The FIFA World Cup – the only sporting event that can rival the Olympic Games for consideration as the biggest on the planet – brings together national teams from across the globe in a battle for football's ultimate glory.
This prestigious quadrennial tournament dates to the inaugural 1930 event, during which 13 teams contested the trophy. Among these, Uruguay, Argentina, Yugoslavia, and the United States reached the semi-finals, held in Montevideo. It was the host nation – Uruguay – that came out on top, beating Argentina in the final. Since then, the World Cup’s format has changed substantially, and will do so again in 2026; for the first time, 48 teams will enter the tournament’s final phase after continental qualification.
To date, only 8 different teams have managed to lift the World Cup. The tournament’s most successful nation is Brazil, who have won the trophy 5 times and are the only team to have participated in every World Cup. The other tournament winners are Germany and Italy, with 4 titles each; Argentina on 3 titles; France and Uruguay, with 2 titles each; and England and Spain, with 1 title each.
The 2026 tournament will be held in 16 cities across the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico.
