New Delhi, June 2: The FIFA World Cup for men began in 1930 and has been held 22 times since. The tournament was not conducted in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II. Brazil stands out as the most successful team in FIFA World Cup history, having qualified for all 22 editions.
Founded in 1904, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) organized its first football competition at the Olympics in 1920, recognized as an intercontinental event. A decade later, the inaugural FIFA World Cup took place.
The 1950 FIFA World Cup was unique as it did not follow a knockout format. The champion was determined through a final round-robin group of four teams, with Uruguay emerging as the winner. Similarly, the 1974 and 1978 World Cups also lacked semi-finals; teams qualified directly for the finals and third-place matches based on the results of the second group stage.
Brazil is the only nation to have participated in all 22 editions. The team has reached the semi-finals eight times and played in the finals six times, winning the championship five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.
Germany has played in the FIFA World Cup 20 times, reaching the semi-finals 12 times and the finals eight times. The team has claimed the title four times (1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014).
Italy has participated in the World Cup 18 times, reaching the semi-finals seven times and the finals six times, winning four trophies in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006.
Argentina has also played in the World Cup 18 times, reaching the semi-finals five times and the finals six times, securing three titles in 1978, 1986, and 2022.
France has participated in the World Cup 16 times, reaching the semi-finals seven times and the finals four times, winning the championship twice. Their first title came in 1998, followed by a second in 2018.
Uruguay has taken part in the World Cup 14 times, playing in four semi-finals and one final, winning the trophy in 1930 and 1950.
England has competed in the World Cup 16 times, reaching the semi-finals three times. They had their only final appearance in 1966, where they defeated West Germany 4-2.
Spain has also played in the World Cup 16 times, winning their first title in 2010 by defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final.
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