the Middle East led to a change in schedule to November and December.
Even with some worries about the timing and the weather, the tournament turned out to be a big hit. Fans enjoyed amazing stadiums, surprising upsets, and saw Lionel Messi lift the trophy, which many felt was a dream ending to his international career.
7. The FIFA World Cup 2026 Will Be the Biggest Ever
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 teams instead of the usual 32. The United States, Canada, and Mexico will host together for the first time. With this, there will be more matches, more places to play, and chances for smaller nations to show what they can do. You can read more about the format and host cities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in detail.
8. The Infamous “Hand of God” Goal
Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 quarterfinal against England is one of the most controversial moments in FIFA World Cup history. He knocked the ball into the net, and the referee missed the handball, so it counted.
Later in the game, he scored what a lot of people say is the best goal ever, dribbling past five England players starting from the halfway line. Argentina ended up winning the tournament, and Maradona’s reputation as a talent and a bit of a troublemaker was sealed for good.
9. The Official World Cup Ball Has a Story Every Time
Every edition of the FIFA World Cup features a specially designed official World Cup ball. From the Telstar back in 1970 to the Jabulani used in 2010, soccer balls have always brought some buzz, and sometimes a bit of drama. Take the Jabulani, for instance. Players slammed it for not flying straight, but it still brought some style to the World Cup, and fans have some good memories of it.
The ball for FIFA World Cup 2022, named Al Rihla, featured cutting-edge technology, including motion sensors that helped officials track ball movement during VAR reviews.
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10. Pele is the Only Player to Win Three FIFA World Cups
Brazil’s Pelé holds a unique record: he is the only footballer to have won three FIFA World Cup titles, 1958, 1962, and 1970. When he was just 17 in 1958, Pelé amazed everyone by scoring three goals in the semifinal and two more in the final. His impact on football has been huge, and what he accomplished in the World Cup is still unmatched.
11. Germany Holds the Record for Most Appearances in Finals
Germany has reached the FIFA World Cup final eight times, more than any other country. They have won the trophy four times: in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014. They've also lost in four finals, with the last one being against Brazil in 2002.
Their steady performance over the years has earned them a spot among the top football teams in FIFA football history. With players like Gerd Müller and Miroslav Klose, they've built a reputation for being efficient and great at scoring goals.
12. The Fastest Goal in FIFA World Cup History
The fastest goal in FIFA World Cup history was scored by Hakan Şükür of Turkey when he netted in 11 seconds into the game against South Korea, during the third-place match. That quick goal surprised everyone, including the defense, and amazed fans everywhere.
13. The FIFA World Cup Is Watched by Billions
The FIFA World Cup is the most-watched sporting event on the planet, with the 2018 final alone drawing more than 1.1 billion viewers globally. Football is more than just a game; it really brings people together. Whether you’re rooting for your home country or following stars like Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, the FIFA World Cup is always an amazing experience.
Wrapping It Up
The FIFA World Cup is not just about who lifts the trophy; it's about the drama, the stories, and the little-known facts that make the tournament magical. From quirky mascots to unexpected heroes, every edition adds new memories to the tapestry of football history. As we gear up for the World Cup 2026, get ready for some record-breaking moments, fresh stars coming into the spotlight, and fans everywhere caught up in the excitement again.
Whether you're reminiscing about past tournaments or counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026, it’s clear that this event is special. It's all about football, passion, and life.
People Also Asked About FIFA World Cup Fun Facts
What are some fun facts about the FIFA game?
The FIFA video game series is a really popular soccer game made by EA Sports with FIFA, the organization that runs football worldwide. You can play it in 18 languages, and it’s available in 51 countries. It even made it into the Guinness World Records as the best-selling sports video game series of all time.
What are some fun facts about the World Cup trophy?
The first trophy was originally called Victory but was later renamed after FIFA president Jules Rimet. It was made of gold-plated sterling silver and had a base made of lapis lazuli. The trophy featured Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.
Did you know fun facts about football?
Franz Beckenbauer is a big name in soccer and is known as one of the top defensive players who also made great attacking plays. He led West Germany as captain and helped them win 50 matches, plus he was named European Player of the Year twice. Diego Maradona's fans admire him. But, like anyone, he faced some challenges on and off the field.
Who won the first FIFA World Cup?
Uruguay national football team.
What are some unbelievable football facts?
Most people think the word football comes from the idea of kicking a ball with your foot.
Which sport has the most fans?
Soccer has the biggest fan base globally, and it's clear that people enjoy this game. According to Bleacher Report, soccer is played in 208 countries and is the top sport in 93 of those, reaching a total population of about 2 billion.
Who is known as the father of football?
Ebeneezer Cobb Morley, known as the guy who started the Football Association, was born on August 16, 1831, at 10 Garden Square, Mason Street in Hull. That’s pretty close to where the Hull History Centre is today.
Who are the 2022 World Cup winners?
Argentina national football team.
Will Messi play the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Messi will be playing in the 2026 World Cup, according to the Argentina Football Association. In Dubai, a top official shared that Messi will lead Argentina as they try to defend their title. This comes after he recently rejoined the national team after being away for seven months.
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