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.
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.