Overview about soccer
Soccer, known as football in most of the world, is the most popular sport on the planet, characterized by its simplicity, immense global reach, and low-scoring, strategic nature. Played between two teams of 11 players on a rectangular pitch, the primary objective is to maneuver a round ball into the opposing team's goal using any part of the body except the hands and arms, with the exception of the goalkeeper. With over 250 million players and billions of fans worldwide, it is governed by FIFA and highlighted by the quadrennial World Cup, a tournament that stands as one of the most-watched sporting events globally. The game focuses on teamwork, endurance, and skill, with professional leagues thriving worldwide—particularly in Europe and South America—fostering intense community, national, and international pride.
The FIFA World Cup is the premier international soccer tournament, held every four years since 1930 (except 1942-1946) to crown the men's world champion. Argentina is the reigning champion, winning in 2022, while Brazil holds the record with five titles. The 2026 edition, hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, will feature an expanded 48-team format with 104 matches.
| World cup from 1982-2022 | |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Italy |
| 1986 | Argentina |
| 1990 | Germany |
| 1994 | Brazil |
| 1998 | France |
| 2002 | Brzil |
| 2006 | Italy |
| 2010 | Spain |
| 2014 | Germany |
| 2018 | France |
| 2022 | Argentina |