Ball IQWorld Cup 2026 Quiz Questions and Answers
Big set of World Cup quiz questions with answers — graded easy to hard, every answer explained.
60 hand-picked football questions · every answer explained
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About this quiz
The summer of the 2026 World Cup — the first 48-team edition, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19 — is the perfect excuse to find out how much World Cup history you actually know. This is a big, hand-picked set of World Cup quiz questions and answers pulled from the Ball IQ question bank: nearly a century of tournaments, from Uruguay lifting the first trophy in 1930 to Argentina's shoot-out win over France in Qatar in 2022.
The set is graded from easy to hard. The warm-ups ask things any fan should get — who won in 2010, which country has lifted the trophy five times. The middle band digs into the famous moments: Maradona's 1986, the headbutt final of 2006, Germany 7-1 Brazil. And the hard end is for the obsessives — controversial penalties in extra time, golden goals, and the scorers everyone forgets. Whether you're building a pub-quiz round, testing your mates during the group stage, or just settling an argument, there's a difficulty band for it.
Every question comes with the answer and a short explanation of the story behind it, so you learn something even on the ones you miss — that's the Ball IQ way. Play the interactive sample below free in your browser, no sign-up needed. And when you want more than one round, the full Ball IQ game is free: thousands of fact-checked questions, a World Cup category, a daily challenge and Footle, our Wordle-style daily footballer game.
55 football trivia questions & answers
Tap “Show answer” to reveal the answer and the story behind it.
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Which country won the 2010 World Cup?
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Brazil
Show answer
Answer: Spain
Spain beat Netherlands 1-0 in Johannesburg with Iniesta's extra-time winner.
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Which country won the 2022 World Cup?
- France
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Croatia
Show answer
Answer: Argentina
The final went to penalties in Qatar after a 3-3 draw; Mbappé scored a hat-trick in defeat.
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Which country hosted the very first African World Cup in 2010?
- Egypt
- Morocco
- South Africa
- Nigeria
Show answer
Answer: South Africa
Held south of the equator — the first WC south of it since Argentina '78.
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As of the 2022 World Cup, who was the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals?
- Pelé
- Ronaldo R9
- Miroslav Klose
- Just Fontaine
Show answer
Answer: Miroslav Klose
Klose overtook Brazil's Ronaldo (15) mid-tournament in 2014. His 16 goals stood as the record entering the 2026 finals.
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Which was the first World Cup to be jointly hosted by two nations?
- 1998 France
- 2002 Japan/Korea
- 2010 South Africa
- 2006 Germany
Show answer
Answer: 2002 Japan/Korea
Brazil lifted the trophy here — Ronaldo R9's redemption after 1998.
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Which manager led Germany to the 2014 World Cup?
- Rudi Voller
- Ottmar Hitzfeld
- Hansi Flick
- Joachim Low
Show answer
Answer: Joachim Low
Low had been Germany manager since 2006 before finally lifting the trophy in Brazil.
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Who managed England at the 2018 World Cup where they reached the semi-finals?
- Sam Allardyce
- Roy Hodgson
- Sven-Goran Eriksson
- Gareth Southgate
Show answer
Answer: Gareth Southgate
Southgate transformed England's culture and got them to back-to-back European Championship finals too.
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Which manager led Brazil at the 2014 World Cup semi-final where they lost 7-1?
- Luiz Felipe Scolari
- Dunga
- Tite
- Carlos Alberto Parreira
Show answer
Answer: Luiz Felipe Scolari
The 7-1 loss in Belo Horizonte became known as the Mineirazo — a national trauma in Brazil.
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Which manager was in charge of Italy when they won the 2006 World Cup?
- Fabio Capello
- Marcello Lippi
- Roberto Mancini
- Cesare Prandelli
Show answer
Answer: Marcello Lippi
Marcello Lippi managed Italy to the 2006 World Cup title and later worked in China.
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Argentina won the 2022 World Cup — how many times had they won the World Cup in total, counting that title?
- 2
- 5
- 4
- 3
Show answer
Answer: 3
Their first two came in 1978 and 1986, with the Messi-led win over France in Qatar adding the latest.
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South Korea captain Son Heung-min spent a decade at which Premier League club before moving to MLS in 2025?
- Arsenal
- Chelsea
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Man City
Show answer
Answer: Tottenham Hotspur
Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and left for LAFC in summer 2025 in an MLS-record deal.
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Which England manager took them to the Euro 2020 final and the 2018 World Cup semi-final?
- Hodgson
- Allardyce
- McClaren
- Southgate
Show answer
Answer: Southgate
Gareth Southgate's England reached the SF in Russia 2018 (lost to Croatia), the Euro 2020 final (lost on penalties to Italy) and the QF in Qatar 2022.
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Which Croatian midfielder won the 2018 Ballon d'Or after captaining Croatia to the World Cup final?
- Ivan Rakitić
- Mateo Kovačić
- Luka Modrić
- Marcelo Brozović
Show answer
Answer: Luka Modrić
Modrić broke the Messi/Ronaldo duopoly that year. Croatia lost the final 4-2 to France.
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Which Serie A club does USMNT captain Christian Pulisic play for?
- Inter Milan
- Juventus
- Roma
- AC Milan
Show answer
Answer: AC Milan
Pulisic joined AC Milan from Chelsea in summer 2023 and is contracted through June 2027.
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Which Australian goalkeeper captained the Socceroos at the 2022 World Cup, leading them to the knockouts?
- Maty Ryan
- Mark Schwarzer
- Mark Bosnich
- Andrew Redmayne
Show answer
Answer: Maty Ryan
Maty Ryan captained Australia at Qatar 2022 — they beat Tunisia 1-0 and Denmark 1-0 to reach the R16 (lost 2-1 to Argentina).
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Which Colombian playmaker won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup with 6 goals?
- James Rodríguez
- Carlos Bacca
- Juan Cuadrado
- Radamel Falcao
Show answer
Answer: James Rodríguez
James's stunning chest-and-volley goal vs Uruguay also won the Puskás Award that year.
-
Which country has hosted the World Cup the most times?
- Brazil
- Germany
- Italy
- Mexico
Show answer
Answer: Mexico
Returns in 2026 as a co-host with two prior solo hostings on its résumé.
-
Which Asian country has reached the furthest in any men's World Cup?
- Japan
- China
- Saudi Arabia
- South Korea
Show answer
Answer: South Korea
South Korea reached the semi-finals as co-hosts in 2002, the best run by an Asian nation.
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Which Italian defender captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup title, lifting the trophy in Berlin and winning that year's Ballon d'Or?
- Maldini
- Buffon
- Nesta
- Cannavaro
Show answer
Answer: Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro played every minute of the tournament without scoring or being booked. He moved to Real Madrid that summer.
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What were the only two World Cup tournaments cancelled — due to World War II?
- 1938 & 1942
- 1943 & 1947
- 1940 & 1944
- 1942 & 1946
Show answer
Answer: 1942 & 1946
The four-year cycle was preserved — the gap runs from 1938 to 1950.
-
Iceland became the smallest nation by population to reach a World Cup — which year?
- 2014
- 2018
- 2022
- 2016
Show answer
Answer: 2018
Two years after their famous Euro 2016 quarter-final run.
-
Which World Cup saw the first-ever VAR technology used?
- 2014 Brazil
- 2018 Russia
- 2022 Qatar
- 2010 South Africa
Show answer
Answer: 2018 Russia
IFAB officially approved the technology only months before kickoff.
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Who scored the fastest goal in World Cup history — after just 11 seconds?
- Hakan Sukur
- Clint Dempsey
- Bryan Robson
- Michael Owen
Show answer
Answer: Hakan Sukur
Hakan Sukur scored after 11 seconds for Turkey against South Korea in the 2002 third-place play-off.
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Which player scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina?
- Lionel Messi
- Antoine Griezmann
- Olivier Giroud
- Kylian Mbappe
Show answer
Answer: Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe's hat-trick made him only the second player after Geoff Hurst to score three in a World Cup final.
-
Who is the youngest player to score in a World Cup final?
- Pele
- Kylian Mbappe
- Cesc Fabregas
- Michael Owen
Show answer
Answer: Pele
Pele was 17 years and 249 days old when he scored twice in the 1958 World Cup final.
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Which country beat Brazil 3-0 in the third-place play-off at the 2014 World Cup on home soil?
- Colombia
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Argentina
Show answer
Answer: Netherlands
Van Persie, Blind and Wijnaldum scored as the Netherlands consigned a battered Brazil to a second straight defeat after the 7-1 SF loss to Germany. The Dutch had themselves lost the SF to Argentina on penalties.
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Which country reached the World Cup final for the first time in 2018, beating hosts Russia on penalties in the quarter-finals before losing 4-2 to France?
- Colombia
- Japan
- Croatia
- Russia
Show answer
Answer: Croatia
Croatia won three consecutive penalty shootouts (Denmark, Russia) and a 2-1 extra-time SF win over England to reach Moscow. Sweden lost 2-0 to England in their QF.
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Which defender headed in a Toni Kroos free kick to seal Germany's 1-0 win over France in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final?
- Hummels
- Boateng
- Höwedes
- Khedira
Show answer
Answer: Hummels
Hummels (then Dortmund) glanced in Kroos's 13th-minute inswinger off Varane to put Germany into the semi-finals.
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In the 2002 World Cup last 16, which controversial match saw referee Byron Moreno send off Francesco Totti and disallow a golden goal?
- South Korea vs Spain
- South Korea vs Italy
- Both semi-finals
- South Korea vs Germany
Show answer
Answer: South Korea vs Italy
South Korea beat Italy 2-1 in golden-goal extra time amid huge refereeing controversy.
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Which Uruguay striker was banned for four months after biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup — one of three biting incidents in his career?
- Edinson Cavani
- Luis Suárez
- Diego Forlán
- Christian Stuani
Show answer
Answer: Luis Suárez
The ban meant he also missed the start of his career at Barcelona following his move from Liverpool that summer — and he had previously been disciplined for bites while at Ajax and Liverpool.
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Which country has appeared in the most World Cup finals in total across football history — with 8 final appearances?
- Italy
- Germany
- Brazil
- Argentina
Show answer
Answer: Germany
Germany (including West Germany) reached 8 WC finals: 1954, 1966, 1974, 1982, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2014. Brazil has 7.
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What is Portugal's best ever finish at a World Cup?
- Runners-up
- Quarter-final
- Semi-final loss
- Third place
Show answer
Answer: Third place
Portugal finished third at the 1966 World Cup in England, beating the USSR 2-1 in the third-place play-off.
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Who scored in four different World Cups between 2002 and 2014 — the all-time World Cup top scorer with 16 goals?
- Rivaldo
- Ronaldo
- Klose
- Klinsmann
Show answer
Answer: Klose
The Poland-born striker surpassed Ronaldo's record of 15 in Germany's 7-1 semi-final demolition of Brazil.
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Which Uruguay striker won the Golden Ball as best player of the 2010 World Cup — scoring five goals including the Goal of the Tournament volley against Germany?
- Luis Suárez
- Diego Forlán
- Edinson Cavani
- Sebastián Abreu
Show answer
Answer: Diego Forlán
The Atlético Madrid forward polled 23.4% of the media vote ahead of Wesley Sneijder and David Villa, guiding his country to a fourth-place finish — their best since 1970.
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Which goalkeeper won the World Cup Golden Ball in 2002 — the only goalkeeper ever to do so?
- Oliver Kahn
- Iker Casillas
- Gianluigi Buffon
- Peter Schmeichel
Show answer
Answer: Oliver Kahn
Kahn won the award despite his error in the final letting Ronaldo score for Brazil.
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Croatia gained independence in 1991 and joined international football in 1992. What was their best result at their first World Cup?
- Group stage exit
- Round of 16
- Quarter-final
- Third place
Show answer
Answer: Third place
Croatia finished third at France 1998 with Davor Šuker winning the Golden Boot (6 goals).
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Which Italian club does Mexico striker Santiago Giménez play for?
- AC Milan
- Inter Milan
- Napoli
- Juventus
Show answer
Answer: AC Milan
Giménez joined AC Milan in early 2025 from Feyenoord for around €37m.
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How many goals did Canada score at their first ever World Cup, in Mexico 1986?
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
Show answer
Answer: 0
Canada lost all three group games without scoring a goal.
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Which Australian forward scored the only goal as Australia beat Denmark 1-0 to reach the 2022 World Cup Round of 16?
- Mathew Leckie
- Mitchell Duke
- Jamie Maclaren
- Awer Mabil
Show answer
Answer: Mathew Leckie
Mathew Leckie scored the 60th-minute winner — Australia's first WC knockout match since 2006.
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Lionel Messi joined which MLS club in 2023?
- LA Galaxy
- Inter Miami CF
- Atlanta United
- NYCFC
Show answer
Answer: Inter Miami CF
Inter Miami — co-owned by David Beckham. Messi joined in July 2023 on a contract worth a reported $50-60m/year.
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Who managed Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final?
- Bilic
- Dalić
- Čačić
- Kovač
Show answer
Answer: Dalić
Zlatko Dalić took over in late 2017 and guided Croatia through three extra-time knockout games to reach the final — their best-ever World Cup finish.
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In what year did Pelé make his World Cup debut and become the youngest WC scorer?
- 1954
- 1958
- 1962
- 1950
Show answer
Answer: 1958
Pelé was 17 at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, where Brazil won their first title. He scored a hat-trick in the semi-final.
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Which country did Italy shockingly lose 3-2 to in their final 2010 World Cup group game — sending the defending champions out bottom of Group F?
- Paraguay
- Slovakia
- New Zealand
- South Korea
Show answer
Answer: Slovakia
Slovakia were playing in their first ever World Cup. Italy had drawn 1-1 with Paraguay and New Zealand before this defeat.
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Which two teams played in the first ever World Cup final in 1930?
- Brazil and Argentina
- Uruguay and Argentina
- Uruguay and USA
- Brazil and Uruguay
Show answer
Answer: Uruguay and Argentina
Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the final in Montevideo, with Argentina leading 2-1 at half time.
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Which country was eliminated on fair play points — without losing — at the 2018 World Cup?
- Japan
- Switzerland
- Colombia
- Senegal
Show answer
Answer: Japan
Japan and Senegal were level on all statistics — Japan went through on fewer yellow cards.
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Which South American country beat hosts Brazil 2-1 in the decisive match known as the 'Maracanazo' in 1950?
- Argentina
- Colombia
- Chile
- Uruguay
Show answer
Answer: Uruguay
The game wasn't technically a final — the 1950 WC used a final round-robin group, and Uruguay's win made them champions.
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Which young German goalkeeper kept three clean sheets at the 2010 World Cup — including the 4-0 rout of Argentina — before losing to Spain 1-0 in the semi-final?
- Manuel Neuer
- Robert Enke
- René Adler
- Tim Wiese
Show answer
Answer: Manuel Neuer
The 24-year-old Schalke keeper had only been handed the No.1 shirt after the tragic death of Robert Enke the previous November. He later won the Golden Glove at the 2014 World Cup.
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Who scored the only goal — a 33rd-minute penalty — for France as they beat Portugal in the 2006 World Cup semi-final in Munich?
- Zidane
- Ribéry
- Vieira
- Malouda
Show answer
Answer: Zidane
France met Italy in the FINAL (1-1, Italy won on pens). Italy's SF win came over hosts Germany 2-0 in extra time.
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Marcelo Lippi won the World Cup as Italy manager in 2006 — how old was he?
- 54
- 56
- 57
- 58
Show answer
Answer: 58
The Juventus and Italy boss was born in 1948.
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Which Spain goalkeeper saved Oscar Cardozo's penalty in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final against Paraguay — a pivotal moment on their way to the title?
- Casillas
- Akinfeev
- De Gea
- Forster
Show answer
Answer: Casillas
Spain's captain kept a clean sheet across all four knockout games as they won the 2010 title.
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Which South American country reached a World Cup semi-final (third place in 1962) but has never played in a final?
- Uruguay
- Colombia
- Paraguay
- Chile
Show answer
Answer: Chile
Hosts Chile finished third in 1962, their best ever, but have never reached a final.
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Mexico's two World Cup quarter-final runs both came as hosts (1970, 1986). How many consecutive round-of-16 appearances did they string together from 1994 to 2018?
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 6
Show answer
Answer: 7
Mexico reached R16 in seven consecutive World Cups: 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 — before exiting at the group stage in 2022.
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Marcello Lippi won the 2006 World Cup — what did he do immediately after Italy's victory?
- Stepped down from the Italy job
- Returned to Juventus
- Managed China
- Took charge of AC Milan
Show answer
Answer: Stepped down from the Italy job
He didn't linger — within days his FIGC contract lapsed; he only returned for a second spell that flopped at the 2010 World Cup.
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Italy's 2006 World Cup winning squad had how many of its 23 players based in Serie A?
- 19
- 21
- 22
- 23
Show answer
Answer: 23
Every single player in Lippi's 23-man squad was at a Serie A club at the time — a fully domestic-based World Cup winner, the last of its kind in the modern era.
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In Australia's 2006 World Cup Round of 16 defeat to Italy, who scored the controversial 95th-minute winning penalty?
- Andrea Pirlo
- Francesco Totti
- Luca Toni
- Alessandro Del Piero
Show answer
Answer: Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti scored after Fabio Grosso fell over Lucas Neill in the box — Italy went on to win the tournament.