FIFA fever: Fun facts about the World Cup you didn't know!
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 fast approaching, excitement is reaching new heights. People are looking forward to watching one of the most prestigious football events in the world, and this hype is not dying anytime soon. To kick things off and to add to the thrill, here are some fun and cool facts about the world’s biggest football tournament!
1. Brazil holds the most World Cup wins
Brazil is the most successful nation in FIFA World Cup history, having clinched the title five times: in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. This record sets Brazil apart as the only country to have won the tournament on four different continents: Europe (1958 in Sweden), South America (1962 in Chile), North America (1970 in Mexico and 1994 in the USA), and Asia (2002 in South Korea and Japan).
As Brazil prepares for the 2026 World Cup, the team is training harder than before as they aim to end their 24-year title drought and add another trophy to their impressive record. With a mix of experienced players and rising young talent, the squad is working on building stronger chemistry and sharper tactics.
2. The fastest FIFA World Cup goal was under 11 seconds
The fastest goal ever scored in a FIFA World Cup match happened under 11 seconds. Turkey’s Hakan Şükür scored it during the 2002 World Cup third-place playoff against South Korea. During the early game, South Korea made a defensive mistake, which Turkey used to score the iconic goal.
This is the quickest goal in World Cup history and remains undefeated. Before this feat, the record was held by Václav Mašek of Czechoslovakia, who scored in 16 seconds back in 1962. Interestingly, that goal was the only one Şükür scored in his World Cup career, making it even more legendary.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo is the first man to score in 5 different World Cups
Cristiano Ronaldo is the first to score in five different FIFA World Cups. He made history on November 24, 2022, when he scored a penalty against Ghana during Portugal’s opening match at the World Cup in Qatar. That goal added to his 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 scoring record.
Before Ronaldo, a few big names like Pelé, Miroslav Klose, and Lionel Messi had scored in four World Cups, but none had reached five. Guinness World Records officially recognised Ronaldo’s record.
4. A dog named Pickles found the lost 1966 World Cup trophy
Before the 1966 FIFA World Cup began, a thief broke into the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster, where the Jules Rimet Trophy was displayed. A week has passed, and the police cannot locate the missing trophy.
On a random morning, David Corbett walked his dog Pickles for a morning stroll. During this routine, Pickles went off the road and into the bushes to sniff an object wrapped in newspaper. This turned out to be the missing trophy. England won that year's FIFA World Cup, allowing the country to honour their football team and the hero dog.
5. The 2022 World Cup has the most goals among all World Cups
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar broke the record for the most scored goals in a single tournament—172 goals scored in 64 matches. This beat the previous record of 171 goals, which was held by both the 1998 World Cup in France and the 2014 edition in Brazil.
The final match between Argentina and France contributed a huge part to the final total. As the game played out, the two settled on an unforgettable 3-3 draw; however, Argentina won the round via penalties.
During the World Cup, fans saw an average of 2.68 goals per match, making it one of the most exciting and intense World Cups in history.
6. The last FIFA World Cup used a high-tech ball
The previous World Cup’s ball, made by Adidas, featured a connected ball technology in all matches. This smart ball contains a sensor designed and built by engineers, allowing the ball's position to be tracked at all times.
When a goal is scored, referees can verify if the ball has crossed the goal line and precisely when it happened. This information is immediately sent to the referee's smartwatches. The technology is accurate and instant, helping referees make quick, fair decisions. Football engineers have developed similar technological tools to assist referees in determining offside situations.
7. Qatar built the first demountable World Cup stadium
The 2022 World Cup’s stadium is considered the first stadium that can be built anytime. Qatar's Stadium 974, formerly Ras Abu Aboud, was constructed using 974 recycled shipping containers and a modular steel frame, allowing it to be entirely dismantled and reassembled elsewhere.
Stadium 974 hosted seven matches during the FIFA World Cup, up to the round of 16. Its smart design used natural air flow, which took away the need for air conditioning. The stadium also incorporated sustainable practices that reduced water usage by 40% compared to traditional stadiums.
Ready for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup?
These are some of the fun facts that you should know about the FIFA World Cup. It shows the rich history and culture of one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world. This also shows how others, like a dog, can contribute to the excitement that the World Cup brings.
From legendary players like Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup feats to Qatar building the very first modular stadium, the World Cup is filled with some of the greatest achievements and firsts. With the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, are you ready to witness newer heights and feats?
