KICKOFF !!

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the biggest football party - the FIFA World Cup. This time the hosts are the world favorites in football - Brazil. They have been participating in the tournament since its establishment in 1930-  only team to hold the record (20 times). This year also 32 teams from around the world are competing for the prestigious trophy. 

 a little history...

during the early years of 20th century, football gained much popularity particularly in Europe. Due to this, Football got a spot in Summer Olympics in 1900 and 1904, but only as a show game as no awards or medals were given. FIFA ( Fédération Internationale de Football Association ) was founded in 1904. They were planning for an independent international tournament for football. In 1908 London Olympics, Football gained a spot as a competition item due to the involvements of The Football Association (FA- English football association), and Great Britain won the Gold medal. Infact, football gained so much popularity and structure of competition through Olympics as the game got a spot since then in every Olympics held. With the success of football in Olympics, FIFA decided to start the International Football tournaments and decided to make Uruguay as hosts ( they won 1924 and 1928 Olympic medals). First FIFA World cup goal was scored by France against Mexico and Uruguay lifted the Cup defeating Argentina 4-2.

REPLICA OF THE FIRST FIFA WORLD CUP TROPY.

COURTESY: WIKIPEDIA

FIFA has been successfully conducting the tournaments every 4 years since 1930 except 1942 and 1946 due to war. 

16 nations participated till 1978, except in 1938(15- Germany engulfed Austria) and 1950 (India, Scotland and Turkey withdrew). From 1982 to 1994, the number of participating countries were 24 and 32 from 1998. FIFA is now looking forward to expand the participation to 40.

HISTORY COURTESY: WIKIPEDIA.