The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious football tournament in the world, contested every four years by the senior men's national teams of FIFA's member associations. Here's a complete history of the tournament, from the inaugural 1930 edition to the 48-team 2026 tournament.

## Early Years (1930-1970)

**1930 (Uruguay)** — 13 teams participated in the inaugural World Cup. Hosts Uruguay won the final against Argentina 4-2.

**1934 (Italy)** — 16 teams participated for the first time. Hosts Italy won the final against Czechoslovakia 2-1 in extra time.

**1938 (France)** — 15 teams participated, with Italy defending the title. Italy won the final against Hungary 4-2.

**1950 (Brazil)** — The World Cup resumed after WWII. Uruguay won the final round-robin group against hosts Brazil in the famous 'Maracanazo.'

**1954 (Switzerland)** — West Germany won the final against Hungary 3-2 in the 'Miracle of Bern.'

**1958 (Sweden)** — Brazil won their first title, with a 17-year-old Pelé scoring twice in the final against hosts Sweden.

**1962 (Chile)** — Brazil defended the title, beating Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the final.

**1966 (England)** — Hosts England won their first (and only) title, beating West Germany 4-2 in extra time.

**1970 (Mexico)** — Brazil won their third title, beating Italy 4-1 in the final. The team is widely considered the greatest national team of all time.

## Modern Era (1974-1994)

**1974 (West Germany)** — West Germany won the final against the Netherlands 2-1, with Johan Cruyff's 'Total Football' falling short.

**1978 (Argentina)** — Hosts Argentina won the final against the Netherlands 3-1 in extra time.

**1982 (Spain)** — Italy won the final against West Germany 3-1, with Paolo Rossi scoring a hat-trick in the second group stage.

**1986 (Mexico)** — Argentina won the final against West Germany 3-2, with Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal against England in the quarter-final.

**1990 (Italy)** — West Germany won the final against Argentina 1-0, with a late penalty from Andreas Brehme.

**1994 (USA)** — Brazil won the final against Italy 0-0 (3-2 on penalties), ending a 24-year title drought.

## Globalization (1998-2022)

**1998 (France)** — Hosts France won the final against Brazil 3-0, with Zinedine Zidane scoring twice.

**2002 (South Korea / Japan)** — Brazil won their fifth title, beating Germany 2-0 in the final. The first World Cup hosted by two countries.

**2006 (Germany)** — Italy won the final against France 1-1 (5-3 on penalties), with Zidane's headbutt in extra time the defining image.

**2010 (South Africa)** — Spain won the final against the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time, with Andrés Iniesta's late goal.

**2014 (Brazil)** — Germany won the final against Argentina 1-0 in extra time, with Mario Götze's late goal. The tournament also produced Germany's 7-1 demolition of Brazil in the semi-final.

**2018 (Russia)** — France won the final against Croatia 4-2, with Kylian Mbappé becoming the first teenager since Pelé to score in a final.

**2022 (Qatar)** — Argentina won the final against France 3-3 (4-2 on penalties), with Messi's first World Cup title. The first World Cup held in the Arab world.

## New Era (2026)

**2026 (USA / Canada / Mexico)** — The first 48-team World Cup, with 104 matches across 16 cities. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.