history of world cup essay

The History of the World Cup

Academic takes on the global football tournament.

First, the basics. The World Cup is run by FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Heidrun Homburg details the history of the financing of world football.

The World Cup began in 1930. In that final, Uruguay beat Argentina 4–2. But World Cup fever required a global audience, and Fabio Chisari details “ When Football Went Global: Televising the 1966 World Cup .” England beat West German in the 1966 final, 4–2.

And tackling a perennial problem—or is it, anymore?—Koen Stroeken asks “ Why ‘The World’ Loves Watching Football (And ‘The Americans Don’t ’).” The US had a team in that first World Cup in Uruguay.

Paul Darby reminds us that politics are never far from the great game in “ Africa, the FIFA Presidency, and the Governance of World Football: 1974, 1998, and 2002 .”

Christiane Eisenberg admits that “the border between academic and popular studies are muddy in this area,” like the pitch, or field, sometimes, in her in-depth “ International Bibliography of Football History .”

JSTOR is a digital library for scholars, researchers, and students. JSTOR Daily readers can access the original research behind our articles for free on JSTOR.

Get Our Newsletter

Get your fix of JSTOR Daily’s best stories in your inbox each Thursday.

Privacy Policy   Contact Us You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the provided link on any marketing message.

More Stories

• Tramping Across the USSR (On One Leg)

• Harvey Houses: Serving the West

• Pakistan’s Ambiguous Islamic Identity

Zheng He, the Great Eunuch Admiral

Recent posts.

• How Government Helped Birth the Advertising Industry
• MeerKAT: The South African Radio Telescope That’s Transformed Our Understanding of the Cosmos

Support JSTOR Daily

Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

• Tournaments

Home › Tournaments › World Cup

The history of FIFA World Cup

All world cup tournaments, teams with most titles and finals, world cup finals, top goalscorers.

Before the World Cup was inaugurated, the football tournament arranged as part of the Summer Olympics was given the most prestige. But in the 1920s, the game was facing a transition to professionalism that wasn't consistent with the Olympic spirit. Therefore, the government body, FIFA, made plans to organize a World Cup. The decision of arranging the first edition was officially declared on May 26, 1928.

The first official World Cup was played in Uruguay 1930, and since when the tournament has been held every fourth year (with exceptions for interruption due to the Second World War). There were, however, unofficial pre-FIFA World Cups already in the late 1800s, in a time when only few national teams existed. Another unofficial "world cup" arranged before 1930 was Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy held in 1909 and 1911. Besides that, the Summer Olympic football competitions would be a mark of which the best national teams were before 1930. The Olympic tournaments consisted, however, only of amateur teams – the World Cup became the "real deal".

1930: Urugay

1934: italy, 1938: france, 1950: brazil, 1954: switzerland, 1958: sweden, 1962: chile, 1966: england, 1970: mexico, 1974: west germany, 1978: argentina, 1982: spain, 1986: mexico, 1990: italy, 1994: united states, 1998: france, 2002: korea/japan, 2006: germany, 2010: south africa, 2014: brazil, 2018: russia, 2022: qatar.

Statistics of all national teams that have won or played a final together with numbers of participation in World Cup, concerning the period 1930-2022.

All finals including winners of World Cup tournaments 1930-2022.

* The home and away team are only technical. † No final was played since the tournament was decided by a group phase in which the listed match was the most decisive. a.e.t. stands for after extra time. pen. stands for penalties, meaning the match was decided after extra time and the result includes the penalty shootout.

The home advantage

One noticeable aspect in the World Cup history is that the home team has been over performing. On six occasions have the home team won the competition. Besides, many teams that normally doesn’t compete with the greatest teams have gone far in the tournament then playing on home ground. For example, Sweden in 1958, reaching the final, and South Korea in 2006, reaching the semi-finals.

These players have made most goals in a single World Cup.

There are many players that have done six goals in one World Cup and these are: Erich Probst (1954), Josef Hügi (1954), Max Morlock (1954), Pelé (1958), Helmut Rahn (1958), Helmut Haller (1966), Mario Kempes (1978), Paolo Rossi (1982), Gary Lineker (1986), Salvatore Schillaci (1990), Hristo Stoichkov (1994), Oleg Salenko (1994), Davor Šuker (1998), James Rodríguez (2014) and Harry Kane (2018). The five players that have made most goals overall are Ronaldo (18 goals in 4 tournaments), Miroslav Klose (16 goals in 4 tournaments), Gerd Müller (14 goals in 2 tournaments), Just Fontaine (13 goals in 1 tournament) and Péle (12 goals in 4 tournaments).

World Cup awards

In connection to the World Cup, several awards are given to some players. The most known is The Golden Ball that is awarded to the best player in a FIFA World Cup. Candidates are decided by FIFA which media representatives votes on. Besides the Golden Ball there are also the Silver Ball and the Bronze Ball together with the Golden Boot (top goalscorer) and the Golden Glove (best goalkeeper).

World Cup by continents

A performance comparison by continents (World Cup tournaments 1930-2022).

Numbers of participants and games

Table 5 shows the numbers of participating team in per World Cup tournament. The numbers in the second column concern the final stage and the third column all teams that took part in the qualification. In addition, the numbers of games played (qualification games excluded) is shown in the fourth column.

Prize money

The prize money for the tournament has increased massively during the years. The total prize money for the FIFA World Cup 2022 was $440 million (the winners received $42 million), which can be compared to $20 million for the FIFA World Cup 1982.

World Cup statistics Goal average and other tendences trough the group round and play-off matches.

Most Popular

10 days ago

QuillBot VS Turnitin

How to write a hook, neuroscience vs psychology.

11 days ago

How to Cite a Letter

How to cite yourself, world cup essay sample, example.

International football matches were being held long before the World Cup originated. The first international football match was a challenge between Scotland and England in 1872 in Glasgow. It was a tough match that ended in a draw with 0-0. At this time, football was not that popular internationally, and was not recognized as an Olympic sport. The match was reported on in Bell’s Life in London and Sporting Chronicle on Sunday 1, 1872: “A splendid display of football in the really scientific sense of the word, and a most determined effort on the part of the representatives of the two nationalities to overcome each other. The only thing which saved the Scotch team from defeat, considering the powerful forward play of England, was the magnificent defensive play and tactics shown by their backs, which was also taken advantage of by the forwards” (England Football Online). It was seen as a friendly match and an exhibition of international tournaments to come.

Though England versus Scotland was the first international match, the initial international football tournament happened in 1884, at the first British Home Championship. It featured national teams from Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. According to the National Football Museum, “The first game took place on 26 January 1884 between Ireland and Scotland in Belfast, ending in a 5-0 win for the visitors. Unusually, Ireland were involved in all of the first three matches, these games all taking place within a four week period. This may have accounted for their heavy losses, but the deciding match proved to be Scotland’s 1-0 win against England at Glasgow’s Cathkin Park in March” (“The British Home Championship”). For most of the late 1800s, Scotland was the top team in the world. This is in contrast to the national team of present Scotland, that rarely does well in the World Cup.

From this first international tournament, football grew in popularity in the 20th century. It became more widespread in areas outside of the United Kingdom. By the year 1900, football was included as a sport in the Olympics, though it was labelled as a demonstration sport with no medals given (however, medals were retroactively given). Great Britain won first place, France won second place, and third place was given to Belgium. Football was also included in the 1904 Summer Olympics. In the 1906 Intercalated Games, another international tournament was played. According to the report, “Four teams entered the football tournament, one from Denmark and three from Greek cities, of which two (Smyrna and Thessaloniki) were then part of the Ottoman Empire. While the Athens and Thessaloniki teams consisted of Greek nationals (the Thessaloniki team featured one English national), the Smyrna side was composed of sons of foreign (English, French and Armenian) merchants in the city (nowadays called İzmir)” (“Intermediate Games of the IV. Olympiad”). This competition seemed to be more bent on political participation than on the actual strength of the teams.

FIFA was founded in 1904, and through its organization, it did its best to organize an international tournament outside of the Olympics in 1906 in Switzerland. However, the tournament can be described as a failure. According to FIFA.com, “Various national associations had major worries, with the French governing body divided internally. These difficulties were a heavy burden for the FIFA President who had set about his tasks with so much enthusiasm. Guerin increasingly withdrew from the sport and handed over the administration to Vice-President Schneider and Espir, his personal assistant” (FIFA.com). Despite the fragmentation of governing bodies, the first World Cup (though not officially recognized currently), featured 12 teams, with Uruguay being the surprise champion over second-place Austria, third-place Argentina, and fourth-place England (“1906 FIFA World Cup (AEWCF)”). From this messy first World Cup came many more Olympic football matches and a clear organization for the World Cup in the 1930s.

Though many more details could be added, it can be seen that the rapid growth of football as an international sport gave way to the World Cup and it being included as an Olympic sport. The oldest football clubs were organized in England, and from there it spread through Great Britain. After several international tournaments featuring Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and England, it became an Olympic sport. Subsequent to the sport being an Olympic sport, FIFA was put together, and although the first World Cup of 1906 was deemed a failure in terms of its organization, it marked the beginning of the most-watched sports event in history.

Works Cited

Match Summary: Saturday, 30 November 1872, Association Friendly Match Scotland 0 England 0. England Football Online. www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1872-00/1872-73/M0001Sco1872.html.

“The British Home Championship.” National Football Museum, www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/exhibitions/the-british-home-championship/.

“Intermediate Games of the IV. Olympiad.” South East Asian Games 1997 (Jakarta, Indonesia), www.rsssf.com/tableso/ol1906f.html.

FIFA.com. “History of FIFA – FIFA Takes Shape.” FIFA.com, FIFA, www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/history/fifa-takes-shape.html.

“1906 FIFA World Cup (AEWCF).” Alternative History, althistory.fandom.com/wiki/1906_FIFA_World_Cup_(AEWCF).

Follow us on Reddit for more insights and updates.

Comments (0)

Welcome to A*Help comments!

We’re all about debate and discussion at A*Help.

We value the diverse opinions of users, so you may find points of view that you don’t agree with. And that’s cool. However, there are certain things we’re not OK with: attempts to manipulate our data in any way, for example, or the posting of discriminative, offensive, hateful, or disparaging material.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More from Expository Essay Examples and Samples

Nov 23 2023

Why Is Of Mice And Men Banned

Nov 07 2023

Pride and Prejudice Themes

May 10 2023

Remote Collaboration and Evidence Based Care Essay Sample, Example

Related writing guides, writing an expository essay.

Remember Me

Is English your native language ? Yes No

What is your profession ? Student Teacher Writer Other

Forgotten Password?

Username or Email

The history of the World Cup

2022 marks the 22nd World Cup tournament and the first time we’ve had to wait until the end of the year to see how it pans out. Qatar 2022 is a winter World Cup and represents a radical shift from what we think of when it comes to international football tournaments. In anticipation of the tournament which kicks off on 20 November, let’s take the chance to look back over this hugely popular tournament.

Read more about Sport

Jules Rimet and the Birth of the World Cup

Before the world cup.

Before the first official World Cup, there were other prestigious football competitions. The football tournament arranged as part of the Summer Olympics was considered the most prestigious of all. However, things began to change in the 1920s as football moved into a more professional field, not in keeping with the spirit of the Olympics. The governing body, FIFA, began making plans to make their own world football organisation and plans for the first World Cup were announced on May 26th, 1928.

Read more about Popular Culture

The dark story of Zaire's 9-0 defeat in the 1974 World Cup

The first tournament.

The first World Cup took place in Uruguay in 1930 with the first football matches taking place on July 13th, 1930. The tournament saw France beat Mexico with the USA beating Belgium. The competition saw the hosts Uruguay knock out their great rivals Argentina in the final to become the first nation ever crowned World Cup winners.

Since 1930, the competition has been held every four years except during the Second World War. The war led to a 12-year hiatus in the tournament, with it returning in 1950 in Brazil.

The first World Cup saw just 13 teams compete and in 1978 the number was upped to 16. From 1982, 24 teams made it to the finals of the tournament, and this was once again increased to 32 teams in 1998. The changes aren’t done as the format of the World Cup will significantly change from 2026, when FIFA plan to have 48 teams take part. We’ll have to wait and see how this affects the competition and what other changes will be necessary.

The Home Advantage

An interesting phenomenon seen since the beginning of the World Cup is the power of the home advantage. Home teams traditionally overperform, even in tournaments where it seems like they’d have no chance of success. Playing on home ground has a great effect on teams with standout examples including Sweden which reached the final in 1958 and South Korea which reached the semi-finals at home in 2002.

Read more about Women's history

The 1921 Women's Olympiad: 100 years of women's sport

Fifa world cup 2022.

The FIFA World Cup is being held in the Middle East for the first time in 2022. Qatar beat off competition from many other bids, including the USA, to win the rights to hold the competition. In doing so it has meant many changes to what we usually expect from the World Cup. The biggest change is that the tournament is taking place in November and December. The extreme heat in Qatar makes it dangerous for the tournament to take place at any other time of year. For many fans and players, this means enjoying World Cup fever in a much more wintry climate than usual.

Andrew Watson: The first black international footballer who captained Scotland

5 top world cup facts, 1. f astest goal goes to turkey.

The fastest goal in the history of the World Cup tournament was scored by Turkey. Turkey’s Hakan Sukur scored in just 11 seconds into their game against South Korea in the 2002 World Cup. Other speedy strikes came from Czechoslovakia’s Vaclav Masek (16 seconds) against Mexico in 1962 and Bryan Robson for England (27 seconds) against France in 1982.

2. Buckets of Beer

The 2010 World Cup held in South Africa saw over 3 million bottles of beer sold around the stadia. This equates to over 750,000 litres and while drinking in the stands isn’t allowed in the UK, this isn’t the case in other countries hosting the World Cup. It’s worth remembering Qatar has strict alcohol rules and while beer maybe sold in World Cup stadia, only non-alcoholic drinks are likely to be allowed when seated and watching the games.

3. No Tournament for Barefoot Players

Of all the strange requests FIFA has heard, India’s in 1950 must be one of the weirdest. The Indian national team withdrew from the 1950 World Cup as they were not allowed to play barefoot.

4. Beckenbauer Bounces Back

Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer is the only player in World Cup history to win the title both as a player and as a coach. In 1974 he was instrumental in his nation’s winning of the World Cup as a player and in 1990 he did the same as the coach of the team.

5. More Expensive than ever before

Qatar 2022 will be the most expensive World Cup in history. The host country has spent approximately $200bn on infrastructure projects and getting ready for the tournament. This makes it significantly more expensive than any previous tournament and we’re excited to see the show once it kicks off in November 2022.

Most Recent

D-Day: A detailed timeline of events

10 historical destinations in the UK to visit this summer

10 fascinating facts about ancient druids

'People power is always fascinating': Christopher Eccleston on 'The Guilty Innocent'

More from history.

History of the modern Olympics

History of the Ancient Olympics

Emperor Nero: The most disgraceful competitor in Olympic history

10 sports not in the Olympics

Keep reading.

History's Greatest Hustlers

Top Auctioned Sports Memorabilia

The 10 Greatest Snooker Players of All Time

The Black Widow

You might be interested in.

Step into Josh Burrell's Forge

10 things you didn't know about the Boat Race

10 Quick Tips on How to Hustle

Knight Fight: a brief history of armour

Discover FIFA's Annual Report 2023

88 years of World Cup history

​Relive historic World Cup moments with FIFA.com's new Classic World Cup homepage

Packed with Final highlights, iconic images, exclusive interviews and more

Immerse yourself in all previous 20 global finals ahead of Russia 2018

From the Maracanazo to the Miracle of Berne, from the wonders of Pele to the marvels of Maradona, the FIFA World Cup™ has produced so many historic moments – and you can relive them all on FIFA.com !

Our newly-launched Classic World Cup homepage transports users back in time, allowing you to revisit every previous tournament through Final highlights, iconic images and exclusive interviews from World Cup legends.

Whether you want to watch the highlights of the first ever World Cup final in 1930 or take a detailed, interactive look at the prized Trophy, FIFA.com has you covered.

Is there a World Cup edition that resonates with you? Whether you’re mad about Mexico 1986 or want to know more about Sweden 1958, you can also visit our dedicated tournament pages.

Packed with intriguing video features, stunning photos and exclusive interviews, you can relive all previous 20 global finals to whet the appetite ahead of Russia 2018.

Fabio Cannavaro, Horst Eckel, Just Fontaine, Geoff Hurst, Mario Kempes, Diego Maradona, Lothar Matthaus, Gerd Muller, Pele, Carles Puyol, Romario, Ronaldo, Paolo Rossi – and many more – are among the legends sharing their World Cup memories with us.

We also had the immense privilege to chat with Alcides Ghiggia, the man who silenced the Maracana in 1950, and Francisco Varallo, who played in the first World Cup Final, shorty before they passed away aged 88 and 100 respectively.

Not only that, you can also experience iconic matches in full. Whether you want to see Paolo Rossi’s Italy take on Zico’s Brazil in 1982 or Cameroon shocking then-champions Argentina in 1990, you can take in the full 90 minutes. Or if you wanted to see Argentina-England from 1986 – the game which included Maradona’s controversial 'Hand of God' and a winning goal that was voted goal of the century by users of FIFA.com – why not watch it below?

To visit our tournament landing pages, head to the links below:

Uruguay 1930 – Italy 1934 – France 1938 – Brazil 1950 – Switzerland 1954 – Sweden 1958 – Chile 1962 – England 1966 – Mexico 1970 – Germany 1974 – Argentina 1978 – Spain 1982 – Mexico 1986 – Italy 1990 – USA 1994 – France 1998 – Korea/Japan 2002 – Germany 2006 – South Africa 2010 – Brazil 2014

FIFA World Cup: History and Future

Introduction, the nature of the competition as a spectacle, significance to the participating soccer teams and their fans.

Generally, spectacle refers to a memorable event due to the appearance it creates. Also, the word spectacle has been used in the seventeenth-century art in theater in English drama. On the other hand, the FIFA World cup is a soccer competition that is contested internationally by national soccer teams composed exclusively of male players. The competition is also referred to as Football World Cup or simply the World Cup. The countries of the national teams must be members of the worldwide soccer governing association known as Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The first FIFA World Cup tournament took place in nineteen thirty whereafter; the contest has been conducted after an interval of four years. However, during World War Two, the competition did not take place. Recently, FIFA has been organizing women’s competitions which are officially known as FIFA Women World Cup. As with the men’s contests, the women’s competitions are also held after four years and take the format of the men’s competition.

The FIFA World Cup is a memorable event for all the stakeholders. Starting with the participating players, they have a lifetime experience where first-time players get a chance to play with veteran footballers. Also, the veteran and experienced players interact with their counterparts during the matches. Furthermore, these interactions are limited to the playing ground but rather also happen informally on a more personal basis. To the fans, the competition is an entertainment medium (Kim, 56). It creates all the excitement to both the people watching it live as well as those viewing it on electronic media. The event accommodates all types of people, including the young and the old.

The event is of grand nature. For instance, the preparation for the event is characterized by the improvement of the host nation(s) infrastructure, particularly in cities where the event takes place (Horne, 21). The tournaments venue is usually at full capacity, especially during the matches that approach the finals. Some people willing to watch the event are sometimes not able to secure a space due to a large number of people. The World Cup is internationally broadcast electronic as well as covered by print media. Through television and the internet, the event reaches almost all corners of the world; every country in all the continents of the world has a chance to watch the World Cup. However, some countries that are at war or where their governments restrict the broadcasting may fail to get the World Cup experience.

The FIFA World Cup is of commercial interest to many stakeholders. The organizers sell the rights to film and broadcast to a bidding international media organization that in turn gives local media houses the right to broadcast. This broadcasting of the event alone promotes many business establishments both directly and indirectly (Torgler, 290). In some countries, some matches are not broadcast on the national channels but rather on the subscription channels. Therefore, to watch the match, the viewer pays a fee depending on the match being played. Also, many businesses in the host nation(s) thrive during this period due to the presence of a large number of potential buyers. Moreover, the tourism sector in the host nation(s) experiences an upward turn in revenue (Torgler, 288). The event is also characterized by gambling and betting where individuals, as well as organizations, are involved. Individuals bet on the winning teams for money as well as other valuable things. Business establishments, including the media houses, promote their businesses by offering the audience a chance to win gifts and/or holidays by predicting the outcome of the World Cup tournaments.

The event is also characterized by the presence of dignitaries. Diplomats, including the head of state, are sometimes present, especially when the teams from their country are playing. Therefore, the World Cup is of importance to the governments of participating teams (Horne. 18).

The FIFA World Cup competition enhances the status of the participating teams. On top of the financial benefits that the teams gain, the teams’ position in the “FIFA World Rankings” is improved; this system is useful in decision-making within the soccer field (Horne, 56). Moreover, the participating teams gain more professional experience, which is a vital factor, especially to players who play in commercial settings. The World Cup allows football club managers to scout for good players. Therefore, the competition gives players a chance to improve their careers.

The World Cup competition also has some negative effects. A team or a player might lose a good reputation out of failure to meet the expectations of the stakeholders. Moreover, teams that lost during the initial phases of the competition end up incurring a lot of expenses.

To the fans, the World Cup is a form of entertainment and leisure. The fans celebrate their favorite team’s participation and success. Moreover, the competition gives an opportunity to soccer fanatics to bet. Furthermore, the event supports a number of economic activities.

• FIFA Rankings.
• Horne, John D. Forecast and Actual Impacts of the 2002 Football World Cup Finals on the Host Countries Japan/Korea. 2004. University of Edinburgh, UK
• Kim, N., Chalip, L. Why travel to the FIFA World Cup? Effects of motives, background, interest, and constraints. 2004. Pergamon Press.
• Torgler, Benno. The Economics of the FIFA Football Worldcup, 2004. Vol. 57, Issue II, 287-300.

Cite this paper

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2021, August 31). FIFA World Cup: History and Future. https://studycorgi.com/fifa-world-cup-history-and-future/

"FIFA World Cup: History and Future." StudyCorgi , 31 Aug. 2021, studycorgi.com/fifa-world-cup-history-and-future/.

StudyCorgi . (2021) 'FIFA World Cup: History and Future'. 31 August.

1. StudyCorgi . "FIFA World Cup: History and Future." August 31, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/fifa-world-cup-history-and-future/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "FIFA World Cup: History and Future." August 31, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/fifa-world-cup-history-and-future/.

StudyCorgi . 2021. "FIFA World Cup: History and Future." August 31, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/fifa-world-cup-history-and-future/.

This paper, “FIFA World Cup: History and Future”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: December 9, 2023 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

• How It Works
• Our Discounts
• Free essays

FIFA World Cup

• Speech analysis

Introduction

May 29, 1928, the next FIFA Congress made a historic decision – the majority of its members voted for the establishment of the World Cup. In a year, the next FIFA Congress elected Uruguay as a country, where the first Cup would be held. Since that time, the national soccer teams of all countries that are members of FIFA have been allowed to participate in the World Cup. Both male and female teams can take part in the tournament. The final game of the championship takes place once every four years. At the same time, the total duration of the tournament along with the qualifying matches is three years. FIFA World Cup is the most important and exciting event in the world of soccer. The paper will discuss the history of the World Cup as well as the rules of the tournament.

History of Soccer

Soccer is one of the most popular team sports around the world. “It is the national sport of almost every country on earth except the United States, Australia and South Asia” (Orejan 5). History of this sport extends back a lot of centuries. “In reality, there was no first game of football, for its origins go back to the beginning of the recorded history” (Murray and Murray 2). Games that vaguely resembled soccer were known among different peoples in ancient times. Mention of them can be found in the written sources of ancient China and Japan. Images of soccer stories were found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs. Similar games were not only the means of entertainment or physical training of soldiers. Historians note the pagan foundation of ancient soccer, where the ball symbolized the sun. Due to the Roman conquerors, the ball game was known on the British Isles. The game quickly received popularity among the indigenous inhabitants. Around the fifth century, this game disappeared with the Roman Empire. However, the memory of it remained in the Europeans. Even Leonardo da Vinci played soccer with Florentine boys. When in the 17th century, supporters of King Charles I ran to Italy, they became acquainted with the game there. In 1660, after the accession to the throne, Charles II brought it to England, where soccer became the game of courtiers. It was in England that soccer became very popular.

Modern soccer began its journey in the XII century in medieval England. Then, people played soccer in market places and even in narrow streets. They played it from morning till evening. The number of players then exceeded 100, and almost no restrictions existed. People could play using hands and feet. Over time, the game began to get civilized. Some teachers expressed the thought of its exceptional physical benefits for the development of young people. At the beginning of 19th century, soccer was cultivated in privileged schools in England. It changed not only the attitude to the game, but the game itself. “Outside of Great Britain in the late 19 th century, soccer as an organized game began to be developed in countries around the world, taken to places as diverse as Argentina and Austria” (Dunmore 6).

History of the FIFA World Cup

May 21, 1904 went down in history as the day of the creation of FIFA. At that time, six countries: Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, France and Switzerland were the participants of the Football Federation. Already in one of the first meetings, the delegate of Holland introduced a draft on the organization of the World Cup. However, he did not have much support in view of the modest financial possibilities of the new federation. The first international soccer competitions started in the early 20th century, namely in 1908, when the amateur soccer became part of the Olympic program. A year later, Thomas Lipton organized a soccer tournament. Its name was “The very first soccer World Cup”. Teams of Switzerland, Italy and Germany became the first participants of the tournament. English players were at the origin of soccer. However, this team refused to take part in the tournament. Realizing that without the British team, this championship could not be considered serious, Sir Lipton invited the team from the north-east of England to take part in the Cup. Despite the fact that most members of the English team were workers of coal mines and only a few of them were professional soccer players from the continent, Englishmen won the tournament (Dubois 30). At that time, the Olympic soccer was the only official competition, in which players from different countries could take part. However, seeing the profound difference in class between the professional and amateur players, the FIFA team decided to organize the World Cup. “The FIFA Congress in Amsterdam decided that the World Cup was to be disputed every four years starting in 1930” (Almeida 1).

“Four European nations applied to host the tournament, but the honor fell to Uruguay” (Colley 3). Two wins of the national team at the Olympic Games and the firm promise of the representative of Uruguay to meet all the financial terms of FIFA were talking in favor of this choice. Parisian jeweler Abel Lafleur was awarded the honor to create the first trophy – the FIFA Cup. The Gold Cup portrayed Greek goddess of victory Nike. The theft of the “Golden Goddess” caused a real sensation around the world. This incident took place in London. The Gold Cup was on public display in one of the halls of the Palace of Westminster, where the international philatelic exhibition was held. A week later, a plain mongrel dog called Pickles found the Cup. The dog spotted a bundle lying under a laurel bush in the garden of his owner David Corbett. In 1983, the Cup was stolen again from the building of the Brazilian Soccer Federation in Rio de Janeiro by two armed robbers. Its destiny remains unknown. Since that time, in the world championships, another Cup is played – the FIFA World Cup. It is made of gold by Italian jewelers. The cup is passed on from one team to another. The winners receive its accurate but most likely gilded copy.

The first football World Cup began July 13, 1930. Therefore, the history of the FIFA World Cup begins in 1930. The Uruguayan national team – the hosts of the tournament – became the champions of the first World Cup. “Every four years the world of soccer comes together for one of the greatest sporting events” (Kraba 17). During the almost 80-year-long history of the tournament, only 7 countries participants became the winners of the World Cup. It was Brazil that most often won the title “the world’s best soccer team”. This country has five victories on its account. Four times the Cup went to Italy and three times to Germany. Uruguay and Argentina became champions twice. Soccer teams of France and England won the tournament once each. As for the players, Pele became the world champion in soccer three times. About 20 players won the World Cup twice. Most of them are from Brazil.

Qualifying Competitions

Before the tournament, teams have qualifying competitions. They are held in order to reduce the number of participants and select the strongest teams for the final tournament. The only championship, before which, qualifying competitions were not conducted, was the very first championship in 1930. Qualifying competitions are held on a zonal basis, in accordance with the FIFA regions: Africa, Asia, South America, Oceania, Europe and North America. Regional federations (in Europe, for example, UEFA) are engaged in organization of qualifying competitions in accordance with the general principles of FIFA.

Before the next tournament, FIFA determines the number of places in the final tournament received by each region. The main criterion is the “strength” of soccer in the region. However, the fact that additional places in the World Cup final stimulate the development of soccer in the region is also taken into account. Since 1938, the country which organizes the tournament automatically gets a place in the final. Moreover, until 2002, the winner of the previous World Championship also received a place in the finals without preliminary selection. However, when the regulations of 2006 World Cup were determined, this rule was abolished. The 2002 World Champion Brazil participated in the qualifying tournament on standard terms. Nowadays, the qualifying tournament starts nearly three years before the final and lasts longer than two years. The format of the qualifying events is very different in different regions. It also varies from tournament to tournament. Typically, in addition to competitions within the region, there are several additional intercontinental play-offs, the winners of which go to the final (Andreff and Szymanski 198).

Final Tournament

Since 1998, a formula used to conduct the world championships ensures the presence of 32 participants in the final tournament. The final tournament takes place in a pre-selected country during a month. “Soccer for a single month can unite people of different languages and cultures” (Lisi 2). The final tournament consists of two stages: group tournament and elimination games of the cup system. At the stage of the group tournament, teams are divided into 8 groups of 4 teams. The composition of the groups is determined by draw, during which, 8 teams become first numbers in the group and the remaining 24 teams are divided into three “baskets” in accordance with their geography and rating. In the end, from each basket in each group, one team goes. However, there are additional rules that complicate the procedure of drawing. For example, in one group, there cannot be more than one team from any region or more than two European teams.

In each group, the team conducts three rounds of the tournament. To eliminate the possibility of collusion, matches of the last round are held on the same day and at one time. For the victory in the match, the team gets 3 points and for a draw, it gets one point. Two teams from each group, who took the first and second places, pass in the second round. There are 16 participants of the championship. In the second round, teams play elimination matches. Losers end their participation in the tournament. If the score after 90 minutes of a game is drawn, the extra time and if necessary, a series of penalties is given. In the 1/8 final a winner of each group of the first round plays with another team from the other group. Then, the winners go to 1/4 finals, semi-finals and finals (Richards 115).

The winners of the finals become world champions. They receive gold medals and the World Cup in temporary storage – until the next World Cup. The finalist team that loses is awarded small golden (or gilded) medals. Teams which lost in the semi-finals play for the third place in the match between themselves. The third team gets silver medals and the fourth – bronze. This system of awarding appeared in 1966 and exists today.

Get a Price Quote

First Order Discount 15% For New Client

Nowadays, soccer enjoys international recognition around the world. It is difficult to imagine life of any country without football matches. FIFA World Cup is the most profitable sporting event besides the Olympics. FIFA World Cup is the greatest contemporary sporting event. It collects millions of viewers all over the world.

History Free Samples

Cyrus The Great King Of Persia

The Coming of the Third Reich: Fascism

Woodrow Wilson

Essay on Fifa World Cup

Students are often asked to write an essay on Fifa World Cup in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Fifa World Cup

The fifa world cup.

The FIFA World Cup is a global football competition. It’s organized by FIFA, the International Federation of Association Football. The tournament takes place every four years.

The first World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay. Since then, it has grown in popularity and prestige.

Competition Format

The tournament involves 32 teams from around the world. They compete in a month-long series of matches to win the title.

Significance

The World Cup unites people worldwide. It showcases the best of football, promoting sportsmanship and unity.

Also check:

• Paragraph on Fifa World Cup

250 Words Essay on Fifa World Cup

Origins and evolution of the fifa world cup.

The FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial football tournament, was first proposed by FIFA president Jules Rimet in 1928. The inaugural event took place in Uruguay in 1930, with 13 teams participating. Over the years, the tournament has grown exponentially, with the number of participating teams increasing to 32 in 1998.

Significance of the World Cup

The World Cup’s significance extends beyond the realm of sports. It serves as a platform for nations to unite and showcase their cultural, social, and political identities. The tournament’s global reach also provides an opportunity for countries to enhance their international reputation and stimulate economic growth.

Controversies and Challenges

Despite its popularity, the World Cup has not been devoid of controversies. Issues such as corruption within FIFA, concerns over the treatment of workers in host countries, and the environmental impact of such a large-scale event have sparked debates. These challenges highlight the need for FIFA to prioritize ethical practices and sustainability in its operations.

The Future of the World Cup

Looking ahead, the World Cup is set to evolve further. The 2026 tournament will see an expansion to 48 teams, reflecting the growing global interest in football. Furthermore, FIFA is exploring ways to enhance the tournament’s inclusivity and sustainability, thus ensuring that the World Cup continues to inspire and unite people worldwide.

In conclusion, the FIFA World Cup is much more than a football tournament. It’s a global event that brings nations together, promotes cultural exchange, and creates significant socio-economic impacts. However, it’s essential for FIFA to address the challenges and controversies associated with the tournament to ensure its long-term success and positive influence.

500 Words Essay on Fifa World Cup

Introduction.

The FIFA World Cup, an international football tournament, is arguably the most prestigious sporting event in the world. Organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the World Cup has been held every four years since its inaugural tournament in 1930, excluding 1942 and 1946 due to World War II.

Historical Overview

The first World Cup was hosted by Uruguay in 1930, with the host nation emerging as champions. The tournament was initially dominated by South American teams, with Uruguay and Brazil achieving early success. However, the post-war era saw a shift in power, with European nations such as England, Germany, and Italy establishing themselves as major forces. The tournament has grown in scope and scale over the decades, expanding from an initial 13 teams to the current 32, with a further expansion to 48 teams planned for 2026.

Significance and Impact

The World Cup is more than just a football tournament. It has socio-economic implications and can influence national identities. Hosting the World Cup can boost a country’s economy by attracting tourism, creating jobs, and prompting infrastructural development. However, it can also highlight social issues, as seen with Brazil in 2014, where public discontent over government spending on the tournament led to widespread protests.

On a cultural level, the World Cup can foster a sense of national unity. The tournament’s global reach allows countries to showcase their culture on the world stage, and success in the tournament can evoke strong feelings of national pride.

Controversies

Despite its popularity, the World Cup has not been without controversy. Allegations of corruption within FIFA have often overshadowed the tournament. The decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar raised questions about FIFA’s bidding process, worker’s rights, and the feasibility of hosting a summer tournament in extreme heat.

Notable Moments

The World Cup has provided many memorable moments. Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal in 1986, Brazil’s dominance in the early 2000s, and Germany’s 7-1 demolition of Brazil in 2014 are just a few examples. These moments have contributed to the World Cup’s status as a global spectacle.

The FIFA World Cup, with its blend of sport, culture, and politics, is a unique event. Despite its controversies, the tournament’s ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds around a shared love of football is unparalleled. As the World Cup continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly remain a significant fixture in the global sporting calendar.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Fibre
• Essay on My Favourite Player
• Essay on Favourite Player

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Soccer — The Genesis and Evolution of Soccer: A Historical Perspective

The Genesis and Evolution of Soccer: a Historical Perspective

• Categories: Soccer

About this sample

Words: 727 |

Published: Mar 8, 2024

Words: 727 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

The inception of soccer, the evolution of soccer, the birth of modern soccer, the globalization of soccer, the universal appeal of soccer, soccer's living legacy.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 919 words

9 pages / 4245 words

5 pages / 2455 words

3 pages / 1325 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Soccer

The FIFA Women's World Cup is a global soccer tournament that showcases the talents of female athletes from around the world. It has a significant impact on the sports world, promoting gender equality and providing a platform [...]

Soccer, also known as football in many parts of the world, is a sport that has captured the hearts of millions of people globally. As a passionate soccer fan, I can confidently say that there are numerous reasons why I love this [...]

Soccer, known as the world's most popular sport, holds a special place in the hearts of millions across the globe. From the bustling streets of Brazil to the pristine pitches of Europe, the beautiful game transcends borders, [...]

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, famously known as Pele, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Throughout his illustrious career, Pele achieved numerous accomplishments that have solidified his legacy in [...]

Who do you think should earn one of the highest wages in the country? Most likely you will think of somebody essential to our country as a whole: the Prime Minister; or somebody who saves lives every day, a fireman maybe, or a [...]

Soccer or football in most of none North American countries call it is a world-famous sport that requires the use of feet to maneuver a ball across a rectangular grass field and score in the opposing teams net. However, the [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

A Brief History of the World Cup

Since 1930, the planet's most popular sport — soccer — has played host to a magnificent month of action every four years. In anticipation of the 19th World Cup, here are some of the tournament's famous moments By Glen Levy

• A Team-by-Team Guide to the 2010 World Cup
• StumbleUpon
• Del.i.cious