FIFA World Cup

Home : Football : FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is also called the Football World Cup, or the Soccer World Cup, but is usually referred to as the World Cup. The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is the global governing body.

FIFA World Cup Odds - Click Here

The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930 except in 1942 and 1946 because of World War II.

Only seven nations have won the championship in the 18 tournaments that have been held. Brazil is the most successful team in World Cup competition with five titles. Italy, which won the 2006 championship, follows with four crowns while Germany has three. Uruguay, the winner of the first World Cup, and Argentina have two titles each and England and France each have one.

Teams representing 198 national football associations from six continents participated in the 2006 qualification that began in December 2003. Thirty-two teams qualified for the World Cup finals that were held in June and July in Germany.

The qualifying teams compete in two stages: a group stage followed by a knockout stage. There are eight groups of four teams each and they play a round-robin tournament. The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout round which is single elimination.

Italy claimed its fourth title by defeating France, 5-3, in a penalty shootout after extra time finished in a 1-1 draw. Germany captured third place with a 3-1 win over Portugal.

Other recent World Cup champions include Brazil, 2002 and 1994; France, 1998; and West Germany, 1990.

The finals are called the most widely viewed sporting event in the world. An estimated 1.1 billion people watched the 2002 tournament finals.

» Latest FIFA World Cup Odds: FIFA World Cup Odds

Live Football Odds Online Football Betting Odds - Available 24/7