The FIFA World Cup in football is one of the biggest and most prestigious sporting events in the world. It's held every four years and billions of people follow the games through television, in addition to the thousand who watch them live in the stadiums.
The World Cup has a big influence on society in general. Studies have shown that people living in countries that do well in the World Cup are more optimistic when it comes to the economy and their personal future. Another example is that the online gambling market explodes when the best football teams in the world test their skills against each other during a few summer weeks. People who never would play black jack or gamble in any other way suddenly starts betting each and every day.
The first ever FIFA World Cup of football was played in Uruguay in 1930. The home nation won the tournament after a 4-2 victory in the final against Argentina. A bit surprisingly, USA took the third spot.
Four years later Italian hosted, and once again the home nation came out on top. The Italians defeated Czechoslovakia after extra time (2-1) and Angelo Schiavo was the big hero with the winning goal.
Italy became world champions again in France 1938. Hungary put up a good fight in the final, but lost 4-2. Brazil showed for the first time that they would be a force to be reckoned with by finishing in third place.
Because of World War 2 no world cups were held in 1942 and 1946. In 1950, Brazil was expected to win on home soil, but instead they suffered a surprising and painful defeat against Uruguay who claimed their second title.
Germany took their first WC title in Switzerland in 1954. Hungary had beaten the Germans easily earlier in the tournament, and was big favorites to win, but lost 3-2 in the final match.
Pelé, 17, made his entrance on the big scene in Sweden in 1958 and Brazil won their first title. The Brazilians defeated the home nation 5-2 in the final and Pelé scored two goals.
Brazil won again in Chile in 1962. Czechoslovakia was defeated (3-1) in the final.
In 1966 England became world champions after an epic 4-3 victory over Germany in the final. It is still debated whether Geoff Hurst's winning actually was over the line or not.
Brazil made an amazing comeback in Mexico 1970, playing amazing football and storming through the tournament. Italy did what they could in the final, but lost 4-1. Pelé scored the opening player and became the first player to win three world cups.
Germany hosted the 1974 World Cup and also won the tournament. One of the best goal-getters of all time, Gerd Müller, scored the deciding goal (2-1) in the final against the Netherlands.
The Netherlands would lose another final against the host nation in 1978. This time Argentina got the better of the Dutch and won the final with 3-1 after extra time.
In 1982 in Spain, Italy won their third world cup title. Paolo Rossi was the top scorer in the tournament and made the opening goal in the final against West Germany. Italy won 3-1.
Maradona dominated the 1986 world cup in Mexico. His performance in the quarter final match against England will never be forgotten. He also set up Burruchaga for the winning goal (3-2) in the final against West Germany.
The Germans got their revenge in Italy in 1990. Once again they faced Argentina in the final, but this time they won - 1-0 in a rather boring game.
Brazil took their first title in 24 years in USA in 1994. Once again, the final was a disappointment with Brazil defeating Italy in a penalty shootout after a goal-less draw.
1998 was the year of Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman scored two goals - both headers! - when Brazil was defeated (3-0) in front of an ecstatic home crowd at Stade de France in Paris.
Japan and South Korea hosted the 2002 world cup together. Amazingly enough, Brazil and Germany met for the first time ever in final in Yokohama, Japan. Brazil won 2-0 after two goals from Ronaldo and took their fifth title.
In 2006 it was time for Italy again, but the final against France went all the way to a penalty shootout. The game will also always be remembered for Zidane´s disgraceful behaviour when he head-butted Marco Materazzi and was sent off.
The next FIFA World Cup will be played in South Africa in 2010.