When did FIFA choose Spain as the host nation for the 1982 FIFA World Cup?
FIFA chose Spain as the host nation on the 6th of July 1966 in London. This decision occurred while the country remained under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.
Questions about 1982 FIFA World Cup
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How many teams participated in the 1982 FIFA World Cup and what was the new format?
The 1982 FIFA World Cup expanded the field from 16 teams to 24 teams for the first time. The tournament introduced two rounds of group stages instead of the traditional single round-robin system.
Who won the Golden Boot award at the 1982 FIFA World Cup and how many goals did they score?
Paolo Rossi won the Golden Boot award with six goals scored across seven matches. His hat-trick against Brazil helped Italy advance to the semi-finals.
Which stadiums hosted matches during the 1982 FIFA World Cup and which venue had the largest capacity?
Seventeen stadiums across fourteen cities hosted matches during the tournament. Barcelona's Camp Nou served as the most used venue with five matches including a semi-final and held a capacity of 121,401.
Why is the match between West Germany and Austria known as the Disgrace of Gijón?
West Germany and Austria played what later became known as the Disgrace of Gijón after scoring once both teams kicked the ball aimlessly for the remainder of the match. Spanish crowds chanted Fuera fuera while Algerian supporters waved banknotes at the players.