World Cup History
World Cup history from Uruguay 1930 to the modern era: the Miracle of Bern, Mexico 1970, Spain 1982 and the wild story of the Jules Rimet trophy.
The Early Tournaments
Uruguay 1930: How the First World Cup Was Born
Thirteen teams, three of them from Europe, and a trophy named after a FIFA president. The first tournament set patterns the game still follows.
2026-08-30Classic Finals
Bern 1954: The Miracle That Rebuilt a Nation
Hungary had not lost in four years and led 2-0 after eight minutes. What happened in the next 82 minutes became a founding myth of post-war Germany.
2026-08-25The Modern Tournament
Mexico 1970: The World Cup That Modernised Football
Cards, substitutes, colour television and a heat-driven style revolution. The 1970 tournament looks like the first modern World Cup because it was.
2026-08-22Classic Tournaments
Spain 1982: Italy, Brazil and the Paolo Rossi Story
A striker banned for two years scored a hat-trick against the favourites, both goals in the semi and one in the final. Italy 1982 is his tournament.
2026-08-19The Trophy
Jules Rimet Trophy: Stolen Twice, Found by a Dog
The original World Cup trophy survived a world war in a shoebox but not a display cabinet in Rio. Its story is stranger than most finals.
2026-08-17