World Cup history: The biggest sports event on planet Earth
FLVRsports writer: Drew Farmer | @DrewMFarmer
The World Cup is off to a fast and furious start in Russia. The 21st edition of the tournament is the first to take place in Europe since the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Since then, the competition has been played in South Africa and Brazil with European nations (Spain and Germany) lifting the trophy both times.
According to CNN, 3.2 billion people watched the 2014 World Cup. This year’s event could take a slight hit due to the time of kickoffs and the United States not being in the tournament. While the USA isn’t a threat to win the event – if it was there – the national team’s games bring in large numbers of viewers. The viewing numbers at the 2014 World Cup were only topped by the final between Germany and Argentina in the USA.
The World Cup is the biggest sports event on planet Earth and its success continues to grow the game of soccer. History will once again be made this summer.
World Cup History
The First World Cup
The first World Cup took place in 1930. For nearly three decades, there had been soccer authorities attempting to establish an international tournament. In 1930, the tournament was finally held with Uruguay receiving the right to host it. Thirteen national teams were invited, but no team could beat the Uruguayans, who won the final against Argentina, 4-2.
1950 World Cup
The 1950 World Cup was the first tournament held after World War II. The tournament had last been played in 1934. Brazil was selected as the host nation as many European countries were still rebuilding after the conflict. Germany and Japan were barred from entering the competition. Uruguay won the World Cup for the second time as the team beat Brazil in the final round match, 2-1.
A teenage phenomenon
Sweden hosted the 1958 World Cup. The tournament saw the World Cup debut of 17-year-old Pele. The soon-to-be Brazilian legend scored six times at the event and led Brazil to its second World Cup trophy. Pele’s 55th minute goal in the final against Sweden proved to be the match winner. He was awarded the Best Young Player award, and the rest, as they say, is history.
West Germany becomes World Cup winners for the second time
West Germany had won the 1954 World Cup against all odds. Twenty years later, the nation held the tournament and a rebuilt West Germany was shown off to the world. The tournament took place less than two years after the Munich Massacre in which members of the Israeli Olympic team were kidnapped and murdered. All eyes were back on Munich for the final. The match saw West Germany come from a goal down to defeat the Netherlands, 2-1.
The Hand of God
Diego Maradona was considered the best player in the world in the 1980s. The 1960s had belonged to Pele, the 1970s were Johan Cruyff’s years to shine, and Maradona owned the decade of cocaine and Wall Street. The 1986 World Cup will always be remembered for Maradona’s “Hand of God” that allowed Argentina to score its first goal against England in the quarterfinals. Maradona added a second goal minutes later that was just as amazing. Argentina won the World Cup final, and Maradona is still remembered for his moment of divine intervention.
Soccer comes to America
The 1994 World Cup was held in the USA. The tournament was granted to the country on the basis the USA start a professional soccer league. Two years later, Major League Soccer started to little fanfare. The tournament was a huge success for FIFA, however. The attendances per match still stand today.
The Far East makes its mark
The 2002 edition of the World Cup was hosted by rival countries Japan and South Korea. It is alleged that Samsung helped sway the voting at FIFA to award the South Koreans the right to hold matches after Japan had already been granted the event. The tournament will go down as having numerous controversial referee decisions. It is alleged payments were made to referees by the electronics giant so South Korea could have favorable decisions go its way.
Africa joins the party
The World Cup debuted on the African continent in 2010. South Africa was the host for the event and the vuvuzela become a part of pop culture thanks to local fans. Spain won the tournament sealing its second major international trophy in two years.
Controversy
On December 2, 2010, Russia was granted the right to hold the World Cup 2018, while Qatar was simultaneously handed the 2022 event. FIFA’s decision to award both nations World Cups came under scrutiny and investigations have revealed money being accepted by the organization. The Qatar 2022 event is the most controversial as teams will play matches in temperatures of 100-plus degrees. FIFA has considered moving the tournament to the winter but has received resistance. In addition, the human rights record of Qatar is appalling and the nation has been linked to terrorism during the last 18-months.
