The history behind the FIFA World Cup

The history behind the FIFA World Cup
Watch this video to learn more about the history of the FIFA World Cup.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
- Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Watch this video to learn more about the history of the FIFA World Cup.
- Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Overview of the career of Brazilian football (soccer) player Pelé.
- Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn more about which countries have won the most men's World Cup titles since 1930.
- Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Patrick Allen/Dreamstime.comOverview of the vuvuzela, a horn that is popular with South African football (soccer) fans and was ever-present at the 2010 World Cup.
- © American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Explore the chemistry of the football (soccer ball) used in the 2014 World Cup.
- Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; thumbnail © kovop58/Shutterstock.comThe first Olympic Games consisted of a singular event: a footrace.
- Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Anke Van Wyk/Dreamstime.comOverview of FIFA's Football for Hope program in South Africa.
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Transcript
The World Cup is a football tournament hosted every four years by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, also known as FIFA.The tournament began in 1930. It has been held every four years since, except during and just after World War II. Players compete on national teams. The teams represent countries all over the world. At first the tournament was just for men’s teams. Since 1991, however, FIFA has also hosted a Women’s World Cup.
PRES. BARACK OBAMA: Give it up for the champion U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. They’ve inspired millions of girls to dream bigger, and, by the way, inspired millions of boys to look at girls differently, which is just as important.
The Women’s World Cup is also held once every four years, though not in the same year as the men’s tournament.The World Cup serves as a competition between the best football players in the world,and top players have a chance to become national heroes if they win it all for their country.Today the FIFA World Cup is likely the most popular sporting event in the world,with every tournament drawing billions of eager television viewers.
PRES. BARACK OBAMA: Give it up for the champion U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. They’ve inspired millions of girls to dream bigger, and, by the way, inspired millions of boys to look at girls differently, which is just as important.
The Women’s World Cup is also held once every four years, though not in the same year as the men’s tournament.The World Cup serves as a competition between the best football players in the world,and top players have a chance to become national heroes if they win it all for their country.Today the FIFA World Cup is likely the most popular sporting event in the world,with every tournament drawing billions of eager television viewers.
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