The World Cup is in less than 10 days away, here are a few fun facts to help you when you have a football quiz night.
- On only one occasion did the world cup stop
The World Cup has been held every four years since its inaugural tournament in Uruguay in 1930, with the exception of 1942 and 1946, when it was not held due to World War II. There have been 21 World Cups in total.
- Brazil is the moment
Brazil is in the lead with 5 World Cups, Italy and Germany follow in second position with 4 each.
- The tale of Asamoah
With 11 goals in six games, Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan is the African man with the most goals in the World Cup.
- Goals goals goals
171 goals were scored in the 1998 and 2014 World Cups, the most ever scored in a World Cup. The 1930 and 1934 World Cups had the fewest goals scored, with a total of 70 goals scored.
- Egypt said ‘I’ll be there for you’
Egypt became the first African country to play in the World Cup in 1934. The next time was 1970 when Morocco represented Mexico.
- A brother’s war
The first brothers to compete against each other in the World cup were, Ghana’s Kevin-Prince Boateng and Jerome Boateng, at South Africa 2010.
- Germany can’t stop
Germany has played the most World Cup matches (106) and appeared in the most finals (8), and scored the most World Cup goals 224.
- This year’s African faces
Samuel Eto’o, Jacques Songo’o and Rigobert Song, from Cameroon, are the only Africans to go to four World Cups.
9. Asia had a moment
The first World Cup ever hosted in Asia was when South Korea and Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup. It was also the first time two countries host the competition together.
- Africa’s Roger Milla wasn’t afraid of the Russians
Roger Milla, the first African player to gain fame on the international stage, is the oldest goalscorer at a World Cup event. He scored against Russia in the 1994 World Cup.
Bonus: Qatar is bougie
Qatar will host the World Cup in fully air-conditioned 8 stadiums for the first time ever.
