FIFA World Cup records and statistics
The first FIFA World Cup took place in 1930. Uruguay hosted the event and won the title. Eight nations have claimed victory since that inaugural year. Brazil stands alone as the only team to appear in all 22 tournaments held through 2022. Germany participated in 20 editions while Italy and Argentina each played in 18. Mexico appeared in 17 of them.
Germany has reached eight finals, winning four times. West Germany won three titles before reunification. The tournament expanded from 13 teams in 1930 to 32 teams by 1998. It grew further to 48 teams starting in 2026. Host nations vary widely across continents including South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.
Brazil holds the record for most total points with 114 matches played and 76 wins. They scored 237 goals throughout their history. Germany follows closely with 114 matches and 75 goals conceded. Argentina finished second in total appearances with 104 matches played.
Italy recorded 110 matches and 136 goals scored. France competed in 104 matches and scored 128 goals. England played 104 matches but conceded 108 goals. Spain appeared in 97 matches and scored 106 goals.
The system awards two points for a win until 1990. Since then, three points are given for victories. Matches decided by penalty shoot-outs count as draws. Extra time results count as wins or losses depending on the outcome.
Miroslav Klose leads all-time scoring with 16 goals across four tournaments from 2002 to 2014. Ronaldo scored 15 goals in 19 matches between 1998 and 2006. Gerd Müller netted 14 goals during his career spanning 1966 to 1974.
Just Fontaine holds the record for most goals in a single tournament with 13 in 1958. Oleg Salenko scored five goals in one match against Cameroon in 1994. Geoff Hurst and Kylian Mbappé each scored three goals in finals.
Lionel Messi has contributed 21 goal combinations including 13 goals and eight assists from 2006 to 2022. Pelé won three titles while playing for Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970. Cafu appeared in three consecutive finals from 1994 to 2002.
Norman Whiteside became the youngest player at age 17 years and 41 days in 1982. Essam El-Hadary played at age 45 years and 161 days in 2018. Roger Milla was the oldest goalscorer at 42 years old in 1994.
Helmut Schön coached Germany through 25 matches between 1966 and 1978. He won 16 of those games. Vittorio Pozzo led Italy to two titles in 1934 and 1938. Carlos Alberto Parreira managed six tournaments across five different nations from 1982 to 2010.
Bora Milutinović coached five different countries over four decades starting with Mexico in 1986. Juan José Tramutola was the youngest coach at 30 years old during Uruguay's 1930 victory. Otto Rehhagel reached 73 years old while managing Greece in 2010.
John Langenus refereed three World Cups for Belgium from 1930 to 1938. Ravshan Irmatov officiated 11 matches between 2010 and 2018. The youngest referee was Juan Gardeazábal at 24 years and 193 days in 1958. George Reader was the oldest at 53 years and 236 days in 1950.
The highest single match attendance occurred at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 1950 final. Over 173,850 spectators watched Uruguay defeat Brazil. The lowest recorded crowd was just 300 people at Estadio Pocitos in Montevideo on the 14th of July 1930.
The 1994 tournament hosted by the United States drew an average of 68,991 fans per game. Total aggregated attendance reached 3,587,538 that year. Germany's 1954 campaign saw 889,500 total attendees across six venues.
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City has hosted multiple high-attendance matches including finals in 1970 and 1986. Soccer City in Johannesburg held 84,490 for a match in 2010. Lusail Stadium in Qatar accommodated 88,966 for the 2022 final.
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Common questions
When did the first FIFA World Cup take place and who hosted it?
The first FIFA World Cup took place in 1930. Uruguay hosted the event and won the title.
Which team has appeared in all 22 FIFA World Cup tournaments held through 2022?
Brazil stands alone as the only team to appear in all 22 tournaments held through 2022. Germany participated in 20 editions while Italy and Argentina each played in 18.
Who holds the record for most goals scored across four FIFA World Cup tournaments from 2002 to 2014?
Miroslav Klose leads all-time scoring with 16 goals across four tournaments from 2002 to 2014. Ronaldo scored 15 goals in 19 matches between 1998 and 2006.
What was the highest single match attendance recorded at Maracanã Stadium during the 1950 final?
Over 173,850 spectators watched Uruguay defeat Brazil at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 1950 final. The lowest recorded crowd was just 300 people at Estadio Pocitos in Montevideo on the 14th of July 1930.
Which coach managed six tournaments across five different nations from 1982 to 2010?
Carlos Alberto Parreira managed six tournaments across five different nations from 1982 to 2010. Bora Milutinović coached five different countries over four decades starting with Mexico in 1986.