The History Behind the FIFA World Cup
Watch this video to learn more about the history of the FIFA World Cup.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Even tug-of-war once held its own as a respected Olympic sport.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Scoring figure skating takes a certain je ne sais quoi.Media Editor: Miranda Chabot
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.To execute a jump serve, the server stands at the back of the serving area. As the server moves toward the service line, the ball is tossed in front of and above the server. As the server leaps, the forearm rises to shoulder height, and the striking hand is drawn back. At the peak of the jump, the striking arm swings quickly forward with the open hand making contact with the ball out in front of the body.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn more about which countries have won the most men's World Cup titles since 1930.
-
© American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Explore the chemistry of the football (soccer ball) used in the 2014 World Cup.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.You can't bend it like Beckham without a little help from physics.Media Editor: Lee Goldstein
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Anke Van Wyk/Dreamstime.comOverview of FIFA's Football for Hope program in South Africa.
News •
German skier Emma Aicher wins her first World Cup slalom race
• Nov. 14, 2026, 10:56 AM ET (AP)
The coach who energized U.S. soccer at the World Cup is on the verge of leaving for a job in England
• Nov. 12, 2026, 5:32 PM ET (AP)
FIFA releases evaluation reports for the 2031 and 2035 Women's World Cup
• Nov. 11, 2026, 6:30 PM ET (AP)
FIFA politics around Infantino re-election bid compels Japanese official to quit
• Oct. 28, 2026, 8:57 PM ET (AP)
Brazil's Olympic skiing champion Pinheiro Braathen wins season-opening giant slalom
• Oct. 25, 2026, 10:29 AM ET (AP)
Transcript
The World Cup is a football tournament hosted every four years by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, also known as FIFA.
The tournament began in 1930. It has been held every four years since, except during and just after World War II.
Players compete on national teams. The teams represent countries all over the world. At first the tournament was just for men’s teams. Since 1991, however, FIFA has also hosted a Women’s World Cup.
PRES. BARACK OBAMA: Give it up for the champion U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. They’ve inspired millions of girls to dream bigger, and, by the way, inspired millions of boys to look at girls differently, which is just as important.
The Women’s World Cup is also held once every four years, though not in the same year as the men’s tournament. The World Cup serves as a competition between the best football players in the world, and top players have a chance to become national heroes if they win it all for their country. Today the FIFA World Cup is likely the most popular sporting event in the world, with every tournament drawing billions of eager television viewers.
PRES. BARACK OBAMA: Give it up for the champion U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. They’ve inspired millions of girls to dream bigger, and, by the way, inspired millions of boys to look at girls differently, which is just as important.
The Women’s World Cup is also held once every four years, though not in the same year as the men’s tournament. The World Cup serves as a competition between the best football players in the world, and top players have a chance to become national heroes if they win it all for their country. Today the FIFA World Cup is likely the most popular sporting event in the world, with every tournament drawing billions of eager television viewers.
Last Modification: