A brief history of the World Cup
The World Cup is a long-running tournament in which the men’s national soccer teams from member countries of the International Association of Football Associations (FIFA) participate.
The idea of the World Cup was born in the early 1900s, when soccer was a demonstration sport at the Olympics, and medals were not awarded to players. The International Association of Football Associations, founded in 1904, sought to organize a separate tournament for soccer independent of the Olympics – and this initiative both changed the future of the soccer and launched the story of the World Cup. After the FIFA Congress held in Amsterdam in 1928, it was decided to organize an independent soccer tournament.
The first World Cup championship was hosted by Uruguay in 1930, with thirteen teams participating. From 1942 to 1946, the World Cup was suspended due to the Second World War. It relaunched in 1950, hosted by Brazil; around 174,000 tickets were sold for the final match. According to unofficial figures, the match is watched by 200,000 people and goes down in history.
Various changes to the rules and the number of participating teams have been made in subsequent World Cup tournaments. For example, the maximum number of teams participating in the tournament was first determined as 24 and then expanded to 32. In October 2016, FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be held with 48 teams.
World Cup statistics and records
Like every tournament, the FIFA World Cup has its ‘bests of.’ The history of the World Cup is one of success, defeat, and endless competition. Here’s a brief list of some FIFA World Cup highlights and notable statistics:
All-time highs and records
- Most World Cup wins: Brazil (5 times)
- Most appearances in the World Cup: Brazil (19 times)
- Second, third and fourth most appearances: Germany (8, 12, 13 times)
- Most finals played: Germany (8 times)
- Most semi-finals played: Germany
- Most tied in matches: Italy (21 times)
- Most consecutive championships: Italy (2 times) and Brazil (2 times)
- Second, third and fourth most consecutive championships: Germany
- Most consecutive in finals: Brazil (19)
- Longest time among championships: Italy
- Most finals without being champion: Mexico (14 times)
- Most matches played: Germany (106 times)
- Fewest matches played: Indonesia (1)
- Most goals scored: Brazil (210)
- Most goals conceded: Germany (117)
- Fewest goals scored: Canada (0)
- Fewest goals conceded: Angola (2)
- Teams with the most appearances in the final match: Brazil and Italy, Argentina, and Germany
- First World Cup winner: Uruguay (1930)
- Defending World Cup winner: France (2018)
- Best host finishes: Uruguay (1930), Italy (1934), England (1966), West Germany (1974), Argentina (1978), France (1998).
- Worst host finishes: South Africa (2010)
Personal records
- Most World Cup wins: Pele (3 times)
- World Cup top scorer: Miroslav Klose (16)
- Most appearances in World Cup history: Lothar Matthaus (25)
- The manager with the most won matches in World Cup history: Helmut Schön
- Most World Cup-winning manager: Vittorio Pozzo (2)
Memorable events in the history of the World Cup
Pickles the Hero
In 1966, the trophy was nabbed before the start of the World Cup in England. The theft, which shocked the entire world, was solved by a dog called Pickles, who came across the Cup during his daily walk. Pickles the Hero!
Pele’s goal at the age of 17
Another momentous World Cup event was the final match of the 1958 tournament between Brazil and Sweden. Brazilian player Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also known as Pele – who was just 17 years old at the time – scored two of the winning goals. Pele is recorded as the youngest player in the history of the World Cup to score in the final match.
The phrases “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century”
The leading player of the 1986 FIFA World Cup is obvious: Maradona. Argentine soccer player Maradona scored his famous goal in the match against England. Although the goal caused great controversy, it was considered valid despite all objections. The phrase that will go down in both sports and World Cup history came at the end of the match from Maradona himself, who said “the Hand of God” over allegations that the goal was scored by hand.
Just four minutes after this legendary goal, Maradona scored another historical goal. Inscribed in World Cup history as the “Goal of the Century”, Maradona put the ball into the net in an aesthetic way after driving exactly 60 meters.
Rene Higuita’s famous save
In 1994, Colombian goalkeeper Rene Higuita made history with an unforgettable save that seemingly defied gravity. Higuita ultimately became one of the most famous goalkeepers in soccer history with his scorpion kick save.
Tardelli’s scream
We would not be exaggerating if we say that the FIFA World Cup is a true ‘field of contest’ for teams and players. With everyone involved striving with all their strength to reveal their potential and demonstrate maximum performance, both joy and despair make dramatic appearances. For instance, during the German-Italian match in 1982, Tardelli, who scored the goal that put Italy ahead, burst into tears of happiness while running on the field. This event goes down in World Cup history as “Tardelli’s scream”.
The Sheikh’s intervention in the match
During the France-Kuwait match at the 1982 World Cup, a whistle was heard, and France was scoring at the time. After France’s goal, Sheikh Fahad, a member of the Kuwaiti Royal Family, wanted it cancelled. While the goal was indeed cancelled, the French players scored again and left the match victorious.
Record for showing cards from the referee in Nuremberg
Dubbed the “Battle of Nuremberg (Massacre of Nuremberg)” by the soccer crowd, this event took place during the 2006 World Cup. In the highly contested Netherlands-Portugal match played in Nuremberg, Germany, referee Valentin Ivanov showed four red cards and 16 yellow cards to make World Cup history.
The “Mexican wave” as an expression of enthusiasm
The enthusiasm of fans and players at the World Cup matches is out of this world and the Mexican Wave is one of the greatest manifestations of this enthusiasm. Demonstrated by fans during the World Cup in Mexico in 1986, the Mexican Wave not only became a part of sports history but continues to be deployed by different fan groups.
The unforgettable sound of the stands: Vuvuzela
More recently, at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, match attendees heard an unfamiliar sound during the game – the vuvuzela! This horn-like instrument is very, very loud, and beloved by South African fans, though some of the participating teams found the noise distracting. Nonetheless, the fame of the vuvuzela has gone global.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
As we mentioned earlier, the 22nd FIFA World Cup tournament is in Qatar this year. The matches in the highly anticipated tournament will be played across five cities in eight different stadiums.
As the first World Cup hosted in Qatar, the tournament has other notable features. The 22nd FIFA World Cup is the first tournament held in an Arab and Muslim nation and the second to take place in Asia. In addition, the tournament is the last World Cup in which 32 teams will participate.
World Cup match schedule
You can follow the matches of the 22nd FIFA World Cup and the statistics of the tournament via this calendar.
All you want to know about the World Cup Qatar 2022
You can get the latest news on the tournament, especially the FIFA World Cup group matches, at the FIFA website!
And now, let’s explore the host country for the 2022 World Cup. Keep reading for more information on Qatar, including practical information about the country and some of its highlights!
Places to visit in Qatar
The Qatari cities most popular with tourists are Doha, the capital, along with Dukhan and Al Wakra. These cities feature a blend of ancient and modern traditions and offer visitors a number of cultural points as well as entertainment and accommodation centers.
Doha
We begin our tour in Qatar with the capital, Doha – so here’s the link for Doha flight tickets. The city stands out with its famous skyscrapers – especially at night, when the skyline is reflected in the bay. Growing and developing day by day, Doha is an attractive destination, especially for travelers seeking a luxury holiday.
Souq Waqif
In Souq Waqif, the old market area of the city, visitors can enjoy all the details of the daily life of the locals. Do sample the aromatic Arabic coffee called gahwa while in the bazaar and buy a packet or two from one of the many wholesalers. Souq Waqif is also known for its henna designers: Talented women of varying ages draw patterns on the skin, usually traditional motifs, using henna. The ‘tattoos’ are not permanent and fade away in a few days, especially with washing. The adobe buildings in this centuries-old trading center are also of interest. Whatever your budget, we do suggest a visit to the incredible Gold Bazaar as well as to the Falcon Bazaar.
The Pearl, Kordon, Museum of Islamic Arts
The Pearl, a collection of artificial islands in Doha, stands out among the places to visit in Qatar. Pearl hunting was an important source of livelihood in the region and the Pearl, with its oyster and pearl-shaped architecture, salutes the city’s past in this respect. Visitors can also spend time in the parks and along the coastline in Doha’s Kordon district. Also in the area is the Museum of Islamic Arts, one of the city’s most important cultural points. The huge skyscrapers in the West Bay area, the Katara Cultural Village and the Imam Mohammed bin Abdulwahab Mosque are also among Doha’s highlights.
Dukhan, Al Waqra
Dukhan, 80 kilometers from the capital, is a bustling city featuring large – and exclusive – shopping centers, as well as golden beaches.
In El Wakra, also a large city, the El Waqra Museum is an important highlight as is the Manaratain Mosque.
Dining in Qatar
A brief sampling of Qatar’s most renowned dishes – bon appetit!
- A globally known vegetarian dish, one that we would describe as spiced chickpea patties, falafel.
- An indispensable appetizer in Türkiye, the name of which means “chickpeas” in Arabic, is hummus.
- Kebab, one of the most common dishes in the region.
- A dish of Palestinian origin maftool, in which camel, chicken and goat meat are combined with rice and brightened with potatoes, chickpeas and carrots.
Does Qatar require a visa?
Holders of passports of the Republic of Türkiye are exempt from visa requirements when entering Qatar. Qatar is one of the countries that provide visa facilitation to its visitors in the region. In general, citizens of more than 80 countries may enter Qatar without a visa.
However, a number of procedures will be in effect throughout the duration of the FIFA World Cup, the details of which are below.
All visitors entering the country as of November 1, 2022, will need to obtain a Hayya Card, and present the original card or a digital Hayya Card obtained through the mobile app upon entry. To apply for a Hayya Card, you must be a FIFA 2022 World Cup ticket holder or be identified into the system by another Hayya Card holder. Each Hayya Card holder can define three different people to the system. Visitors without a Hayya Card will not be permitted to enter the country.
As of December 2, anyone who wishes to enter Qatar must apply for a Hayya Card, although the requirement to be a ticket holder will no longer be in effect. You can visit the link for more information and to obtain the Hayya Card.
Getting around Qatar
In addition to public transportation, taxis are among the most preferred options for transportation in Qatar. Many points in Doha are also accessible via the Mowasalat-operated buses and metro lines. Karwa Smart Cards, available at Hamad International Airport, are used for public transportation. Schedules and information on Doha public transportation are here.
Car rentals are a convenient option for visitors who prefer private transportation. You can visit our page to learn more about renting a car with Turkish Airlines Mile advantages and to complete your reservation.
Practical information about Qatar
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Qatari rial (QAR)
Socket type: D, G
Important Phones
Area Code: +974
Hamad International Airport: (+974) 4010 6666
Emergency Assistance: 999
Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Doha: +974 4495 1300
