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World Cup Quiz

Test your FIFA World Cup knowledge with free trivia and explained answers — from 1930 to Spain's 2026 triumph. Every answer comes with the story behind it.

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  1. easy

    Geoffroy-Guichard hosted a famous 1998 World Cup round-of-16 tie in which David Beckham was sent off. Who were the two teams?

    WhyMichael Owen's wonder goal lit up a 2-2 thriller; Argentina won on penalties after Beckham saw red for kicking Simeone.

  2. easy

    Who scored Brazil's third goal in the 1958 World Cup final — a stunning flick over a defender followed by a volley — aged just 17?

    WhyVavá scored Brazil's first two; the 17-year-old then made it 3-1 with the iconic flick-volley en route to a 5-2 win over hosts Sweden.

  3. medium

    Which nation did England famously lose to 1-0 in the 1950 World Cup group stage?

    WhyThe USA's shock win over England in Belo Horizonte is one of the biggest World Cup upsets ever.

  4. medium

    Which player scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final vs Argentina?

    WhyMario Götze scored a 113th-minute left-foot volley from Schürrle's cross to win Germany the 2014 World Cup.

  5. hard

    Liédson, who scored over 100 league goals for Sporting, represented which nation at the 2010 World Cup?

    WhyBrazilian-born Liédson took Portuguese citizenship and played for Portugal at the 2010 World Cup.

  6. medium

    Which player scored in 2 different World Cup finals (1958 and 1970) — both Brazil victories?

    WhyPelé scored in the 1958 final (Brazil 5-2 Sweden aged 17) and the 1970 final (Brazil 4-1 Italy). Injured before 1962 final.

  7. medium

    Who is the YOUNGEST player ever to appear at a World Cup — making his debut aged 17 years and 41 days for Northern Ireland in 1982?

    WhyNorman Whiteside (Northern Ireland) made his WC debut aged 17y41d at the 1982 WC vs Yugoslavia — record still stands. He beat Pelé's record (17y244d in 1958).

  8. hard

    Who is the only man to win the World Cup twice as a player and then win it again as his country's head coach?

    WhyMario Zagallo won it on the pitch in 1958 and 1962, from the dugout in 1970 — and added a fourth star as assistant coach in 1994.

  9. medium

    Which country advanced from the 2018 World Cup group stage on fair play points — the first time that tiebreaker was ever used?

    WhyJapan and Senegal were level on all statistics — Japan went through on fewer yellow cards.

  10. medium

    Which Bulgarian forward scored in the 1994 World Cup semi-final defeat to Italy and won the Ballon d'Or later that year — his six goals at USA '94 sharing the Golden Boot?

    WhyThe Barcelona star equalised from the penalty spot in the semi before Baggio's brace sent the Azzurri through — it was the peak of a golden generation that also beat defending champions Germany in the quarters.

  11. hard

    Canada won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000. Through 2025, how many further Gold Cup titles did they add?

    WhyCanada's 2000 title remained their only CONCACAF Gold Cup crown through 2025.

  12. medium

    Which German international scored 14 goals at World Cups (1970 & 1974) — a German record Klose later surpassed?

    WhyGerd Müller scored 14 WC goals in just 13 games (10 in 1970 + 4 in 1974). Held WC all-time record until Ronaldo (R9) passed him in 2006.

  13. medium

    Whose missed final penalty — skied over the bar — sealed Italy's 1994 World Cup final defeat to Brazil?

    WhyBaresi had also blazed over earlier in the shootout, but Baggio's miss on Italy's fifth kick handed Brazil the title 3-2 on penalties.

  14. hard

    The fastest World Cup hat-trick in history — 7 minutes by László Kiss as a substitute in Hungary's 10-1 win over El Salvador in 1982 — came in which minute for the first goal?

    WhyKiss came on in the 57th minute and scored in the 69th, 72nd and 76th — still the only substitute hat-trick in World Cup history.

  15. medium

    Real Betis great Rafael Gordillo, who later won five straight La Liga titles at Real Madrid, played at two World Cups for which country?

    WhyGordillo, a Betis and Real Madrid star, was a Spain regular in the 1980s and appeared at two World Cups.

  16. medium

    Iñaki Williams won a senior cap for Spain in 2016 but switched international allegiance in 2022 and played at that year's World Cup. Which nation did he switch to?

    WhyWilliams switched his international allegiance to Ghana and featured at the 2022 World Cup.

  17. hard

    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?

    WhyMexico reached R16 in seven consecutive World Cups: 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 — before exiting at the group stage in 2022.

  18. medium

    At the 2022 World Cup, the USMNT exited in the Round of 16 — to which team?

    WhyNetherlands beat USA 3-1 in Doha; Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, and Denzel Dumfries all scored.

  19. medium

    Which country has appeared in the most World Cup finals in total across football history — with 8 final appearances?

    WhyGermany (including West Germany) reached 8 WC finals: 1954, 1966, 1974, 1982, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2014. Brazil has 7.

  20. hard

    Silvio Piola scored twice in the 1938 World Cup final as Italy beat which nation 4-2?

    WhyItaly retained the trophy in Paris in 1938, with Piola bagging a brace against the Hungarians.

  21. medium

    Which Saint-Étienne defender was knocked unconscious by Harald Schumacher's challenge in France's 1982 World Cup semi-final?

    WhyBattiston, an ASSE player from 1980 to 1983, lost teeth and suffered vertebrae damage in Seville — yet no foul was given.

  22. medium

    Gianluigi Buffon was named in Italy's squad for a record how many World Cups between 1998 and 2014?

    WhyBuffon was in five World Cup squads (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014); he was an unused substitute in 1998 and was Italy's starting keeper at the other four.

  23. hard

    Which German keeper saved Stuart Pearce's penalty in the 1990 World Cup semi-final shootout — before Chris Waddle skied his kick over to send West Germany to the final?

    WhyThe 22-year-old Köln stopper guessed right to his left, diving low to push away Pearce's effort — a moment made all the more agonising when Waddle followed with his infamous miss.

  24. medium

    Pelé's total World Cup goal tally across all four tournaments he played in (1958, 62, 66, 70) was how many?

    WhyPelé scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches across 4 editions. Tally: 6 in 1958, 1 in 1962, 1 in 1966, 4 in 1970.

  25. medium

    In the 2002 World Cup last 16, which controversial match saw referee Byron Moreno send off Francesco Totti and disallow a golden goal?

    WhySouth Korea beat Italy 2-1 in golden-goal extra time amid huge refereeing controversy.

  26. hard

    As of the 2022 World Cup, the longest penalty shootout in men's World Cup history had how many kicks?

    WhyWest Germany beat France in a 12-kick shootout in the 1982 semi-final, a mark later equalled by Sweden v Romania in 1994.

  27. medium

    Which Asian country has reached the furthest in any men's World Cup?

    WhySouth Korea reached the semi-finals as co-hosts in 2002, the best run by an Asian nation.

  28. medium

    Which goalkeeper won the World Cup Golden Ball in 2002 — the only goalkeeper ever to do so?

    WhyKahn won the award despite his error in the final letting Ronaldo score for Brazil.

  29. hard

    In which country was Robert Prosinečki born, to Yugoslav guest-worker parents?

    WhyProsinečki was born in Schwenningen, West Germany.

  30. medium

    South Korea made their famous 2002 World Cup run — which country did they eliminate on penalties in the quarter-finals?

    WhySouth Korea beat Spain 5-3 on penalties after 0-0 (QF, 22 June 2002) — two Spain goals controversially disallowed. Earlier Korea beat Italy 2-1 in the R16 (Ahn golden goal).

  31. medium

    Ricardo Quaresma, scored a famous 'trivela' goal for Portugal at which World Cup?

    WhyQuaresma scored a trademark outside-of-the-boot goal against Iran at the 2018 World Cup.

  32. hard

    Which Argentine forward missed the 1990 World Cup final through suspension after picking up a yellow card for handball in the semi-final against Italy?

    WhyThe flowing-haired striker had already scored the winner against Brazil in the round of 16 and equalised against host Italy in the semi — his handball to stop a Giannini pass earned the booking that kept him out of the Rome final.

  33. medium

    Who won the Golden Ball as the best player of the 2018 World Cup, despite his team losing the final?

    WhyModrić took the Golden Ball after Croatia's run to the final, where they lost 4-2 to France; Hazard finished second and Griezmann third in the voting.

  34. medium

    Which country is the only nation to have played at every FIFA World Cup finals since the tournament began in 1930?

    WhyBrazil are the only nation to have appeared at every World Cup finals since 1930; Argentina, England and Germany have each missed at least one.

  35. hard

    How many goals did Gary Lineker score at the 1986 World Cup to win the Golden Boot?

    Why6 goals — including a hat-trick vs Poland in the group stage. He's the only English player to win a World Cup Golden Boot.

  36. medium

    Which country did Italy shockingly lose to in the round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup — sent home via a golden-goal winner?

    WhyAhn Jung-hwan headed home the golden-goal winner in extra time at Daejeon, after Italy had been reduced to ten men by Totti's red. The hosts went on to reach the semi-finals.

  37. medium

    Before coaching France to 1998 World Cup glory, which manager had won five league titles as a Saint-Étienne player?

    WhyAimé Jacquet spent 1960-73 as an ASSE midfielder before masterminding France's 1998 triumph.

  38. hard

    Which country was the first from Africa to compete in a World Cup — in 1934?

    WhyEgypt lost 4-2 to Hungary in their only match at the 1934 tournament in Italy — and didn't appear at another World Cup until 1990.

  39. medium

    Who became the first man to win the World Cup as both captain (1974) and manager (1990)?

    WhyBeckenbauer led West Germany to glory in both roles. Didier Deschamps later joined him in this club with France (captain 1998, manager 2018).

  40. medium

    How many World Cup goals did Miroslav Klose score across his 4 tournaments (2002-2014)?

    WhyKlose scored 16 WC goals in 24 appearances (2002-2014), surpassing Ronaldo's 15 with his goal vs Brazil in the 2014 semifinal 7-1 demolition.

  41. hard

    Three Liverpool players were in England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad. Which Reds striker started every game and scored three times in the tournament?

    WhyHe was Liverpool's record scorer (285 goals) before Ian Rush; clubmates Callaghan and Gerry Byrne also made the squad, but he was the only forward to start every match.

  42. medium

    The Disgrace of Gijón involved which two teams deliberately drawing to eliminate which nation?

    WhyWest Germany beat Austria 1-0 in a match that allowed both to qualify at Algeria's expense — leading to final group games being played simultaneously.

  43. medium

    Which Morocco goalkeeper made decisive saves in the 2022 World Cup penalty shootout vs Spain?

    WhyBono (Yassine Bounou) of Sevilla. Morocco won 3-0 on penalties after 0-0 in 120 mins.

  44. hard

    How many nations competed in the very first World Cup in 1930?

    WhyThirteen nations made the trip to Uruguay in 1930 — only four from Europe, after a long boat journey many clubs refused.

  45. medium

    Ronaldo Nazário (R9) won the Golden Boot at the 2002 World Cup — how many goals did he score in the tournament?

    WhyRonaldo scored 8 goals, including both in the final vs Germany. He scored vs Turkey (twice, once in group and once in SF), China, Costa Rica (twice), Belgium, and Germany (twice).

  46. medium

    Real Betis's home stadium in Seville hosted matches at which men's World Cup?

    WhySpain hosted the 1982 World Cup, and Betis's Seville ground staged some of the matches.

  47. hard

    Through the 2022 World Cup, which country had appeared in the most World Cup finals - 8?

    WhyGermany/West Germany reached 8 finals (1954, 1966, 1974, 1982, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2014) through 2022, ahead of Brazil's 7.

  48. medium

    Which nation knocked out defending champions Brazil in the group stage of the 1966 World Cup — before reaching the semi-finals on the back of Eusébio's goals?

    WhyPortugal beat Brazil 3-1 in their final group game (Pelé was injured out of the tournament), then came from 3-0 down to beat North Korea 5-3 in the QF before losing 2-1 to England in the SF.

  49. medium

    Defending champions France were eliminated in the 2002 World Cup group stage without scoring a goal — which country beat them 2-0 in their final group game?

    WhySenegal beat them 1-0 in the opener, they drew 0-0 with Uruguay (Henry red-carded), then Denmark beat them 2-0 with goals from Rommedahl and Tomasson.

  50. hard

    Which legendary German striker scored in four consecutive World Cups — 1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970?

    WhyThe Hamburger SV icon was the first player to score in four different World Cups — a record later beaten by Pelé, Ronaldo and Klose.

  51. medium

    What colour did Brazil originally wear before switching to their iconic yellow kit after a traumatic World Cup defeat?

    WhyThey changed after the 1950 'Maracanazo' — their shock home defeat to Uruguay in the World Cup final.

  52. medium

    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?

    WhyThe 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.

  53. hard

    In the decisive 1950 World Cup match, which Brazil goalkeeper was unfairly blamed for the rest of his life after conceding the goal that handed Uruguay the title?

    WhyDecades later he reportedly said he was an innocent man serving a life sentence for a crime he didn't commit.

  54. medium

    Kylian Mbappe became the youngest player since Pele to score in a World Cup final — how old was he in 2018?

    WhyMbappe was 19 in the 2018 final; only Pele (17 in 1958) has scored in a World Cup final at a younger age.

  55. medium

    The 2026 World Cup final venue is MetLife Stadium — which metropolitan area is that in?

    WhyMetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — home of the NFL's Giants and Jets — hosts the 19 July 2026 final.

  56. hard

    Morocco beat Spain on penalties in the 2022 World Cup round of 16 — how did Yassine Bounou perform in the shootout?

    WhyBounou saved Soler's and Busquets's penalties; Sarabia hit the post. Spain missed all three of their attempts — Morocco won 3-0 in the shootout.

  57. medium

    Germany beat Saudi Arabia 8-0 in the 2002 World Cup group stage — who scored a hat-trick in that match, his only World Cup hat-trick?

    WhyKlose scored 3 headers vs Saudi Arabia in Germany's opening 8-0 win. He finished the tournament with 5 goals and went on to become the all-time top WC scorer (16 goals).

  58. medium

    What was Paraguay's best-ever World Cup result, achieved back in 2010?

    WhyParaguay reached the quarter-finals at South Africa 2010, losing 1-0 to eventual champions Spain.

  59. hard

    The first World Cup held in Africa was 2010 — what was the official mascot called?

    WhyZakumi was a green-haired leopard — the name fuses 'ZA', South Africa's country code, with 'kumi', meaning ten in several African languages, a nod to the year 2010.

  60. medium

    Which player scored England's consolation goal in their 2-1 defeat by Argentina at the 1986 World Cup — the 'Hand of God' quarter-final?

    WhyLineker pulled one back late but couldn't spark a comeback. He still won the Golden Boot with 6 goals at that tournament.

  61. medium

    What was the score when England opened their 2022 World Cup campaign against Iran?

    WhyEngland 6-2 Iran on 21 Nov 2022 (Bellingham, Saka 2, Sterling, Rashford, Grealish scored). Iran's 2 goals (Taremi) came late.

  62. hard

    The first penalty kick in World Cup history came in France vs Chile in 1930 — who saved the spot kick?

    WhyChile's Carlos Vidal took the kick but France's Thépot pushed it away in the 30th minute — the first ever WC penalty save.

  63. medium

    Which goalkeeper holds the joint record for most clean sheets at a single World Cup tournament — 5 in 2006 (Italy won)?

    WhyBuffon kept 5 clean sheets at WC 2006 (7 games, conceded only 2 goals — 1 own goal vs USA, 1 penalty by Zidane in final). Shared record with Fabien Barthez (France 1998).

  64. medium

    Ghana became the THIRD African nation to reach a World Cup quarter-final in 2010 — after Cameroon (1990) and Senegal (2002). Who was their famous striker?

    WhyAsamoah Gyan scored key goals at 2010 WC. Famously missed a pen in the last minute of ET vs Uruguay (Suarez handball).

  65. hard

    Sweden made it to 2026 — who scored their crucial qualifying winner vs Poland?

    WhyViktor Gyokeres' winner against Poland sent Sweden to their first World Cup since 2018.

  66. medium

    Which West Ham midfielder scored England's second goal in the 1966 World Cup final before later joining Tottenham?

    WhyMartin Peters, later of Tottenham, scored England's second goal in the 1966 final.

  67. medium

    Which striker, then a Lazio player, broke the World Cup's all-time scoring record at the 2014 tournament?

    WhyMiroslav Klose, at Lazio from 2011 to 2016, netted his record 16th World Cup goal in Germany's semi-final rout of Brazil.

  68. hard

    The 2002 World Cup co-hosting arrangement between Japan and South Korea was the first time two nations shared hosting — how many stadiums were used in total?

    WhyTen stadiums in each country — the tournament opened in Seoul and ended in Yokohama, where Ronaldo's double gave Brazil a 2-0 win over Germany in the final.

  69. medium

    Which South American country beat hosts Brazil 2-1 in the decisive match known as the 'Maracanazo' in 1950?

    WhyThe game wasn't technically a final — the 1950 WC used a final round-robin group, and Uruguay's win made them champions.

  70. medium

    Which national team did Moisés Caicedo represent at the 2022 World Cup?

    WhyHe featured for the side that faced hosts Qatar in the tournament's opening match.

  71. hard

    Who was the first player to be sent off in a World Cup final?

    WhyThe Argentina defender was dismissed for a lunge on Jürgen Klinsmann in the 1990 final against West Germany; teammate Gustavo Dezotti also saw red in the closing minutes, moments after Brehme's 85th-minute penalty settled it 1-0.

  72. medium

    Switzerland went the entire 2006 World Cup without conceding a single goal, yet still went out in the round of 16 — which team knocked them out on penalties?

    WhySwitzerland lost 3-0 on penalties after a 0-0 draw — the first side ever knocked out without conceding.

  73. medium

    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?

    WhyThe 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.

  74. hard

    Japan have qualified for every World Cup since 1998 — how many times have they reached the round of 16 (through 2022)?

    WhyJapan R16 appearances: 2002 (lost to Turkey), 2010 (Paraguay on pens), 2018 (Belgium 2-3), 2022 (Croatia on pens). Group exits: 1998, 2006, 2014.

  75. medium

    Which nation reached the World Cup semi-final just 6 years after being admitted to international football — at the 1998 World Cup?

    WhyCroatia were admitted to international football in 1992 and reached the semi-final at 1998 WC (lost to France, finished 3rd with Suker Golden Boot).

  76. medium

    Which former Torino striker of the 1970s went on to win the 1982 World Cup with Italy?

    WhyFrancesco Graziani starred for Torino in the 1970s before featuring in Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph.

  77. hard

    Which player scored the fastest hat-trick in World Cup history — in just seven minutes against El Salvador in 1982, as a substitute?

    WhyThe Hungarian came on in the 55th minute and scored in the 69th, 72nd and 76th minutes during a 10-1 rout.

  78. medium

    Norman Whiteside set a record at the 1982 World Cup that still stands. What was it?

    WhyThe Belfast-born United teenager beat Pele's mark, lining up for Northern Ireland aged just 17 years and 41 days.

  79. medium

    Which country did Brazil beat 4-1 in the 1970 World Cup final at the Estadio Azteca?

    WhyPele opened, Boninsegna equalised for Italy, then Gerson, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto's iconic team goal sealed Brazil's third World Cup.

  80. hard

    Zinedine Zidane scored a 27th-minute header in the 1998 World Cup final from an in-swinging corner on the right. Which French midfielder took that corner?

    WhyPetit delivered the right-side corner for Zidane's opener (27'). The 2nd header came from a Djorkaeff corner on the left. Petit later sealed 3-0 in stoppage time.

  81. medium

    Which World Cup-winning defender wound down his career at Fulham in the mid-1970s?

    WhyEngland's 1966 World Cup-winning captain finished up at the Cottage.

  82. medium

    Which Gelsenkirchen-born playmaker came through Schalke before winning the 2014 World Cup with Germany?

    WhyÖzil, born in Gelsenkirchen, began his senior career at Schalke before the 2014 triumph in Brazil.

  83. hard

    Uzbekistan reached their first-ever World Cup in 2026 — which Italian World Cup winner was hired in 2025 to lead them at the finals?

    WhyFabio Cannavaro, the 2006 World Cup-winning captain, took charge of Uzbekistan in 2025.

  84. medium

    Which Ghanaian striker became Sunderland's club-record signing in 2010?

    WhyThe Black Stars forward arrived after a strong 2010 World Cup.

  85. medium

    Which nation won the third-place playoff at the 2014 World Cup, beating hosts Brazil 3-0?

    WhyThe Netherlands beat Brazil 3-0 in the third-place playoff. Brazil's heaviest World Cup defeat was the 7-1 semi-final loss to Germany.

  86. hard

    Roger Milla robbed goalkeeper René Higuita to score before his corner-flag dance in the Italia 90 Round of 16 — against which country?

    WhyThe 38-year-old Milla dispossessed sweeper-keeper René Higuita and rolled the ball in — one of his two goals in Cameroon's 2-1 extra-time win over Colombia.

  87. medium

    Uruguay won the inaugural World Cup in 1930, beating Argentina 4-2 in the final. Where was the final held?

    WhyThe final was played at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, built specifically for the tournament.

  88. medium

    Which team beat Brazil 3-2 in the second round of the 1982 World Cup — one of the greatest upsets ever?

    WhyPaolo Rossi's hat-trick at Estadio Sarrià eliminated Zico, Socrates and Brazil's famed attacking side as Italy marched on to win the tournament.

  89. hard

    Who scored Argentina's third goal in the 1986 World Cup final vs West Germany?

    WhyJorge Burruchaga scored the winner. Argentina led 2-0, let Germany equalise at 2-2, then Burruchaga scored from a Maradona assist.

  90. medium

    At the end of the 2022 World Cup, which player held the record for most World Cup matches played — 26 appearances across 5 tournaments (2006-2022)?

    WhyMessi broke Matthäus' 25-match record at Qatar 2022. His 26th WC appearance came in the final vs France.

  91. medium

    Who played the chipped through ball that set up Michael Owen's famous solo goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup?

    WhyBeckham lofted a delicate chipped pass from midfield that Owen latched onto before sprinting past Chamot and Ayala to score. Beckham was later sent off for a kick at Simeone.

  92. hard

    Which player scored the winning penalty for Argentina in the 1990 World Cup quarter-final shootout vs Yugoslavia?

    WhyMaradona missed his kick; Gustavo Dezotti scored the decisive penalty as Argentina won the shootout 3-2.

  93. medium

    Which German striker scored 10 goals at the 1970 World Cup?

    WhyGerd Müller scored 10 goals at Mexico 1970 — winning the Golden Boot. The last player to hit 10+ at a single WC.

  94. medium

    Which country beat Brazil 3-0 in the third-place play-off at the 2014 World Cup on home soil?

    WhyVan 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.

  95. hard

    Which country was thrown out of 2010 World Cup qualification after FIFA suspended its football federation, with its played matches annulled?

    WhyFIFA suspended the Ethiopian federation in 2008 over government interference and voided their remaining qualifiers mid-campaign.

  96. medium

    Which country reached three consecutive World Cup finals in 1982, 1986 and 1990 — winning only the last?

    WhyBeckenbauer coached the 1990 side to victory over Argentina after painful final losses to Italy (1982) and Maradona's Argentina (1986).

  97. medium

    Which World Cup saw the first-ever VAR technology used?

    WhyIFAB officially approved the technology only months before kickoff.

  98. hard

    Which country held hosts France to a 0-0 draw in the final match of Group A at Euro 2016 — with both teams advancing to the knockout round?

    WhyFrance finished Group A winners with 7 points; this Alpine neighbour finished second with 5, advancing to face Poland in the round of 16 (losing on penalties).

  99. medium

    Which two nations met in the Arena AufSchalke quarter-final at the 2006 World Cup?

    WhyEngland lost to Portugal on penalties in the Gelsenkirchen quarter-final on 1 July 2006.

  100. medium

    The 1954 World Cup final between Hungary and West Germany ended in what famous scoreline — dubbed the 'Miracle of Bern'?

    WhyHungary led 2-0 after 8 minutes through Puskás and Czibor, but Morlock and Rahn (twice) completed one of the greatest comebacks in final history.

  101. hard

    Who scored England's consolation goal in their 4-1 defeat by Germany at the 2010 World Cup?

    WhyMatthew Upson's header made it 2-1 — minutes before Frank Lampard's shot bounced over the line and was never given.

  102. medium

    How many World Cup goals did Pelé score in total across his 4 tournament appearances (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970)?

    WhyPelé scored 12 WC goals in 14 matches across 4 tournaments. He won 3 WCs (1958 as 17-yo star, 1962 injured after group, 1970 legendary captain).

  103. medium

    France beat Morocco in the 2022 World Cup semi-final — what was the score?

    WhyTheo Hernández volleyed France in front after 5 minutes and Kolo Muani sealed the win on his second touch as a sub in the 79th. The Atlas Lions failed to score.

  104. hard

    Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in the 2006 World Cup final came in which minute of extra time?

    WhyWith penalties looming in Berlin, Zidane drove his head into Marco Materazzi's chest after an exchange of words — the red card ended his career, and Italy won the shootout 5-3.

  105. medium

    Brazil went 24 years between World Cup wins from 1970 to 1994 — which country eliminated them in the second group stage at the 1974 World Cup?

    WhyNetherlands 2-0 Brazil at Westfalenstadion Dortmund (3 July 1974) — Neeskens (50') and Cruyff (65'). The Dutch advanced to the final.

  106. medium

    Zvonimir Boban received a six-month ban from the Yugoslav FA for kicking a policeman during the Maksimir stadium riot. Which tournament did the ban cause him to miss?

    WhyBoban received a six-month ban and so missed Yugoslavia's 1990 World Cup campaign in Italy.

  107. hard

    The 2026 World Cup group stage had how many matches — more than any previous edition?

    Why12 groups each played 6 matches (every team played 3); add the 32 knockout games for 104 overall.

  108. medium

    Terry Butcher, who came through Ipswich's youth ranks, won international caps for which country?

    WhyThe centre-back became a fixture in the national defence at two World Cups.

  109. medium

    Iceland became the then-smallest nation by population to reach a World Cup — which year?

    WhyTwo years after their famous Euro 2016 quarter-final run. Curaçao (pop. ~156,000) took the smallest-nation record by qualifying for 2026.

  110. hard

    Which Argentine substitute keeper saved two penalties each in the 1990 World Cup quarter-final and semi-final shootouts — taking the Albiceleste all the way to the final?

    WhyOriginally Argentina's third-choice keeper, he was thrust into the side after Pumpido broke his leg in the second group game and became a national hero during the knockout rounds.

  111. medium

    Which Argentine striker is the only player in history to score hat-tricks at two different World Cups — against Greece in 1994 and Jamaica in 1998?

    WhyBoth his hat-tricks came on 21 June, both against World Cup debutants, and both saw the third goal arrive from the penalty spot.

  112. medium

    Who holds Canada's all-time record for international appearances?

    WhyHutchinson finished with 104 caps over 20 years, retiring after the 2023 Concacaf Nations League final.

  113. hard

    Pelé is the only player ever to win THREE World Cups. Who came closest — winning TWO, then a THIRD as a coach?

    WhyMário Zagallo won 2 WCs as a player (1958, 1962 with Pelé) and a 3rd as head coach (1970 — with Pelé again). He was also assistant coach in 1994.

  114. medium

    What was the final score in the 1978 World Cup final when Argentina beat the Netherlands after extra time?

    WhyArgentina won 3-1 in extra time in Buenos Aires. Kempes scored twice, with Bertoni adding the third.

  115. medium

    Who managed Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final?

    WhyZlatko 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.

  116. hard

    Which country is the youngest player ever to appear at a World Cup, Norman Whiteside, from?

    WhyWhiteside was 17 years and 41 days old when he faced Yugoslavia at Spain '82, breaking Pelé's record from 1958 — and Northern Ireland went on to stun hosts Spain 1-0 through Gerry Armstrong's goal.

  117. medium

    Which Canadian cities hosted games at the 2026 World Cup?

    WhyToronto (BMO Field, 6 matches) and Vancouver (BC Place, 7 matches) were Canada's two host cities.

  118. medium

    Canada qualified for their first World Cup since 1986 in 2022 — who scored their first ever men's World Cup goal, against Croatia?

    WhyThe Bayern Munich left-back opened the scoring in the second minute of a 4-1 group-stage loss — a historic moment for Canadian football.

  119. hard

    Mexico have qualified for most World Cups since 1982, with only one notable absence — what caused them to miss Italia '90?

    WhyWorld football's governing body banned all Mexican national teams from international competition for two years after the federation fielded four overage players at a CONCACAF U-20 tournament in 1988.

  120. medium

    Which country won the first-ever World Cup penalty shootout in 1982 — a dramatic semi-final in Seville?

    WhyAfter a thrilling 3-3 draw that included a notorious foul by Schumacher on Battiston, West Germany won 5-4 on penalties.

  121. medium

    Who scored the opening goal — a towering 50th-minute header from a corner — as Portugal beat Wales 2-0 in the Euro 2016 semi-final, before setting up Nani for the second three minutes later?

    WhyThis was his 9th European Championship goal, equalling Michel Platini's then-record.

  122. hard

    Who headed the only goal for France in their 1-0 World Cup 2018 semi-final win over Belgium — from a corner by Antoine Griezmann?

    WhyThe 51st-minute header at the Krestovsky Stadium in St Petersburg sent France to their third World Cup final. Belgium, ranked the world's #1 side at the time, finished third.

  123. medium

    Argentina won the 2024 Copa America. Which country did they beat in the final?

    WhyLautaro Martínez scored the winner in extra time on July 14, 2024.

  124. medium

    Colombia's star attacker Luis Díaz heading into the 2026 World Cup plays for which European club?

    WhyLuis Díaz joined Bayern Munich from Liverpool in July 2025 for €75m. He wears #14 at Bayern. He won the 2024-25 Premier League with Liverpool before the move.

  125. hard

    Who provided the assist for Mario Götze's World Cup winning goal in 2014?

    WhySubstitute Schürrle raced down the left and crossed for fellow sub Götze to chest and volley home in the 113th minute at the Maracanã, beating Argentina 1-0.

  126. medium

    Italy failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups — starting with which tournament?

    WhyThe four-time winners missed 2018, 2022 and 2026 — a stunning run of absences.

  127. medium

    Only two countries have ever won back-to-back World Cups. Italy did it in 1934 and 1938. Which other country won consecutive World Cups in 1958 and 1962?

    WhyNo team has ever won three in a row.

  128. hard

    Which player scored for BOTH teams in the same World Cup match at the 1978 finals?

    WhyDutch defender Ernie Brandts scored an own goal AND a legitimate goal in the same group-stage match against Italy at Argentina '78.

  129. medium

    How many World Cup goals did Gerd Müller score across the 1970 and 1974 tournaments — a German record he held for decades?

    WhyMüller scored 10 at Mexico 1970 (Golden Boot) and 4 at home in 1974 (including the final-winning goal vs Netherlands). Klose later passed his total with 16.

  130. medium

    Who scored the only goal of the 1990 World Cup final for West Germany — from the penalty spot in the 85th minute?

    WhyRegular taker Matthäus had uncomfortable new boots, so the defender stepped up and beat Sergio Goycochea low to the keeper's right.

  131. hard

    The 2014 World Cup produced a record number of goals in the group stage — how many?

    WhyThe group stage averaged 2.83 goals a game, and the tournament's 171 overall tied France 98 for the all-time record.

  132. medium

    Who scored for Germany in the 11th minute of the 2014 semi-final vs Brazil to start the rout?

    WhyThomas Müller opened the scoring in the 11th minute of Germany's 7-1 demolition of Brazil.

  133. medium

    Which World Cup uniquely decided its champion via a final round-robin group instead of a knockout final?

    Why1950 Brazil WC was the first (and only) WC with a final round-robin group format instead of a knockout final. Uruguay beat Brazil 2-1 in the decisive match ('Maracanazo').

  134. hard

    Which country knocked out Brazil in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup?

    WhyFrance won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Guadalajara. Zico missed a penalty in normal time for Brazil.

  135. medium

    The 1982 World Cup Disgrace of Gijón saw West Germany beat Austria 1-0 to eliminate which African nation?

    WhyBoth European sides knew a narrow German win would see them both progress. The outcry led organisers to schedule final group matches simultaneously from 1986 onwards.

  136. medium

    Which country shocked Italy 1-0 in the 1994 World Cup group stage thanks to Ray Houghton's early chip?

    WhyJack Charlton's Ireland triumphed at Giants Stadium in front of a sea of Irish-American support, with the Aston Villa man lobbing Pagliuca in the 11th minute.

  137. hard

    Which country knocked out Brazil in the semi-final of the 1938 World Cup?

    WhyItaly won 2-1 in Marseille and went on to retain the trophy — Brazil had rested Leonidas, reportedly saving him for a final they never reached.

  138. medium

    Which Brazilian playmaker, nicknamed the 'White Pelé', wore the number 10 shirt at three World Cups from 1978 to 1986?

    WhyDespite being widely regarded as the greatest Brazilian never to win the World Cup, the Flamengo legend captained the brilliant 1982 squad that fell to Italy.

  139. medium

    Ronaldo R9 starred at the 2002 World Cup after years of knee injuries — which Italian club was he playing for at the time?

    WhyRonaldo scored 8 goals at the 2002 WC (incl. both goals in the final vs Germany) while an Inter player.

  140. hard

    How many CONCACAF teams competed at the 2026 World Cup including the three hosts?

    WhyCONCACAF teams at 2026: USA, Canada, Mexico (hosts), Panama, Curaçao, Haiti (3 direct qualifiers) — 6 total. Jamaica reached the intercontinental playoff but lost to DR Congo.

  141. medium

    The USA famously beat which side 1-0 at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil — considered one of football's greatest upsets?

    WhyHaitian-born Joe Gaetjens scored the only goal in Belo Horizonte. England were heavy favourites; they crashed out in the group stage.

  142. medium

    Which Everton full-back started for England in their 1966 World Cup final victory?

    WhyLeft-back Ray Wilson was an Everton player when England beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley.

  143. hard

    The 2018 World Cup had a record number of goals from set pieces — roughly what percentage?

    WhyFIFA's technical study credited roughly 43 percent of Russia 2018's goals to set-piece situations, penalties included — the VAR effect in numbers.

  144. medium

    How many World Cup Golden Balls had Messi won by the end of the 2022 tournament?

    WhyMessi won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player at both the 2014 and 2022 World Cups.

  145. medium

    Which three Mexican cities hosted games at the 2026 World Cup?

    WhyEstadio Azteca (Mexico City), Estadio Akron (Guadalajara), Estadio BBVA (Monterrey) — 13 matches total.

  146. hard

    In Australia's 2006 World Cup Round of 16 defeat to Italy, who scored the controversial 95th-minute winning penalty?

    WhyFrancesco Totti scored after Fabio Grosso fell over Lucas Neill in the box — Italy went on to win the tournament.

  147. medium

    After which tournament did Steven Gerrard retire from international football, ending a 114-cap England career?

    WhyGerrard won 114 caps between 2000 and 2014, captaining England 38 times, and retired from internationals after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

  148. medium

    Johan Cruyff's iconic turn against Sweden at the 1974 World Cup left defender Jan Olsson chasing a ghost. To pull it off, behind which leg did Cruyff drag the ball?

    WhyCruyff feigned a pass, then dragged the ball back with the inside of his foot — behind his planted standing leg — and spun 180 degrees away from Olsson.

  149. hard

    Which one-club Fulham right-back won the World Cup with England in 1966?

    WhyThe Fulham full-back is an uncle of a rugby World Cup winner.

  150. medium

    Up to and including the 2026 World Cup, how many times has Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified for the World Cup?

    WhyBosnia have qualified twice — for 2014 in Brazil (their debut, out in the group stage) and for 2026 after beating Italy on penalties in the UEFA playoff final.

  151. medium

    Which Athletic Bilbao striker was part of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning squad?

    WhyFernando Llorente travelled to South Africa 2010 as an Athletic player and lifted the trophy with Spain.

  152. hard

    Who scored the only goal as England beat Argentina 1-0 in the 1966 World Cup quarter-final?

    WhyHurst headed in Martin Peters' cross in the game remembered for Antonio Rattin's sending-off — three weeks before his final hat-trick.

  153. medium

    At international level, HSV playmaker Rafael van der Vaart appeared at World Cups for which national team?

    WhyVan der Vaart was a Netherlands international who represented the Dutch at the World Cup.

  154. medium

    Which Italian club did Mexico striker Santiago Giménez join from Feyenoord in early 2025?

    WhyGiménez joined AC Milan in early 2025 from Feyenoord for around €37m.

  155. hard

    Which country had reached the most World Cup finals — eight — through the 2022 tournament?

    WhyGermany reached 8 World Cup finals through 2022 (1954, 1966, 1974, 1982, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2014), winning four.

  156. medium

    Which Brazilian keeper saved Daniele Massaro's penalty in the 1994 World Cup final shootout — the first final ever decided on penalties?

    WhyBaresi blazed over and Baggio famously skied the decisive kick, but the Brazilian's one save — diving low to his left — was still crucial in securing a fourth title at the Rose Bowl.

  157. medium

    Croatia gained independence in 1991 and joined international football in 1992. What was their best result at their first World Cup?

    WhyCroatia finished third at France 1998 with Davor Šuker winning the Golden Boot (6 goals).

  158. hard

    Which Hungarian substitute scored a 7-minute hat-trick vs El Salvador at the 1982 World Cup — still a World Cup record?

    WhyKiss came off the bench in Hungary's record 10-1 win and scored three in the 70th, 73rd and 76th minutes — still the only WC hat-trick by a substitute.

  159. medium

    Which two teams played in the first ever World Cup final in 1930?

    WhyUruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the final in Montevideo, with Argentina leading 2-1 at half time.

  160. medium

    What was the score when France beat Argentina in the 2018 World Cup round of 16 — a classic game featuring Mbappé's brace?

    WhyGriezmann opened with a penalty, di María and Mercado turned it around, before Pavard's volley and Mbappé's brace sealed a famous 4-3 win at Kazan Arena on 30 June 2018.

  161. hard

    Henry's controversial handball in a November 2009 World Cup qualifying playoff helped France eliminate which nation?

    WhyHenry's unpunished handball set up William Gallas's decisive goal in the playoff second leg, sending France to the 2010 World Cup at the Republic of Ireland's expense.

  162. medium

    Which country has hosted the World Cup the most times?

    WhyReturns in 2026 as a co-host with two prior solo hostings on its résumé.

  163. medium

    Which Caribbean island nation qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the first time ever, becoming the smallest nation by population to make a men's World Cup?

    WhyCuraçao (population ~155,000) made their men's World Cup debut in 2026. Haiti also qualified for only their second WC ever, the first being 1974.

  164. hard

    Portugal finished third at the 1966 World Cup after losing the semi-final to hosts England — which country did they beat in the third-place playoff?

    WhyEusébio's Portugal beat the Soviet Union 2-1 to claim third place at the 1966 World Cup.

  165. medium

    Which Argentina captain, who lifted the 1978 World Cup, joined Fiorentina in 1982?

    WhyDaniel Passarella, Argentina's 1978 World Cup-winning captain, played for Fiorentina from 1982 to 1986.

  166. medium

    Which German midfielder scored at three consecutive World Cups — 1986, 1990 and 1994 — and went on to appear at a record five tournaments in total?

    WhyHe captained West Germany to the 1990 title, scoring four goals at that tournament including the quarter-final winner from the penalty spot. He also played at 1982 and 1998.

  167. hard

    Which country's team bus was stoned after their 1966 World Cup exit at the hands of North Korea?

    WhyItaly's players were pelted with rotten tomatoes on landing at Genoa after losing 1-0 to North Korea — the azzurri's darkest airport arrival.

  168. medium

    Which country finished third at the 1966 World Cup hosted by England?

    WhyPortugal — led by Eusébio's 9 goals — beat the USSR 2-1 in the third-place play-off.

  169. medium

    Which long-serving Ipswich full-back captained England at the 1982 World Cup?

    WhyHe wore the armband for the national side in Spain.

  170. hard

    Which French great managed Palace from 2021 to 2023 in his first Premier League job?

    WhyA World Cup-winning midfielder and former Arsenal captain.

  171. medium

    The expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup group stage had how many groups?

    WhyTwelve groups of four — the 72-game group stage produced a record 215 goals.

  172. medium

    The highest-scoring World Cup final ever produced 7 goals in 1958 — between which two countries?

    WhyBrazil beat hosts Sweden 5-2 at Råsunda with a 17-year-old Pelé scoring twice, including an iconic flick over a defender.

  173. hard

    Who became the first player to represent two different countries at the World Cup?

    WhyLuis Monti lost the 1930 final with Argentina, then won the 1934 edition with Italy — the only man to play World Cup finals for two countries.

  174. medium

    Who scored the fastest goal in World Cup history — after just 11 seconds?

    WhyHakan Sukur scored after 11 seconds for Turkey against South Korea in the 2002 third-place play-off.

  175. medium

    Who scored the only goal — a 33rd-minute penalty — for France as they beat Portugal in the 2006 World Cup semi-final in Munich?

    WhyFrance met Italy in the FINAL (1-1, Italy won on pens). Italy's SF win came over hosts Germany 2-0 in extra time.

  176. hard

    Who scored the winning goal for West Germany in the 1954 World Cup final — dubbed the 'Miracle of Bern'?

    WhyThe Essen winger scored twice in the 3-2 comeback win over Puskás' Hungary — his second in the 84th minute is immortalised in German radio commentary.

  177. medium

    Italy impressively beat holders Spain 2-0 in the Euro 2016 round of 16 — which side then eliminated the Azzurri on penalties in the quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw?

    WhyA record nine-round shoot-out (6-5) gave this opponent their first ever competitive victory over Italy, after Chiellini and Pellè had stunned Spain at the Stade de France in R16.

  178. medium

    Which city hosted the 2014 World Cup semi-final in which Germany beat Brazil 7-1?

    WhyThe Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte was the scene of Brazil's most painful defeat.

  179. hard

    Cape Verde qualified for 2026 by topping their group — which famous African nation did they beat to qualify?

    WhyThe Blue Sharks topped their group ahead of Cameroon — a first finals for the islands and one of African qualifying's great shocks.

  180. medium

    Which England player famously burst into tears after being booked in the 1990 World Cup semi-final, knowing the yellow card would rule him out of the final?

    WhyGascoigne's tears in Turin, after his booking against West Germany, became one of English football's most iconic images.

  181. medium

    Which future Brazil captain, who lifted the 1994 World Cup, anchored Fiorentina's midfield from 1988 to 1992?

    WhyDunga played for Fiorentina from 1988 to 1992 before captaining Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title.

  182. hard

    In the famous 7-1 'Mineirazo' (Germany 7-1 Brazil, 2014 WC SF), Germany scored FOUR goals in just SIX minutes — between which minutes?

    WhyKlose (23'), Kroos (24'), Kroos (26'), Khedira (29') — four goals in six minutes that broke Brazil. Müller had opened the scoring earlier at the 11th minute, making it 5 goals in 18 minutes overall.

  183. medium

    What were the only two World Cup tournaments cancelled — due to World War II?

    WhyThe four-year cycle was preserved — the gap runs from 1938 to 1950.

  184. medium

    Which legendary forward scored in the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups for Germany?

    WhyKlose scored in FOUR consecutive World Cups (2002-2014), the joint-most ever. His debut WC was 2002.

  185. hard

    In the very first World Cup final in 1930, what unusual compromise did the two teams reach before kickoff?

    WhyHosts Uruguay and visitors Argentina couldn't agree on whose equipment to trust, so officials split the difference at half-time.

  186. medium

    What is Portugal's best ever finish at a World Cup?

    WhyPortugal finished third at the 1966 World Cup in England, beating the USSR 2-1 in the third-place play-off.

  187. medium

    Which Dinamo Zagreb striker scored Croatia's late equaliser against Brazil in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final?

    WhyPetković's 117th-minute strike forced penalties, which Croatia won to reach the semi-finals.

  188. hard

    Which country has won the most World Cup bronze medals — reaching third place most times?

    WhyGermany have finished third four times — 1934, 1970, 2006 and 2010 — to go with their four titles and four runner-up finishes.

  189. medium

    Which Italian defender captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup title, lifting the trophy in Berlin and winning that year's Ballon d'Or?

    WhyFabio Cannavaro played every minute of the tournament without scoring or being booked. He moved to Real Madrid that summer.

  190. medium

    Nani, who left Sporting for Manchester United in 2007, played for which national team at the 2014 World Cup?

    WhyCape Verde-born Nani represented Portugal, featuring at the 2014 World Cup.

  191. hard

    The 1986 World Cup was originally awarded to which country before Mexico stepped in?

    WhyColombia was awarded the 1986 tournament but withdrew in 1982 for economic reasons; Mexico stepped in and became the first two-time host.

  192. medium

    How many seconds did it take Hakan Şükür to score the fastest goal in World Cup history — for Turkey against South Korea in 2002?

    WhyThe exact officially recognised time was 10.89 seconds — it came in the third-place play-off at Daegu on 29 June 2002 and Turkey went on to win 3-2.

  193. medium

    Which Australian forward scored the only goal as Australia beat Denmark 1-0 to reach the 2022 World Cup Round of 16?

    WhyMathew Leckie scored the 60th-minute winner — Australia's first WC knockout match since 2006.

  194. hard

    Which Schalke academy graduate and defender played every minute of Germany's 2014 World Cup win, often at left-back?

    WhyHöwedes came through Schalke's youth ranks and was a mainstay of the 2014 champions.

  195. medium

    Who won the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup, edging three players also on 5 goals via the assists tiebreaker?

    WhyThomas Müller, Villa, Forlán and Sneijder all scored 5; Müller took the Golden Boot on assists.

  196. medium

    Villa striker Ollie Watkins scored a stoppage-time winner against which country in the Euro 2024 semi-final?

    WhyWatkins' late strike beat the Netherlands and sent England into the Euro 2024 final.

  197. hard

    Switzerland's consistent World Cup presence — how many consecutive tournaments have they qualified for including 2026?

    WhySwitzerland have qualified for six consecutive WCs: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. They missed 2002 (eliminated in qualifying).

  198. medium

    Which Asian nation made the biggest World Cup upset of 1966 — beating Italy 1-0 at Ayresome Park to knock the Azzurri out in the group stage?

    WhyPak Doo-ik scored the only goal and Middlesbrough adopted the underdogs, who then led Portugal 3-0 in the quarter-final before Eusébio's four goals turned the tie around.

  199. medium

    How many goals did Canada score at their first ever World Cup, in Mexico 1986?

    WhyCanada lost all three group games without scoring a goal.

  200. hard

    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?

    WhySlovakia were playing in their first ever World Cup. Italy had drawn 1-1 with Paraguay and New Zealand before this defeat.

  201. medium

    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?

    WhyHummels (then Dortmund) glanced in Kroos's 13th-minute inswinger off Varane to put Germany into the semi-finals.

  202. medium

    Which Brazilian striker won the Golden Ball as the best player at the 1994 World Cup — and World Player of the Year for that year?

    WhyThe Barcelona forward scored 5 goals at USA '94 including the winner in the semi-final against Sweden, and converted Brazil's second penalty in the final shootout against Italy.

  203. hard

    Who assisted Andres Iniesta's winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final?

    WhyIn the 116th minute Fàbregas slid the ball through for Iniesta to volley past Maarten Stekelenburg — Spain's 1-0 extra-time win in Johannesburg made them world champions for the first time.

  204. medium

    How far did Croatia advance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?

    WhyCroatia lost the semi-final 3-0 to eventual winners Argentina, then beat Morocco 2-1 in the third-place play-off.

  205. medium

    Neymar's 2014 World Cup with Brazil ended early after he suffered what injury against Colombia?

    WhyJuan Zúñiga's knee to Neymar's back fractured a vertebra in the quarter-final; Brazil then lost 7-1 to Germany without him.

  206. hard

    Italy beat which country 3-0 in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final, on their way to winning the trophy?

    WhyItaly beat Ukraine 3-0 in the quarter-final (Zambrotta and Toni x2), then Germany in the semi and France in the final.

  207. medium

    The 1950 World Cup used what format instead of knockout semi-finals and a final?

    WhyA final four mini-league meant the decisive Brazil vs Uruguay match wasn't technically the final but functioned as one.

  208. medium

    Which player opened the scoring for Italy against West Germany in the 1982 World Cup final, on his way to the Golden Boot (6 goals) and Golden Ball?

    WhyItaly beat West Germany 3-1 in the final (Rossi 57', Tardelli 69', Altobelli 81'; Breitner 83'). Rossi had also scored twice in the SF win over Poland.

  209. hard

    Who refereed the controversial 1966 World Cup final?

    WhyGottfried Dienst — with help from Soviet linesman Tofik Bakhramov — awarded Hurst's controversial third goal.

  210. medium

    Marco Tardelli's roaring, tearful celebration after scoring in the 1982 World Cup final is one of football's most famous images. Which club did he play for at the time?

    WhySix Juventus players started that 1982 final for Italy — a record spine from a single club — and Tardelli's scream became an eternal symbol of footballing emotion.

  211. medium

    As of the 2022 World Cup, how many times had England reached a World Cup semi-final?

    WhyEngland reached the semi-finals in 1966 (won), 1990 and 2018 — three times as of 2022.

  212. hard

    Which team did Brazil beat in the third-place play-off at the 1978 World Cup?

    WhyBrazil beat Italy 2-1 in the 1978 bronze match — Claudio Coutinho's side went home unbeaten and still without the title.

  213. medium

    Which Croatia player put through his own net to give France the lead in the 2018 World Cup final?

    WhyIt was the first own goal ever scored in a World Cup final — Mandžukić headed Griezmann's free kick past his own goalkeeper.

  214. medium

    Which winger, a product of Sevilla's academy, was part of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning squad?

    WhyAcademy graduate Jesús Navas won the 2010 World Cup with Spain.

  215. hard

    Which Nigerian forward — nicknamed 'The Bull' — scored twice at the 1994 World Cup (against Bulgaria and Greece) on his country's tournament debut?

    WhyEverton would sign him from Club Brugge for £3m after the tournament. A knee injury ahead of France '98 ended his international career with just 44 caps.

  216. medium

    What did Marco Materazzi reportedly say that triggered Zinedine Zidane's infamous 2006 World Cup final headbutt?

    WhyMaterazzi later admitted making comments about Zidane's sister. Zidane was sent off in his final professional match.

  217. medium

    Who scored the only goal of the 2026 World Cup final?

    WhyIt arrived in the 106th minute, six minutes into extra time.

  218. hard

    The 1982 World Cup semi-final between West Germany and France — decided by penalties after what score?

    WhyThe Seville semi finished 3-3 after extra time — the night of Schumacher's challenge on Battiston — before West Germany won the first World Cup shootout.

  219. medium

    At which stadium was the 2026 World Cup final played?

    WhyIt sits in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

  220. medium

    Who won the Golden Ball as the best player of the 2026 World Cup?

    WhyA holding midfielder, and a Ballon d'Or winner before the tournament.

  221. hard

    USA hosted the 1994 World Cup — which city hosted the final?

    WhyThe Rose Bowl staged the first World Cup final decided on penalties: Brazil beat Italy 3-2 in the shootout after a goalless draw, with Roberto Baggio blazing the final kick over the bar.

  222. medium

    Which goalkeeper won the Golden Glove at the 2026 World Cup?

    WhyHis side conceded just one goal in the whole tournament.

  223. medium

    England's third place at the 2026 World Cup was their best finish since which year?

    WhyThey were fourth in both 1990 and 2018.

  224. hard

    Who scored the decisive own goal for Scotland vs Brazil in the opening game of the 1998 World Cup — giving Brazil a 2-1 win?

    WhyTom Boyd deflected the ball into his own net after Cafu's shot in the 74th minute. Scotland had equalised through John Collins' penalty.

  225. medium

    Which England player scored a hat-trick in the 2026 World Cup third-place play-off?

    WhyAn Arsenal winger; two of his goals came before half-time.

  226. medium

    Which manager led Spain to the 2026 World Cup title?

    WhyHe had already won the Nations League with them.

  227. hard

    As of the 2024 Copa America, how many times had Argentina won the tournament - the most of any nation?

    WhyArgentina's 2024 triumph was their 16th Copa America, moving one clear of Uruguay's 15.

  228. medium

    Spain's 2026 victory made them the first country to hold which two trophies at the same time?

    WhyTheir women's side had won theirs in 2023.

  229. medium

    Which country did Spain beat in the semi-finals on their way to winning the 2026 World Cup?

    WhyThey won 2-0 in Texas, through an Oyarzabal penalty and a Pedro Porro strike.

  230. hard

    In the 1938 World Cup, which team received a walkover in the Round of 16 after Austria withdrew following the Anschluss — going on to reach the semi-finals where they were beaten 5-1 by Hungary?

    WhyThe Scandinavians then lost 4-2 to Brazil in the third-place play-off. Austria had qualified but could not take part because Germany had annexed the country in March 1938.

  231. easy

    Mexico had reached seven consecutive World Cup Round of 16s before — at which tournament did they fail to escape the group stage, snapping the streak?

    WhyMexico finished 3rd in their group at Qatar 2022 behind Argentina and Poland, ending a knockout-stage streak going back to 1994.

  232. easy

    Which country did England beat in the 1966 World Cup final, a game featuring three West Ham players?

    WhyEngland beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time at Wembley, with three West Ham players involved.

  233. hard

    Which Canadian midfielder played for Portuguese giant FC Porto at the 2022 World Cup?

    WhyEustáquio joined FC Porto in January 2022 and was a Porto player at Qatar 2022.

  234. easy

    Which manager led Ipswich Town to the 1961-62 First Division title?

    WhyHe would go on to win the 1966 World Cup as England manager.

  235. easy

    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?

    WhySpain's captain kept a clean sheet across all four knockout games as they won the 2010 title.

  236. hard

    Canada's 1986 World Cup group included France, the Soviet Union, and which other nation?

    WhyCanada's debut group in 1986 held France, the Soviet Union and Hungary — they left without scoring, and waited 36 years to return.

  237. easy

    Which club did England midfielder Jude Bellingham join in 2023 from Borussia Dortmund?

    WhyBellingham signed for Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023.

  238. easy

    Which country won the 2022 World Cup?

    WhyThe final went to penalties in Qatar after a 3-3 draw; Mbappé scored a hat-trick in defeat.

  239. hard

    Which player created 7 chances in Brazil's 1-0 win over England at the 1970 World Cup — a single-game tournament record?

    WhyThe Jairzinho header that won it was set up by Tostão, but it was Pelé who orchestrated most of the attacks, including the iconic Banks save.

  240. easy

    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?

    WhyThe 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.

  241. easy

    Which Netherlands striker scored an iconic flying diving header over Iker Casillas to equalise against Spain in a 5-1 rout at the 2014 World Cup — a rematch of the 2010 final?

    WhyDaley Blind's long pass set up 'the Flying Dutchman' for the goal. The Netherlands' margin of victory was the biggest ever suffered by a defending champion at a World Cup.

  242. hard

    In the 1990 World Cup quarter-final, Argentina beat which nation 3-2 on penalties after a goalless draw — despite Maradona missing his spot-kick?

    WhyArgentina then beat hosts Italy in the SF (1-1, won 4-3 on pens at Naples) before losing the final 1-0 to West Germany.

  243. easy

    Which teenager scored twice in four minutes against Argentina in the 2018 World Cup round of 16 — and went on to net in the final at 19?

    WhyMbappe scored 4 goals in 2018 — one in the group stage, a brace against Argentina in the round of 16, and one in the final against Croatia.

  244. easy

    Whose mesmerising dribble past Croatia's Joško Gvardiol, and cut-back for Julián Álvarez, sealed Argentina's 3-0 win in the 2022 World Cup semi-final?

    WhyThe 34-year-old had earlier scored from the penalty spot. Álvarez (21) scored a brace including a brilliant solo run; Argentina booked the final against France.

  245. hard

    Which Italian manager guided his team to two consecutive World Cup titles in 1934 and 1938?

    WhyPozzo led Italy to Olympic gold at Berlin 1936 between his 1934 and 1938 World Cup triumphs — an extraordinary treble, and no other manager had won two World Cups as of the 2022 tournament.

  246. easy

    Virgil van Dijk won the 2019 Champions League with which Premier League club?

    WhyVirgil van Dijk won the 2019 Champions League final with Liverpool, who beat Tottenham 2-0.

  247. easy

    Argentina's 2021 Copa América final win came against which country?

    WhyÁngel Di María scored the only goal as Argentina beat hosts Brazil 1-0 at the Maracanã in the 2021 Copa América final.

  248. hard

    How many goals did the top scorer Sandor Kocsis score at the 1954 World Cup?

    WhySandor Kocsis of the Mighty Magyars hit 11 in 1954 — still the most by anyone in a single World Cup since.

  249. easy

    Which player scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina?

    WhyMbappe's hat-trick made him only the second player after Geoff Hurst to score three in a World Cup final.

  250. easy

    Which tournament did the USA host on its own in 1994 — before its 2026 co-hosting role with Canada and Mexico?

    WhyUSA 1994 set the average-attendance World Cup record (~69,000/game) and helped birth MLS two years later.

  251. hard

    Which European country has reached the most World Cup finals — three — without ever winning the tournament?

    WhyThe Dutch fell to hosts West Germany in 1974 and hosts Argentina in 1978, then to Iniesta's extra-time winner for Spain in 2010 — three finals, three defeats.

  252. easy

    Which North African nation knocked out Spain 3-0 on penalties in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup — en route to becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final?

    WhyMadrid-born Achraf Hakimi scored the decisive Panenka penalty in Doha after a 0-0 draw. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved two Spanish penalties; Spain missed all three they took.

  253. easy

    Eusébio won the Golden Boot at which World Cup, scoring nine goals including four in one quarter-final comeback?

    WhyEusébio's nine goals at the 1966 World Cup in England — four of them against North Korea — carried Portugal to third place.

  254. hard

    Which player came on as a substitute and scored twice for Germany vs Brazil in the 7-1 game?

    WhyAndré Schürrle struck Germany's sixth and seventh goals in Belo Horizonte after they had already led 5-0 inside half an hour; Oscar's late strike was Brazil's only reply in the 2014 semi-final.

  255. easy

    Who scored in four different World Cups between 2002 and 2014 — the all-time World Cup top scorer with 16 goals?

    WhyThe Poland-born striker surpassed Ronaldo's record of 15 in Germany's 7-1 semi-final demolition of Brazil.

  256. easy

    Which Colombian playmaker won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup with 6 goals?

    WhyJames's stunning chest-and-volley goal vs Uruguay also won the Puskás Award that year.

  257. hard

    Which country has appeared in the most World Cup tournaments without ever winning it?

    WhyMexico have reached 18 World Cups without lifting the trophy — and famously exited in the round of 16 seven tournaments running.

  258. easy

    Italy failed to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Which nation eliminated them in the November 2017 European qualifying play-off for the 2018 tournament?

    WhySweden won the November 2017 play-off 1-0 on aggregate — Johansson scoring in Stockholm.

  259. easy

    Who scored France's 4th goal in the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia — becoming the second teenager to score in a World Cup final after Pelé in 1958?

    WhyHe was 19 years and 207 days old at the time. The other France goals came from a Mandžukić own goal, a Griezmann penalty and a Pogba strike; Mbappé won the Best Young Player award.

  260. hard

    Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Dominik Livaković saved three penalties in a 2022 World Cup shootout against which team?

    WhyLivaković denied three Japanese takers in the round-of-16 shootout in Qatar to send Croatia through.

  261. easy

    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?

    WhyCroatia won two penalty shootouts on the way — against Denmark in the round of 16 and hosts Russia in the quarter-final — then beat England 2-1 after extra time in the semi-final to reach Moscow.

  262. easy

    Which country won the 2010 World Cup?

    WhySpain beat Netherlands 1-0 in Johannesburg with Iniesta's extra-time winner.

  263. hard

    USA co-hosted the 2026 World Cup — who is their MOST capped men's international player of all time — with 164 appearances?

    WhyA USA wide midfielder who became an LA Galaxy legend (the club's only retired number), edging out Landon Donovan's tally.

  264. easy

    Which club did Alphonso Davies win the 2020 Champions League treble with?

    WhyAlphonso Davies won the 2020 Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal treble with Bayern Munich.

  265. easy

    How many teams competed at the 2026 World Cup — the first under an expanded format co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico?

    WhyThis marked a jump from the 32-team format used since 1998 and meant 104 matches across 16 host cities, with the knockout stage beginning with a Round of 32.

  266. hard

    Which World Cup produced the highest number of goals in tournament history — averaging 5.38 per game?

    WhySwitzerland 1954 served up 140 goals in just 26 matches — the hosts' quarter-final against Austria alone finished 7-5, and Hungary put eight past West Germany in the group stage.

  267. easy

    Which country hosted a men's World Cup for the first time ever in 2026, alongside the United States and Mexico?

    WhyCanada hosted the men's WC for the first time in 2026, even though they played as a team in Mexico 1986. Only Toronto and Vancouver hosted matches in Canada.

  268. easy

    Which Australian goalkeeper captained the Socceroos at the 2022 World Cup, leading them to the knockouts?

    WhyMaty Ryan captained Australia at Qatar 2022 — they beat Tunisia 1-0 and Denmark 1-0 to reach the R16 (lost 2-1 to Argentina).

  269. hard

    Cape Verde are making their World Cup debut in 2026 — approximately how large is their population?

    WhyAround half a million people — Cape Verde became one of the smallest nations ever to reach a World Cup.

  270. easy

    Which Brazil manager resigned after the 2022 World Cup quarter-final loss to Croatia on penalties?

    WhyAdenor Leonardo Bacchi 'Tite' had managed Brazil since 2016. Croatia won 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

  271. easy

    Who won the World Cup Golden Boot in 2018 with 6 goals?

    WhyKane's 6 goals edged Griezmann, Mbappé and Lukaku, who all finished on 4.

  272. hard

    Who scored the fastest hat-trick at a World Cup — three goals in 7 minutes for Hungary vs El Salvador in 1982?

    WhyKiss came off the bench and struck in the 69th, 72nd and 76th minutes — the first substitute to score a World Cup hat-trick — as Hungary won 10-1, the first double-figure scoreline in World Cup history.

  273. easy

    Which country hosted the very first African World Cup in 2010?

    WhyHeld south of the equator — the first WC south of it since Argentina '78.

  274. easy

    Who scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina — a left-foot volley in the 113th minute at the Maracanã?

    WhyGötze came on as a substitute in the 88th minute and scored the only goal of the game at 113' — chested down an André Schürrle cross and volleyed past Romero. Germany won 1-0.

  275. hard

    How many goals were scored in total at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — a record for a 32-team tournament?

    Why172 goals were scored at the 2022 WC (2.69/game), a record for a 32-team WC. France scored 16, Argentina 15.

  276. easy

    Which World Cup was the first to be jointly hosted by two nations?

    WhyBrazil lifted the trophy here — Ronaldo R9's redemption after 1998.

  277. easy

    In what year did Pelé make his World Cup debut and become the youngest WC scorer?

    WhyPelé was 17 at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, where Brazil won their first title. He scored a hat-trick in the semi-final.

  278. hard

    How many goals did Italy score on their run to the 1994 World Cup final — a low total for a finalist?

    WhyRoberto Baggio scored 5 of them, all in the knockout rounds against Nigeria, Spain and Bulgaria.

  279. easy

    Which Croatian midfielder won the 2018 Ballon d'Or after captaining Croatia to the World Cup final?

    WhyModrić broke the Messi/Ronaldo duopoly that year. Croatia lost the final 4-2 to France.

  280. easy

    Which nation became the first World Cup host ever to lose all three of its group-stage matches?

    WhyThe Gulf hosts fell 2-0 to Ecuador in the opener, 3-1 to Senegal, then 2-0 to the Netherlands.

  281. hard

    Which Italian keeper went a then-record 517 minutes without conceding at Italia '90, before Caniggia finally beat him in the semi-final?

    WhyThe Inter Milan keeper's five-game shutout streak — Austria, USA, Czechoslovakia, Uruguay, Ireland — stood as the World Cup record for 36 years, until Spain's Unai Simón surpassed it at the 2026 tournament.

  282. easy

    Alexis Mac Allister left Brighton in 2023 to join which club?

    WhyThe Argentina World Cup winner moved to Anfield.

  283. easy

    Which West Ham player captained England to victory in the 1966 World Cup?

    WhyBobby Moore, West Ham's long-serving captain, lifted the Jules Rimet trophy for England in 1966.

  284. hard

    Russia's Oleg Salenko scored five goals in a single World Cup match in 1994 — a record that still stands. Which country did he score them against?

    WhyRussia won the match 6-1. Salenko shared the Golden Boot with Bulgaria's Hristo Stoichkov.

  285. easy

    As of the 2022 World Cup, who was the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals?

    WhyKlose overtook Brazil's Ronaldo (15) mid-tournament in 2014. His 16 goals stood as the record entering the 2026 finals.

  286. easy

    Cristiano Ronaldo, who began his career at Sporting, made his World Cup debut at which tournament?

    WhyRonaldo, a Sporting academy graduate, first played at a World Cup for Portugal in 2006.

  287. hard

    What shirt number did Bobby Charlton wear for England at the 1966 World Cup — scoring twice against Portugal in the semi-final?

    WhyThe Manchester United midfielder wore it throughout England's triumphant campaign, in an era when numbers were still assigned by position rather than by player.

  288. easy

    Which Argentina goalkeeper saved Kingsley Coman's spot-kick in the 2022 World Cup final shoot-out against France — winning the Golden Glove after earlier saving two penalties against the Netherlands in the quarter-final?

    WhyThe Aston Villa keeper also made a crucial last-gasp save from Kolo Muani at the end of extra time (120+3').

  289. easy

    Who scored the legendary 'impossible' bending free kick from 35+ metres out for Brazil against France in 1997 — defying the laws of physics?

    WhyLe Tournoi de France, 3 June 1997. Roberto Carlos struck it so hard and with so much spin that the ball bent back inside the post, leaving Fabien Barthez motionless.

  290. hard

    Which German became the youngest player to appear for Germany at the 2022 World Cup, aged 18?

    WhyYoussoufa Moukoko, who turned 18 during the tournament, became Germany's youngest World Cup player.

  291. easy

    Each 2026 World Cup group had how many teams — same as previous tournaments?

    Why2026 expands to 48 teams across 12 groups, but the per-group size is unchanged from recent tournaments.

  292. easy

    South Korea captain Son Heung-min spent a decade at which Premier League club before moving to MLS in 2025?

    WhySon joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and left for LAFC in summer 2025 in an MLS-record deal.

  293. hard

    Which Germany goalkeeper saved two penalties in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final shootout against Argentina?

    WhyJens Lehmann saved from Ayala and Cambiasso in Berlin, consulting a crumpled note on the Argentine takers' habits tucked into his sock — Germany won the shootout 4-2.

  294. easy

    Which West Ham forward scored a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final?

    WhyGeoff Hurst scored three times as England won 4-2, a feat unmatched in a men's World Cup final.

  295. easy

    Algeria qualified for the 2026 World Cup — which famous Algerian winger played in the Premier League for Leicester and Manchester City before moving to Saudi Arabia?

    WhyRiyad Mahrez won the PL with both Leicester (2016) and Man City (multiple). He moved to Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia in 2023. He never played in La Liga.

  296. hard

    At the 2006 World Cup, how many goals were scored in total across the 64 matches?

    WhyThat works out at just 2.3 per match, making 2006 one of the lowest-scoring World Cups — Miroslav Klose's five goals were enough to win the Golden Boot.

  297. easy

    David Beckham scored England's winning goal against Argentina at the 2002 World Cup — how did he score?

    WhySapporo, 7 June 2002.

  298. easy

    Which 2022 World Cup match was the final, finishing 3-3 before Argentina won on penalties?

    WhyArgentina 3-3 France (4-2 pens) at Lusail — Messi scored twice, Mbappé a hat-trick.

  299. hard

    Who was the first player to score a goal directly from a corner kick in a World Cup match?

    WhyMarcos Coll's corner curled straight past Lev Yashin in 1962 — the only Olympic goal in World Cup history, against the great keeper of all.

  300. easy

    Which legendary US goalkeeper made a record 16 saves in a single 2014 World Cup match against Belgium?

    WhyTim Howard's 16 saves in the R16 vs Belgium remains a World Cup record. Belgium still won 2-1 in extra time.

  301. easy

    Diego Maradona, who once played for Sevilla, represented which national team?

    WhyMaradona was the legendary captain of Argentina, whom he led to the 1986 World Cup.

  302. hard

    In a 1947 international, the Italy national team fielded an extraordinary number of Torino players in a single match. How many?

    WhyAgainst Hungary in May 1947, Italy coach Vittorio Pozzo picked ten Grande Torino players — a record for one club in the Azzurri.

  303. easy

    Which club did Pedri join in 2020 from Las Palmas, and which national team does he represent?

    WhyPedri joined Barcelona in 2020 and made his senior debut for Spain in 2021.

  304. easy

    Which striker won the 2006 World Cup with Italy while playing his club football for Fiorentina?

    WhyLuca Toni, Fiorentina's centre-forward at the time, was part of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad.

  305. hard

    The 'Battle of Santiago' in 1962 saw two players sent off and police on the pitch — between which nations?

    WhyChile against Italy in 1962: two red cards, a broken nose from a punch the referee missed, and police entering the pitch four times.

  306. easy

    Which Portugal captain scored a hat-trick against Spain in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup — including a last-minute free-kick equaliser?

    WhyAt 33 years 130 days, the Portuguese captain became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick.

  307. easy

    Which Inter Milan defender was famously involved in the incident that got Zinedine Zidane sent off in the 2006 World Cup final?

    WhyMaterazzi's verbal exchange provoked the infamous headbutt; the abrasive Inter centre-back was a divisive but beloved Nerazzurri warrior who also scored Italy's equaliser that night.

  308. hard

    The 1930 World Cup was held in Uruguay — how many countries participated?

    WhyJust four European sides — France, Belgium, Romania and Yugoslavia — made the long boat journey to Montevideo, where hosts Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the final at the Estadio Centenario.

  309. easy

    Argentina won the 2022 World Cup — how many times had they won the World Cup in total, counting that title?

    WhyTheir first two came in 1978 and 1986, with the Messi-led win over France in Qatar adding the latest.

  310. easy

    Two years before joining Lazio, Paul Gascoigne became a global star at which World Cup?

    WhyGazza's tears and talent at Italia '90 made him a phenomenon; Lazio brought him to Rome in 1992.

  311. hard

    Which country knocked out Brazil in the 1966 World Cup group stage — a massive shock?

    WhyPortugal won 3-1 with two from Eusebio while Pele was kicked out of the tournament — the holders went home in the group stage.

  312. easy

    Which country stunned Brazil 2-1 in the 1950 World Cup's decisive deciding match at the Maracanã?

    WhyThe 'Maracanazo' shocked 199,854 spectators as Alcides Ghiggia scored the winner for Uruguay in front of stunned Brazilian fans.

  313. easy

    The 1986 World Cup Hand of God goal was scored against which team?

    WhyMaradona handled the ball into the net against England in the quarter-final in Mexico City.

  314. hard

    How many host cities did the 2026 World Cup use across the three host nations?

    WhyThe 16 cities split 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada, with the 2026 final staged at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

  315. easy

    Which Fiorentina striker scored hat-tricks at two different World Cups (1994 and 1998)?

    WhyAs a Fiorentina player, Batistuta hit a hat-trick against Greece in 1994 and against Jamaica in 1998.

  316. easy

    What was the name of the official mascot of the 1966 World Cup in England?

    WhyHe was a lion draped in a Union Jack jersey, the first official mascot in the tournament's history.

  317. hard

    Basel striker Josef Hügi scored a hat-trick in Switzerland's 7-5 defeat in the 1954 World Cup quarter-final against which country?

    WhyIn searing heat at Lausanne, Switzerland led 3-0 before Austria won 7-5 — Hügi's hat-trick came in a losing side.

  318. easy

    Which Serie A club did USMNT star Christian Pulisic join from Chelsea in 2023?

    WhyPulisic joined AC Milan from Chelsea in summer 2023.

  319. easy

    Sir Bobby Robson later became manager of which national team?

    WhyHe guided this side to a World Cup semi-final in 1990.

  320. hard

    At which World Cup was Robert Prosinečki, then of Red Star, named the tournament's Best Young Player?

    WhyHe won the Best Young Player award at Italia '90 while starring for Yugoslavia.

  321. easy

    Which country stunned defending champions France 1-0 in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup, with Papa Bouba Diop scoring the only goal?

    WhyTournament debutants Senegal beat France in Seoul on 31 May 2002, sparking one of the biggest shocks in WC history.

  322. easy

    Who managed England to their only World Cup title in 1966?

    WhySir Alf Ramsey's Wingless Wonders beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley.

  323. hard

    Who scored both extra-time goals for Cameroon in their 2-1 round-of-16 win over Colombia at the 1990 World Cup?

    Why38-year-old Roger Milla scored at 106' and 109' off the bench — including a memorable goal where he dribbled the ball off the dawdling Higuita.

  324. easy

    Which 17-year-old scored a hat-trick in the 1958 World Cup semi-final against France and two goals in the final against Sweden?

    WhyBrazil won the trophy without ever playing a third-place match — they dispatched France 5-2 in the semi before beating the hosts 5-2 in Stockholm.

  325. easy

    Who scored 4 goals for England at the 1966 World Cup — including the only hat-trick in a World Cup final?

    WhyPortugal's Eusébio was the tournament's Golden Boot winner with 9 goals; Hurst's treble at Wembley sealed England's only World Cup.

  326. hard

    Who scored the 94th-minute winning goal for Belgium in their dramatic 3-2 World Cup 2018 round of 16 comeback against Japan — after Belgium had trailed 2-0?

    WhyThe former Tottenham winger finished off a 10-second counter-attack that started from a Japan corner — Courtois rolled out to De Bruyne, who set up Meunier to cross, and Lukaku dummied for the goalscorer to tap in.

  327. easy

    How many World Cups had Germany won (including as West Germany) up to and including the 2014 tournament?

    WhyWest Germany won in 1954, 1974 and 1990, and Germany won in 2014 - four titles through the 2014 tournament.

  328. easy

    Which country won the 2026 World Cup?

    WhyIt was their second title, sixteen years after their first.

  329. hard

    Which goalkeeper, a title-winner with Athletic Bilbao in the 1980s, went on to play at four World Cups for Spain (1986, 1990, 1994, 1998)?

    WhyAndoni Zubizarreta began his career in Athletic's goal before a long international career as Spain's number one.

  330. easy

    Who won the Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup?

    WhyHe became the only man to have won the award twice.

  331. easy

    Which country knocked England out of the 2026 World Cup?

    WhyA 2-1 semi-final defeat, settled in stoppage time.

  332. hard

    Eusébio scored 9 goals at the 1966 World Cup — how many of those came against one opponent in the quarter-final?

    WhyNorth Korea, the tournament's shock package, led 3-0 inside 25 minutes at Goodison Park before Eusébio's four goals — two from the penalty spot — dragged Portugal back to a 5-3 win. His nine goals made him the tournament's top scorer.

  333. easy

    Who was England's manager at the 2026 World Cup?

    WhyA German, and a former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss.

  334. hard

    Which World Cup saw the MOST red cards in total — with 28 sent off in 64 matches?

    WhyThe 2006 WC in Germany saw 28 red cards in 64 matches (0.44/game) — an all-time record. Highlighted by Portugal-Netherlands R16 (4 reds, 'Battle of Nuremberg').

  335. hard

    Who scored the only goal for Argentina in the 2021 Copa América final vs Brazil?

    WhyDi María scored in the 22nd minute at the Maracanã to win Argentina the 2021 Copa América 1-0.

  336. hard

    The fastest World Cup red card ever — in just 56 seconds — was received by which player?

    WhyUruguay's Jose Batista scythed down Gordon Strachan after 56 seconds against Scotland in 1986 — the fastest red card in World Cup history.

  337. hard

    Who scored a famous diving header to beat defending champions Germany 2-1 in the 1994 World Cup quarter-final — Bulgaria's most iconic moment?

    WhyStoichkov equalised from a free kick, then Letchkov dived to power a header past Bodo Illgner three minutes later. Bulgaria advanced to the semi-finals (lost 2-1 to Italy).

  338. hard

    How many goals were scored across the 1994 World Cup — the first held in the USA?

    Why52 matches were played, averaging 2.71 goals per game — a rise from 1990's record-low 2.21 that prompted the back-pass rule change.

  339. hard

    Italy's 2006 World Cup winning squad had how many of its 23 players based in Serie A?

    WhyEvery 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.

  340. hard

    Which goalkeeper went a record 517 minutes without conceding at a single World Cup — for Italy in 1990?

    WhyWalter Zenga went 517 minutes unbeaten at Italy 90 — a record. Ended when Caniggia scored for Argentina in SF (Italy lost on pens).

  341. hard

    Which European nation reached the 2026 World Cup via the UEFA playoffs, returning to a major tournament after 12 years — having knocked out Italy on penalties?

    WhyBosnia and Herzegovina qualified for 2026 by beating Italy on penalties in the UEFA playoff final — their second ever World Cup appearance after 2014.

  342. hard

    Which country withdrew from the 1938 World Cup in protest at their absorption by Germany?

    WhyAustria had qualified, but the Anschluss of March 1938 saw them absorbed into the German team; their scheduled opponents Sweden received a bye, and star Matthias Sindelar refused to play for Germany.

  343. hard

    How many Copa América titles had Argentina won before their 2021 triumph?

    WhyÁngel Di María's chipped winner beat Brazil 1-0 at the Maracanã in 2021, ending Argentina's 28-year trophy drought and drawing them level with Uruguay's then-record 15 titles.

  344. hard

    Did any of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad go on to win a World Cup as a manager?

    WhyThough many of the 1966 squad managed clubs, none ever won a World Cup as head coach.

  345. hard

    Which referee controversially disallowed a clear England goal in the 2010 World Cup vs Germany?

    WhyFrank Lampard's shot struck the crossbar and bounced down clearly over the line in Bloemfontein, but the Uruguayan official waved play on and Germany won 4-1 — an incident that hastened the introduction of goal-line technology.

  346. hard

    In what year did Morocco first qualify for the World Cup?

    WhyMorocco qualified for Mexico 1970, and at the 1986 World Cup became the first African nation to advance past the group stage.

  347. hard

    Which German midfielder scored in two different World Cup finals — the 1974 win over the Netherlands and the 1982 loss to Italy?

    WhyBreitner converted a penalty in the 1974 final and scored West Germany's only goal in the 1982 defeat to Italy.

  348. hard

    Mexico's opening match of the 2026 World Cup was against which team at the Azteca?

    WhyA rematch of the 2010 opener in Johannesburg — and the Azteca's third World Cup opening match, a record no other stadium touches.

  349. hard

    Which country conceded just 2 goals in 7 games at the 1990 World Cup — a legendary defensive campaign, though they finished third?

    WhyWalter Zenga kept six clean sheets for the hosts before Maradona's Argentina knocked them out on penalties in the Naples semi-final.

  350. hard

    Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup — who eliminated them in the final match of the CAF playoffs, returning to the World Cup after 52 years?

    WhyDR Congo beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Nov 2025.

  351. hard

    Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 at the 2026 World Cup — extending their all-time record against the five-time champions to what? (still never beaten)

    WhyErling Haaland's late brace in New Jersey on 5 July 2026 sent Norway to their first World Cup quarter-final in 28 years — across five all-time meetings Norway have won 3 and drawn 2, and have still never lost to Brazil.

  352. hard

    Who scored the decisive penalty for Argentina vs France in the 2022 World Cup final shootout?

    WhyMontiel's extra-time handball had gifted Mbappé his hat-trick penalty — then the same man buried Argentina's fourth kick to win the shootout 4-2 after a 3-3 epic.

  353. hard

    How many goals did Italy score in winning the 1982 World Cup — including Paolo Rossi's six?

    WhyItaly scraped through the group with three draws and just two goals, then caught fire: Rossi's hat-trick beat Brazil 3-2, and Tardelli's iconic scream came in the 3-1 final win over West Germany.

  354. hard

    The 2018 World Cup was the first to feature VAR — how many penalties did it produce across the tournament?

    WhyVAR reviews sent spot-kicks soaring past the previous World Cup record of 18 — Harry Kane converted three of them on his way to the 2018 Golden Boot with six goals.

  355. hard

    How many goals did Argentina score in their seven games to win the 1986 World Cup?

    WhyMaradona-inspired Argentina scored 14 across their seven matches at Mexico 1986.

  356. hard

    Who scored twice for Turkey in the 2002 World Cup third-place play-off victory over South Korea?

    Whyİlhan Mansız struck twice in the 3-2 win in Daegu, after Hakan Şükür had opened with the fastest goal in World Cup history — timed at 10.8 seconds and still unbeaten as of 2026.

  357. hard

    At the 2014 World Cup, who scored Brazil's consolation goal in the 7-1 semifinal loss to Germany?

    WhyOscar's 90th-minute run and finish was Brazil's only reply in Belo Horizonte — Germany had already led 5-0 inside half an hour of what became known as the Mineirazo.

  358. hard

    In which year did Morocco win their first African Cup of Nations?

    WhyMorocco's 1976 triumph in Ethiopia was their only AFCON until the current golden generation — decided by a final round-robin, not a final.

  359. hard

    The highest-scoring World Cup match ever produced 12 goals in 1954 — which two countries played it?

    WhyAustria came back from 3-0 down in Switzerland's 40°C heat to win 7-5 in the quarter-final, sparking heat-stroke tales that live on today.

  360. hard

    Who scored France's third goal in the 1998 World Cup final — in stoppage time as France beat Brazil 3-0?

    WhyPetit scored a 90+1 minute low finish assisted by Patrick Vieira. Zidane had already scored two headers in the first half.

  361. hard

    Which CONCACAF nation besides USA, Canada and Mexico has qualified for the most World Cups?

    WhyCosta Rica have qualified six times — the 2014 quarter-finalists are comfortably CONCACAF's fourth force behind the three 2026 hosts.

  362. hard

    Who scored Croatia's late equaliser in extra time vs Brazil at the 2022 World Cup, sending the quarter-final to penalties?

    WhyPetković tapped in via a Marquinhos deflection in the 117th minute. Croatia then won 4-2 on PKs.

  363. hard

    The first ever World Cup goal was scored by which player in 1930?

    WhyThe France forward struck in the 19th minute of a 4-1 win over Mexico on 13 July 1930, and was the last surviving member of that squad when France finally lifted the trophy in 1998.

  364. hard

    Which South American country reached a World Cup semi-final (third place in 1962) but has never played in a final?

    WhyHosts Chile finished third in 1962, their best ever, but have never reached a final.

  365. hard

    Portugal reached the Euro 2016 final having scored how many goals across their six pre-final matches — drawing all three group games and winning only ONE of those six in normal time?

    WhyGroup goals: 1 vs Iceland, 0 vs Austria, 3 vs Hungary. Knockout goals: 1 vs Croatia (ET), 1 vs Poland (pens), 2 vs Wales (SF). Total 8 in 6 matches — only the 2-0 Wales semi was won in 90 minutes.

  366. hard

    Which country did France beat 6-3 in the third-place play-off of the 1958 World Cup — with Just Fontaine scoring four goals?

    WhyFontaine finished with 13 goals — still a single-tournament World Cup record — after losing 5-2 to Brazil in the semi-final.

  367. hard

    Which nation refused to play Chile in a 1974 World Cup qualifying play-off — protesting that the match would be held in a stadium being used as a detention camp after Pinochet's coup?

    WhyAfter a 0-0 first leg in Moscow, the visitors refused to travel to Santiago, telling the authorities the Estadio Nacional was 'splashed with the blood of the Chilean patriots' — Chile took the field alone and walked the ball into an empty net.

  368. hard

    Which nation has the best World Cup win percentage of all time across all tournaments?

    WhyBrazil's five titles and 22 straight appearances give them the best win rate in World Cup history — the only nation to play at every finals.

  369. hard

    The 2018 World Cup final between France and Croatia — what was the score at half time?

    WhyFrance led 2-1 at the break through Mandzukic's own goal and Griezmann's penalty either side of Perisic's equaliser — it finished 4-2.

  370. hard

    Who assisted Ronaldo's iconic header goal vs Morocco at the 2018 World Cup?

    WhyBernardo Silva's short corner was worked to Moutinho, whose fourth-minute cross was met by Ronaldo's thumping header — the only goal of the game, and his 85th for Portugal, taking him past Ferenc Puskás as Europe's leading men's international scorer.

  371. hard

    Who scored Uruguay's winning goal in the 1950 Maracanazo, breaking Brazilian hearts?

    WhyGhiggia scored in the 79th minute. He later said: 'Only three people have, with just one motion, silenced the Maracaná: Frank Sinatra, Pope John Paul II and me.'

  372. hard

    Dennis Bergkamp scored a legendary first-touch and finish at the 1998 World Cup QF vs Argentina — what was the score when he took down Frank de Boer's pass in the 90th minute?

    WhyKluivert (12') gave Netherlands the lead; López (17') levelled at 1-1. Argentina's Ortega was sent off (87'); moments later Frank de Boer's long pass found Bergkamp, who took it down with one touch and finished to win it 2-1 in Marseille.

  373. hard

    USA hosted the 1994 World Cup — what was the approximate average attendance per game?

    WhyUSA 94 averaged nearly 69,000 a game — still the all-time World Cup attendance record, set before the country had a top league.

  374. hard

    What is the largest margin of victory ever recorded in a World Cup finals match?

    WhyHungary 10-1 El Salvador (1982) is the largest margin: 9 goals. Other lopsided results: Hungary 9-0 South Korea (1954), Yugoslavia 9-0 Zaire (1974), Uruguay 8-0 Bolivia (1950).

  375. hard

    How many World Cup goals did Diego Maradona score across the 1982, 1986 and 1990 tournaments?

    WhyTwo in 1982 (vs Hungary), five in 1986 (incl. both vs England), none in 1990 — total 7. His 8th and final WC goal came in 1994 vs Greece before his ban.

  376. hard

    In the 1954 World Cup semi-final, West Germany thrashed Austria 6-1 — which German captain scored two penalties to lead the way?

    WhySchäfer (31'), Morlock (47'), F. Walter pen (54'), O. Walter (64', 66') and F. Walter pen (89'). The Kaiserslautern captain led his side to the final — Miracle of Bern coming up.

  377. hard

    Tim Howard set the record for most saves in a single World Cup match in 2014 — how many?

    WhyHoward's 16-save heroics came in the last-16 clash with Belgium in Salvador — the USA still lost 2-1 in extra time to goals from De Bruyne and Lukaku.

  378. hard

    Robert Prosinečki was named best player of which tournament that Yugoslavia won in 1987?

    WhyHe was the standout as Yugoslavia won the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship.

  379. hard

    Pelé scored a hat-trick in the 1958 World Cup semi-final aged 17 — against which country?

    WhyBrazil beat France 5-2 in that 1958 semi-final, the teenager scoring three times; Pelé then struck twice more in the final as Brazil beat hosts Sweden 5-2 for their first World Cup.

  380. hard

    Which South Korea defender scored the 93rd-minute opener against Germany at the 2018 World Cup — confirmed by VAR after being initially ruled offside — that sparked the biggest shock of the tournament?

    WhyThe centre-back finished from a corner in the 90+3rd minute.

  381. hard

    Who scored England's 2-1 goal late in normal time of the 1966 World Cup final, before Hurst completed his hat-trick?

    WhyMartin Peters put England 2-1 up in the 78th minute before Hurst's extra-time double sealed a 4-2 win.

  382. hard

    How many goals did Kylian Mbappé score to claim the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot?

    WhyLionel Messi finished second on eight.

  383. hard

    Who was named Best Young Player at the 2026 World Cup?

    WhyA Barcelona defender, not a forward.

  384. hard

    What was the score when England beat France in the 2026 World Cup third-place play-off?

    WhyTen goals — the highest-scoring third-place match in World Cup history.

  385. hard

    How many goals were scored in total at the 2026 World Cup, a tournament record?

    WhyAn expanded 48-team field played 104 matches.

  386. hard

    With how many goals did Kylian Mbappé become the World Cup's all-time leading scorer in 2026?

    WhyHe passed the previous record during the third-place play-off.

  387. hard

    Neymar retired from international football after Brazil were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup by which country?

    WhyA 2-1 last-16 defeat to a European side playing at their first World Cup since 1998.

  388. hard

    When Neymar retired from international football in 2026, how many goals had he scored for Brazil?

    WhyHe had passed Pelé's tally of 77 some years earlier.

  389. hard

    Which of these nations made its World Cup debut at the 2026 tournament?

    WhyAn island nation off the coast of West Africa.

  390. hard

    Spain won the 2026 World Cup having conceded how many goals across the whole tournament?

    WhyNo previous World Cup winner had been this miserly.

What the World Cup quiz covers

Every question is written and checked by football fans — soccer, if you're reading this in the US — across the topics that decide a real World Cup expert:

Champions & title races

Every winner and the races that went down to the wire.

Players & legends

The stars and record-breakers who defined the World Cup.

Managers

The great bosses and the dynasties they built.

Trophies & records

Top scorers, appearances, transfers and all-time bests.

Famous matches

Iconic games, comebacks and unforgettable goals.

History & eras

Founding stories, golden eras and how it all evolved.

This is one set from a bank of thousands of questions spanning 72 clubs, every major league and eight decades of football.

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How the World Cup quiz is checked

Every question above was written by hand and verified before it went live.

Every World Cup question here was checked twice before publication — once against the claim the question makes, and once against the wrong answers offered beside it. A question whose wrong options can be dismissed without knowing any football is not really a question, so those get rewritten or dropped rather than padded out. Anything that could not be confirmed was removed rather than guessed, which is why some sets are smaller than others. Spot something wrong and tell us — corrections from players are how the bank stays accurate.

World Cup quiz — FAQ

Which country has won the most World Cups?
Brazil, with five titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002) — the only nation to play in every tournament and the most successful side in World Cup history.
Who won the 2026 World Cup?
Spain, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July 2026. Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute. It was Spain's second World Cup, sixteen years after their first, and they conceded just one goal in the whole tournament.
Who won the 2022 World Cup?
Argentina, beating France on penalties in Qatar after a 3-3 draw. Lionel Messi finally won the trophy, and Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick in the final yet still ended on the losing side.
How many teams played at the 2026 World Cup?
48 — the first expanded World Cup, up from 32. It ran to 104 matches across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and produced a record 308 goals.
Is the World Cup quiz free to play?
Yes. You can play the sample questions free in your browser with no sign-up, or download the Ball IQ app for the full World Cup question bank plus daily challenges.
How hard are the questions?
They range from easy (which country won 2010?) to hard (who scored in stoppage time of the 1998 final?). The quiz mixes difficulty so casual fans and obsessives both get a real test.
About the World Cup quiz

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest single-sport event on the planet, and almost a century of it gives you a lot to be quizzed on. This free World Cup quiz runs from the very first tournament — Uruguay 1930, won by the hosts — right through to 2026, when Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium to win their second title — Ferran Torres settling it in the 106th minute of the first 48-team World Cup, staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In between sit all the moments that define the competition. Brazil's golden era, with a 17-year-old Pelé announcing himself in 1958. England's only triumph, at Wembley in 1966. Diego Maradona's twin moments against England in 1986 — the Hand of God and then the goal of the century four minutes later. Zinedine Zidane's two headers to beat Brazil in 1998, and his red-card headbutt eight years later. Spain's tiki-taka peak in 2010, Germany's astonishing 7-1 demolition of Brazil on home soil in 2014, Kylian Mbappé's emergence as a teenager in 2018, and Messi finally getting his hands on the trophy in Qatar in 2022 after beating France on penalties. Then 2026: Spain conceding a single goal in the entire tournament, England beating France 6-4 in the highest-scoring third-place match the competition has ever seen, and Mbappé taking the Golden Boot for a second time on his way to becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer on 22.

The questions cover winners and hosts, top scorers and Golden Glove keepers, famous finals and infamous upsets. You'll get asked who scored France's third goal in the 1998 final, which goalkeeper saved Coman's penalty in the 2022 shoot-out, and how Croatia kept grinding their way to the 2018 final through three straight extra-time knockouts. Answers are graded easy to hard, so you can warm up on the obvious champions before the deep cuts about 1930s qualifying and stoppage-time third-place play-offs.

Every question below comes with a short explanation, so even when you miss one you pick up the detail that makes it stick. Play the sample set here for free, then jump into the full World Cup quiz in the app for hundreds more.

The World Cup set runs the full range — easy starters, a medium core, and hard questions a devoted fan has to think about.