FIFA World Cup Trophy History and It's Speciamoment of victory Team-
The current format of the tournament involves 32 teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation(s) over a period of about a month – this phase is often called the World Cup Finals. A qualification phase, which currently takes place over the preceding three years, is used to determine which teams qualify for the tournament together with the host nation(s).
The 19 World Cup tournaments have been won by eight different national teams. Brazil have won five times, and they are the only team to have played in every tournament. The other World Cup winners are Italy, with four titles; Germany, with three titles; Argentina and inaugural winners Uruguay, with two titles each; and England, France, and Spain, with one title each.
The World Cup is the world's most widely viewed sporting event; an estimated 715.1 million people watched the final match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany.
The next three World Cups will be hosted by Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018, and Qatar in 2022.
| FIFA World Cup Trophy | |
|---|---|
 The current FIFA World Cup Trophy, awarded to the World Cup champions since 1974 This 15 inches tall trophy with the weight of almost 6 kg is made of 75 percent of 18 carat gold with an outer layer of malachite. This is a hollow sculpture of two human patterns, assumed athletes holding world in their hands that show the sign of victory. This isn’t the original trophy. The original trophy was the gold sculpture of the goddess of victory with an octagonal cup on her head, almost 14 inches high and 3.8 kg in weight, designed by Abel Lafleur. This was the first prize for the Uruguay in first football world cup ever in the history of football. This original trophy was initially named as ‘Victory’. Later, in 1946 it was officially named as ‘Jules Rimet Trophy’ in the honor of Jules Rimet, the FIFA President. FIFA World cup trophy for the year 2010 will be the 19th world cup trophy and the two teams, the Netherlands and Spain are looking forward to winning this beautiful trophy in the final on Sunday. At the end of our FIFA World cup Spain win this trophy by playing their very nice contribution. | |
| Awarded for | Winning the FIFA World Cup |
| Presented by | FIFA |
| First awarded | 1930 (Jules Rimet Trophy) 1974 (Current) |
| Currently held by |  Spain |
| Official website | FIFA.com |
| Most successful team |  Brazil (5 titles) |
|---|---|
The World Cup is a gold trophy that is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup. Since the advent of the World Cup in 1930, two trophies have represented victory: the Jules Rimet Trophy from 1930 to 1970, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy from 1974 to the present day.
The trophy, originally named Victory, but later renamed in honour of former FIFA president Jules Rimet, was made of gold plated sterling silver and lapis lazuli and depicted Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. Brazil won the trophy outright in 1970, prompting the commissioning of a replacement. The Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen in 1983 and never recovered.
The sequencing trophy, called "FIFA World Cup Trophy", was introduced in 1974. Made of 18 carat gold with a malachite base, it depicts two human figures holding up the Earth. The current holder of the trophy is Spain, winner of the 2010 World Cup.
Jules Rimet Trophy-
Replica of the Jules Rimet Trophy awarded to winners Uruguay in 1930
The Jules Rimet Trophy was the original prize for winning the Football World Cup. Originally called "Victory", but generally known simply as the World Cup or Coupe du Monde, it was officially renamed in 1946 to honour the FIFA President Jules Rimet who in 1929 passed a vote to initiate the competition. Designed by Abel Lafleur and made of solid gold on a blue base of lapis lazuli, it stood 35 centimetres (14 in) high and weighed 3.8 kilograms (8.4 lb). It comprised an octagonal cup, supported by a winged figure representing Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory. The Jules Rimet Trophy was taken to Uruguay for the first FIFA World Cup aboard the Conte Verde, which set sail from Villefranche-sur-Mer, just south of Nice, on 21 June 1930. This was the same ship that carried Jules Rimet and the footballers representing France, Romania and Belgium who were participating in the tournament that year. The first team to be awarded the trophy was Uruguay, the winners of the 1930 World Cup.
During World War II, the trophy was held by 1938 winners Italy. Ottorino Barassi, the Italian vice-president of FIFA and president of FIGC, secretly transported the trophy from a bank in Rome and hid it in a shoe-box under his bed to prevent the Nazis from taking it.
On 20 March 1966, four months before the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, the trophy was stolen during a public exhibition at Westminster Central Hall. The trophy was found just seven days later wrapped in newspaper at the bottom of a suburban garden hedge in Upper Norwood, South London, by a dog named Pickles.
As a security measure, The Football Association secretly manufactured a replica of the trophy for use in the post-match celebrations. The replica was also used on subsequent occasions until 1970. The replica was sold at an auction in 1997 for £254,500, when it was purchased by FIFA. The high auction price, several times the reserve price of £20,000-£30,000, led to speculation that the auctioned trophy was not a replica. Subsequent testing by FIFA confirmed the auctioned trophy was indeed a replica. Subsequent to the auction, FIFA arranged for the replica to be displayed at the English National Football Museum in Preston.
The Brazilian team won the tournament for the third time in 1970, allowing them to keep the real trophy in perpetuity, as had been stipulated by Jules Rimet in 1930. It was put on display at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro in a cabinet with a front of bullet-proof glass.
On 19 December 1983, the wooden rear of the cabinet was pried open with a crowbar and the cup was stolen again. Four men were tried and convicted in absentia for the crime. The trophy has never been recovered.
The Confederation commissioned a replica of their own, made by Eastman Kodak, using 1.8 kg (3.97 lb) of gold. This replica was presented to the Brazilian president in 1984.
Winners-
Jules Rimet Trophy-
Uruguay - 1930, 1950
Italy - 1934, 1938
West Germany - 1954
England - 1966
FIFA World Cup Trophy-
Argentina - 1978, 1986
Italy - 1982, 2006
France - 1998
| Country | Jules Rimet Trophy | FIFA World Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Italy | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Germany | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Uruguay | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Argentina | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| England | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Spain | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| France | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 9 | 10 | 19 |
South Africa 2010:
- Winner: Spain
- Runners-Up: Netherlands
- Third: Germany
- Fourth: Uruguay
- adidas Golden Ball: Diego FORLAN (URU)
- adidas Golden Shoe: Thomas MUELLER (GER)
- Best Young Player Award: Thomas MUELLER (GER)
- adidas Golden Glove: Iker CASILLAS (ESP)
- FIFA Fair Play award: Spain
Germany 2006:
- Winner: Italy
- Runners-Up: France
- Third: Germany
- Fourth: Portugal
- adidas Golden Ball: Zinedine ZIDANE (FRA)
- adidas Golden Shoe: Miroslav KLOSE (GER)
- Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Gianluigi BUFFON (ITA)
- Best Young Player Award: Lukas PODOLSKI (GER)
- FIFA Fair Play award: Spain,
- Brazil
- FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Portugal
Italy won their fourth world crown in Germany, beating France on penalties in Berlin. If Zinedine Zidane's red card was the Final's defining image, Italy's triumph would be remembered as a team effort with ten different Azzurri players finding the net. It was also a special month for Germany, the goals of Miroslav Klose helping secure third place in a tournament memorable for the festival mood across the host country.
Korea/Japan 2002:
- Winner: Brazil
- Runners-Up: Germany
- Third: Turkey
- Fourth: Korea Republic
- adidas Golden Ball: Oliver KAHN (GER)
- adidas Golden Shoe: RONALDO (BRA)
- Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Oliver KAHN (GER)
- Best Young Player Award: Landon DONOVAN (USA)
- FIFA Fair Play award: Belgium
- FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Korea Republic
Brazil became champions for the fifth time as top scorer Ronaldo exorcised the ghosts of 1998, scoring both goals in the Final against Germany. This was Asia's first FIFA World Cup™ and both host nations made history by reaching the knockout rounds – Korea Republic going as far as the last four. A tournament of surprises, it opened with France losing to Senegal and closed with Turkey third in the world.
France 1998:
- Winner: France
- Runners-Up: Brazil
- Third: Croatia
- Fourth: Netherlands
- adidas Golden Ball: RONALDO (BRA)
- adidas Golden Shoe: Davor SUKER (CRO)
- Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Fabien BARTHEZ (FRA)
- Best Young Player Award: Michael OWEN (ENG)
- FIFA Fair Play award: England,
- France
- FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: France
The home of tournament founder Jules Rimet, France enjoyed an unforgettable summer as its footballers finally tasted FIFA World Cup glory, Zinedine Zidane leading Les Bleus to victory over Brazil in the Final. France 98 was the first finals with an enlarged cast of 32 teams and among the newcomers were a Croatia side who, fired by the goals of top scorer Davor Suker, confounded expectations by finishing third.
USA 1994:
- Winner: Brazil
- Runners-Up: Italy
- Third: Sweden
- Fourth: Bulgaria
- adidas Golden Ball: ROMÁRIO (Romário de Souza Faria) (BRA)
- adidas Golden Shoe: Oleg SALENKO (RUS),
- Hristo STOICHKOV (BUL)
- Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Michel PREUDHOMME (BEL)
- Best Young Player Award: Marc OVERMARS (NED)
- FIFA Fair Play award: Brazil
- FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Brazil
The United States staged a hugely successful 15th FIFA World Cup that became the best attended in history and ended with Brazil celebrating their first world title since 1970. Forwards Romario and Bebeto were the Brazilians' star performers while Roberto Baggio shone equally brightly for Italy despite his penalty miss that concluded the first ever Final shoot-out. While Sweden finished third, the undoubted surprise package were their fellow semi-finalists Bulgaria.
Italy 1990:
- Winner: Germany FR
- Runners-Up: Argentina
- Third: Italy
- Fourth: England
- adidas Golden Ball: Salvatore SCHILLACI (ITA)
- adidas Golden Shoe: Salvatore SCHILLACI (ITA)
- Best Young Player Award: Robert PROSINECKI (CRO)
- FIFA Fair Play award: England
When Lothar Matthaus lifted the FIFA World Cup for Germany, it was an undoubted triumph for Franz Beckenbauer, who became only the second winner of the trophy as both player and coach. If low on goals, Italy 1990 was certainly high on drama – from the feats of Italy's top scorer Toto Schillaci via the tears of England's Paul Gascoigne to the historic run of Roger Milla's Cameroon to the quarter-finals.
Mexico 1986:
- Winner: Argentina
- Runners-Up: Germany FR
- Third: France
- Fourth: Belgium
- adidas Golden Ball: Diego MARADONA (ARG)
- adidas Golden Shoe: Gary LINEKER (ENG)
- Best Young Player Award: Enzo SCIFO (BEL)
- FIFA Fair Play award: Brazil
The FIFA World Cup™ returned to Mexico for a tournament marked by the mastery of Diego Maradona. Argentina overcame West Germany in an exciting Final but the defining match was a quarter-final against England featuring two of history's most famous goals: the 'Hand of God' followed by the dribble of a genius. Michel Platini's France again lost out in the semi-finals before beating surprise package Belgium to third place.
Spain 1982:
- Winner: Italy
- Runners-Up: Germany FR
- Third: Poland
- Fourth: France
- adidas Golden Ball: Paolo ROSSI (ITA)
- adidas Golden Shoe: Paolo ROSSI (ITA)
- Best Young Player Award: Manuel AMOROS (FRA)
- FIFA Fair Play award: Brazil
Paolo Rossi was the hero in Spain, his six goals propelling Italy to a third world crown. The Azzurri ran out 3-1 Final winners against a German team who had survived the competition's first penalty shoot-out in a dramatic semi-final against France. If Italy won gold, Brazil took a share of the glory for some scintillating football before succumbing to Rossi's hat-trick in the best game of this first 24-team finals.
Argentina 1978:
- Winner: Argentina
- Runners-Up: Netherlands
- Third: Brazil
- Fourth: Italy
- Golden Shoe: Mario KEMPES (ARG)
- Best Young Player Award: Antonio CABRINI (ITA)
- FIFA Fair Play award: Argentina
Hosts Argentina captured their first world title as the Netherlands suffered Final heartache for the second tournament running. Mario Kempes sealed Cesar Luis Menotti's side's triumph, scoring twice against the Dutch in the confetti-strewn cauldron of the Estadio Monumental to earn himself additional acclaim as top scorer. Brazil, denied a Final place by Argentina's 6-0 win over Peru, took third place from an enterprising Italy side.
Germany 1974:
- Winner: Germany FR
- Runners-Up: Netherlands
- Third: Poland
- Fourth: Brazil
- Golden Shoe: Grzegorz LATO (POL)
- Best Young Player Award: Wladyslaw ZMUDA (POL)
West Germany were champions on home soil - and as in 1954 their victory came at the expense of a team widely considered the world's finest. Johan Cruyff's Netherlands were favourites before the Final but the hosts, beaten earlier in their competition by their East German neighbours, recovered from a first-minute Dutch goal to win. It was also a memorable tournament for Poland whom Gregorz Lato fired to third place.
Mexico 1970:
- Winner: Brazil
- Runners-Up: Italy
- Third: Germany FR
- Fourth: Uruguay
- Golden Shoe: Gerd MUELLER (GER)
- Best Young Player Award: Teofilo CUBILLAS (PER)
For the first time the FIFA World Cup™ was broadcast in colour and nothing could match the brilliance of Brazil's yellow shirts. With Pele rejuvenated and Jairzinho scoring in every game, Mario Zagallo's men were unstoppable – they beat Italy handsomely in the Final and, with this third triumph, retained the Jules Rimet Cup. If Brazil's tournament, others brought plenty to the party – not least ten-goal German marksman Gerd Muller.
England 1966:
- Winner: England
- Runners-Up: Germany FR
- Third: Portugal
- Fourth: Soviet Union
- Golden Shoe: EUSEBIO (Eusebio da Silva Ferreira) (POR)
- Best Young Player Award: Franz BECKENBAUER (GER)
The country that invented football, England, finally found a formula for success on the world stage. Alf Ramsey's 'Wingless wonders' overcame Final opponents West Germany thanks to Geoff Hurst's historic hat-trick, though the debate over whether his middle strike crossed the line continues to this day. Eusebio was another scoring hero, his nine goals – four of them against Italy's surprise conquerors, Korea DPR – taking Portugal to third place.
Chile 1962:
- Winner: Brazil
- Runners-Up: Czechoslovakia
- Third: Chile
- Fourth: Yugoslavia
- Golden Shoe: Florian ALBERT (HUN),
- Valentin IVANOV (URS),
- Drazen JERKOVIC (YUG),
- Leonel SANCHEZ (CHI),
- VAVA (BRA),
- GARRINCHA (BRA)
- Best Young Player Award: Florian ALBERT (HUN)
Brazil were worthy winners, beating Czechoslovakia in the Final to retain their crown in a tournament that showcased the sublime skills of Garrincha. With Pele injured, Garrincha ensured his colleague's absence was not felt, inspiring the Seleção to victory and finishing joint-top scorer in the process. This FIFA World Cup featured plenty else, including new 4-3-3 tactics and the infamous 'Battle of Santiago' between hosts Chile and Italy.
Sweden 1958:
- Winner: Brazil
- Runners-Up: Sweden
- Third: France
- Fourth: Germany FR
- Golden Shoe: Just FONTAINE (FRA)
- Best Young Player Award: PELÉ (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) (BRA)
Brazil's love affair with the FIFA World Cup™ began in earnest as they won the world title for the first time. A 17-year-old Pele introduced his prodigious skills to the world in Sweden, epitomising the Brazilians' attacking flair and scoring six goals – two of them in the Final against the hosts. Third-placed France caught the eye too with Just Fontaine striking a record 13 goals.
Switzerland 1954:
- Winner: Germany FR
- Runners-Up: Hungary
- Third: Austria
- Fourth: Uruguay
- Golden Shoe: Sandor KOCSIS (HUN)
West Germany were surprise winners of the 1954 FIFA World Cup™, coming from two goals down to defeat Hungary in a Final forever remembered as the 'Miracle of Berne'. Hungary were unbeaten in 31 matches and scored 25 goals en route to the Final – eight of them against the Germans in the first round. Yet it was Fritz Walter, not Ferenc Puskas who picked up the Jules Rimet Cup.
Brazil 1950:
- Winner: Uruguay
- Runners-Up: Brazil
- Third: Sweden
- Fourth: Spain
- Golden Shoe: ADEMIR (BRA)
Brazil's determination to put on a show meant they built the world's biggest football stadium, the Maracana, for the 1950 FIFA World Cup™. Yet their dream of becoming the world's best died in that huge bowl, Uruguay capturing their second crown by beating the hosts in front of some 200,000 stunned spectators. It was not the only shock of a tournament where debutants England were humbled by the United States.
France 1938
- Winner: Italy
- Runners-Up: Hungary
- Third: Brazil
- Fourth: Sweden
- Golden Shoe: LEONIDAS (BRA)
Italy trainer Vittorio Pozzo made history by capturing a second successive title with a rebuilt team. With Silvio Piola's goals and Giuseppe Meazza's leadership, Italy beat Hungary in the Final having overcome in the semi-final a Brazil side missing top scorer Leonidas. Three of his strikes came in a 6-5 victory over Poland – the best match of a tournament notable for political tensions and the absence of some leading teams.
Italy 1934 :
- Winner: Italy
- Runners-Up: Czechoslovakia
- Third: Germany
- Fourth: Austria
- Golden Shoe: Oldrich NEJEDLY (TCH)
Italy delighted their passionate home support by coming from behind to beat Czechoslovakia in the first FIFA World Cup Final played on European soil. Angelo Schiavio scored the winning goal for the Azzurri, who had overcome the highly-rated Austrian Wunderteam in the semi-finals. It was a tournament missing holders Uruguay, whose refusal to take part made them the first and only champions not to defend their crown.
Uruguay 1930:
- Winner: Uruguay
- Runners-Up: Argentina
- Third: USA
- Fourth: Yugoslavia
- Golden Shoe: Guillermo STABILE (ARG)
FIFA President Jules Rimet's dream was realised as Uruguay hosted the inaugural FIFA World Cup in its centenary year. Only four European teams made the long sea journey and the Final was an all-South American affair, with Uruguay beating neighbours Argentina just as they had done in the 1928 Olympic final. Trailing at half-time, the hosts triumphed 4-2 in the newly built Estadio Centenario to become football's first world champions.
source-FIFA.com
FIFA World Cup Trophy-
FIFA World Cup Trophy on a German stamp
A replacement trophy was commissioned by FIFA for the 1974 World Cup. Fifty-three submissions were received from sculptors in seven countries. Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga was awarded the commission. The trophy stands 36.5 centimetres (14.4 inches) tall and is made of 5 kg (11 lb) of 18 carat (75%) gold with a base (13 centimetres [5.1 inches] in diameter) containing two layers of malachite. It has been asserted by Martyn Poliakoff that the trophy is hollow; if, as is claimed, it were solid, the trophy would weigh 70-80 kg and would be too heavy to lift. Produced by Bertoni, Milano, it weighs 6.175 kg (13.6 lb) in total and depicts two human figures holding up the Earth. Gazzaniga described the trophy thus, "The lines spring out from the base, rising in spirals, stretching out to receive the world. From the remarkable dynamic tensions of the compact body of the sculpture rise the figures of two athletes at the stirring moment of victory." It was first presented at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, to West German captain Franz Beckenbauer.
The trophy has the visible engravement "FIFA World Cup" in outpouring letters at its base. The name of the country whose national team wins each tournament is engraved in the bottom side of the trophy, and therefore is not visible when the trophy is standing upright. The text states the year in figures and the name of the winning nation in its national language, for example "— 1974 Deutschland" and "— 1994 Brasil". As of 2010, ten winners have been engraved on the base. It is not known whether FIFA will retire the trophy after all of the name plaques at the base are filled in; this will not occur until after the 2038 World Cup at the earliest. FIFA's regulations now state that the trophy, unlike its predecessor, cannot be won outright: the winners of the tournament receive a replica which is gold plated rather than solid gold.
Best Young Player Award - FIFA World Cup™ Final-
2010
Thomas MUELLER GF 5, ASS 3, MinP 473
2006
2002
Landon DONOVAN GF 2, ASS 0, MinP 434
1998
Michael OWEN GF 2, ASS 0, MinP 233
1994
Marc OVERMARS GF 0, ASS 0, MinP 319
1990
Robert PROSINECKI GF 1, ASS 0, MinP 167
1986
Enzo SCIFO GF 2, ASS 0, MinP 641
1982
Manuel AMOROS GF 0, ASS 0, MinP 480
1978
Antonio CABRINI GF 0, ASS 0, MinP 619
1974
Wladyslaw ZMUDA GF 0, ASS 0, MinP 630
1970
Teofilo CUBILLAS GF 5, ASS 0, MinP 360
1966
1962
Florian ALBERT GF 4, ASS 0, MinP 270
1958
PELÉ (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) GF 6, ASS 0, MinP 360
FIFA Awards For The Most Entertaining Team-
2006
- Portugal
2002
- Korea Republic
1998
- France
1994
- Brazil
"2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil" Destination-
- Belo Horizonte
- Brasilia
- Cuiaba
- Curitiba
- Fortaleza
- Manaus
- Natal
- Porto Alegre
- Recife
- Rio De Janeiro
- Salvador
- Sao Paulo
It’s the world’s most important sporting event. On 11th July, one team, one country, will get to hold the 36cm, 18 carat gold World Cup trophy high above their heads.
Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, who said he is not a diehard football fan himself but does watch the World Cup final to see his trophy raised, designed the current trophy in 1971. At the time, the trophy cost about US$50,000. Today, the trophy is worth over US$10 million.
“I didn't think it would become so important, particularly to young people, or that it would come to represent peace,” Gazzaniga said. “I'm very proud to have done my little bit to help spread peace in the world through sport. Sport brings people and nations together, and is much more important than many of us believe.”
Cash4Gold, the world’s number one gold buyer direct from the public, recently said that the trophy has almost doubled in melt value since the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The rise in the price of gold has meant that the melt value of the trophy has gone from US$96,476 to an astonishing US$187,761. Melt value is the amount of actual precious metal contained in an item that can be extracted and recycled by a company such as Cash4Gold, and does not account for decorative, artistic or historic value.
“Football trophies are obviously of more than monetary worth to fans and teams,” said Jeff Aronson, CEO and founder of Cash4Gold. “And Fifa would probably have something to say if Fabio Capelllo sent in the trophy to Cash4Gold should England win!”
Even though it is quite valuable, the trophy is also quite simple. The football, at the top of the trophy, is similar to the world, with the human figures emerging at the base supporting it.
The FIFA World Cup stands about 36 centimeters tall and is made of solid 18-carat gold. The statuette depicts two triumphant footballers holding up the earth in their raised hands, and is set atop a base of semi-precious malachite. Underneath the trophy are the engraved names and years of the winners of the World Cup Finals since 1974. The Cup cost approximately $50,000 to create; today, it is estimated to be worth over ten million dollars.
List of hosts-
| Year | Host |
|---|---|
| 1930 | Uruguay |
| 1934 | Italy |
| 1938 | France |
| 1942 | Cancelled due to World War II |
| 1946 | Cancelled due to World War II |
| 1950 | Brazil |
| 1954 |  Switzerland |
| 1958 |  Sweden |
| 1962 |  Chile |
| 1966 | England |
| 1970 |  Mexico |
| 1974 | West Germany |
| 1978 | Argentina |
| 1982 | Spain |
| 1986 | Mexico |
| 1990 | Italy |
| 1994 |  United States |
| 1998 | France |
| 2002 |  South Korea /  Japan |
| 2006 | Germany |
| 2010 |  South Africa |
| 2014 | Brazil |
| 2018 |  Russia |
| 2022 |  Qatar |
| 2026 |  Indonesia |
| 2030 | United States / Mexico |
Expansion to 32 teams-
The tournament was expanded to 24 teams in 1982, and then to 32 in 1998, allowing more teams from Africa, Asia and North America to take part. In recent years, teams from these regions have enjoyed more success, and those who have reached the quarter-finals include: Mexico, quarter-finalists in 1986; Cameroon, quarter-finalists in 1990; Korea Republic, finishing in fourth place in 2002; Senegal, along with USA, both quarter-finalists in 2002; and Ghana as quarter-finalists in 2010. Nevertheless, European and South American teams continue to dominate, e.g., the quarter-finalists in 1998 and 2006 were all from Europe or South America.
Two hundred teams entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds; 198 nations attempted to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, while a record 204 countries entered qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
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