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Published: September 15, 2006
The FIFA World Cup
Once every four years a competition comes along igniting a passionate fire in the hearts of many soccer-loving nations. Once every four years a chance for soccer's best to showcase their amazing talent and skill presents itself. Once every four years a fight for pride and global glory is witnessed in some of the greatest soccer ever seen.
The FIFA World Cup not only symbolizes an international soccer tournament and its eventual victor, but also the ambition of players to sacrifice their bodies, heart and soul for the love of the game.
To meet the growing professionalism of the amateur Olympic soccer tournament, Jules Rimet—then-president of FIFA—placed the concept of a World Cup competition into motion, bringing together the world's best soccer players to contend for the title of world champion. The motion was passed and Uruguay was set to host the first World Cup in 1930.
Two years before the tournament was set to begin, a new trophy designed specifically for the World Cup was commissioned. The cup was 35 centimeters in length and was made of gold-plated sterling silver, complete with a blue base made of a semi-precious stone called lapis lazuli. On each of the four sides was a gold plate engraved with the names of the nine teams who won between 1930 and 1970.
During this 40-year span, the traveling trophy encountered numerous hazards. First, the Italian Vice-President of FIFA had to hide the golden cup under his bed throughout World War II to prevent its capture by occupying troops. The World Cup had to be canceled in 1942 and 1946 (a 12 year gap from tournament play) while the war was underway. Second, in 1966, the trophy disappeared only to be found buried under a tree, speculated to be by Pickles the dog. Finally, it was stolen from Rio de Janeiro in 1983 and melted down by thieves. The Brazilian Football Association—earning the right to keep the trophy after three wins—was outraged by the theft and ordered a replica cup to be made.
Since Brazil permanently possessed the Jules Rimet Cup after the victory in Mexico City in 1970, FIFA contracted a new design by Silvio Gazzaniga for the tenth World Cup in 1974. The cup remains in FIFA's possession while World Cup winners hold on to it until the next tournament. At the following tournament, the previous winners are presented with a gold-plated replica rather than the solid gold original. The World Cup trophy is 36 centimeters in height and is made of solid 18 carat gold. The bottom lists the winning team and year since 1974.
In all, a total of 207 national teams have competed to qualify for the World Cup, of which 78 have qualified at least once. Of the 78, a mere 11 have advanced to the finals. A total of seven countries have won: Uruguay, Italy, West Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina and France. For these seven countries, a star is added to the shirt's crest for each World Cup Championship victory. Brazil, for instance, has the most victories with five (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002). Italy has four (1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006). West Germany has three (1954, 1974 and 1990). Argentina (1978 and 1986) and Uruguay (1930 and 1950) are tied with two. Lastly, England and France are tied with one a piece (1966 and 1998 respectively). The 2010 World Cup will take place in South Africa where a majority of the 2006 World Cup superstars will compete once again for eternal glory.
Through upsets and triumphs, scandals and heartbreak, the FIFA World Cup has continued to capture the imaginations and attentions of the worldwide populace. It has brought nations torn by internal political, social or economic strife together to root root root for their motherland.
The pride a nation has for its soccer team cannot be matched to any degree. The global popularity of soccer is rising, much due to the creation of the World Cup competition by Jules Rimet, and the decline in this quick-footed sport is far from present-day life.
Once every four years a competition comes along igniting a passionate fire in the hearts of many soccer-loving nations. Once every four years a chance for soccer's best to showcase their amazing talent and skill presents itself. Once every four years a fight for pride and global glory is witnessed in some of the greatest soccer ever seen.
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To meet the growing professionalism of the amateur Olympic soccer tournament, Jules Rimet—then-president of FIFA—placed the concept of a World Cup competition into motion, bringing together the world's best soccer players to contend for the title of world champion. The motion was passed and Uruguay was set to host the first World Cup in 1930.
Two years before the tournament was set to begin, a new trophy designed specifically for the World Cup was commissioned. The cup was 35 centimeters in length and was made of gold-plated sterling silver, complete with a blue base made of a semi-precious stone called lapis lazuli. On each of the four sides was a gold plate engraved with the names of the nine teams who won between 1930 and 1970.
During this 40-year span, the traveling trophy encountered numerous hazards. First, the Italian Vice-President of FIFA had to hide the golden cup under his bed throughout World War II to prevent its capture by occupying troops. The World Cup had to be canceled in 1942 and 1946 (a 12 year gap from tournament play) while the war was underway. Second, in 1966, the trophy disappeared only to be found buried under a tree, speculated to be by Pickles the dog. Finally, it was stolen from Rio de Janeiro in 1983 and melted down by thieves. The Brazilian Football Association—earning the right to keep the trophy after three wins—was outraged by the theft and ordered a replica cup to be made.
Since Brazil permanently possessed the Jules Rimet Cup after the victory in Mexico City in 1970, FIFA contracted a new design by Silvio Gazzaniga for the tenth World Cup in 1974. The cup remains in FIFA's possession while World Cup winners hold on to it until the next tournament. At the following tournament, the previous winners are presented with a gold-plated replica rather than the solid gold original. The World Cup trophy is 36 centimeters in height and is made of solid 18 carat gold. The bottom lists the winning team and year since 1974.
In all, a total of 207 national teams have competed to qualify for the World Cup, of which 78 have qualified at least once. Of the 78, a mere 11 have advanced to the finals. A total of seven countries have won: Uruguay, Italy, West Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina and France. For these seven countries, a star is added to the shirt's crest for each World Cup Championship victory. Brazil, for instance, has the most victories with five (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002). Italy has four (1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006). West Germany has three (1954, 1974 and 1990). Argentina (1978 and 1986) and Uruguay (1930 and 1950) are tied with two. Lastly, England and France are tied with one a piece (1966 and 1998 respectively). The 2010 World Cup will take place in South Africa where a majority of the 2006 World Cup superstars will compete once again for eternal glory.
Through upsets and triumphs, scandals and heartbreak, the FIFA World Cup has continued to capture the imaginations and attentions of the worldwide populace. It has brought nations torn by internal political, social or economic strife together to root root root for their motherland.
The pride a nation has for its soccer team cannot be matched to any degree. The global popularity of soccer is rising, much due to the creation of the World Cup competition by Jules Rimet, and the decline in this quick-footed sport is far from present-day life.
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