101 Best World Cup Trivia Questions And Answers

The FIFA World Cup is more than just a football tournament; it’s a celebration of sport, culture, and human passion. Every four years, the world comes together to witness the pinnacle of global football as nations from all corners of the globe compete for the most prestigious trophy in the sport. Beyond the intense matches and unforgettable moments, the World Cup is also a treasure trove of fascinating trivia.

In this article, we will dive into some intriguing World Cup trivia questions and answers, exploring the rich history of the tournament, iconic players, memorable matches, and surprising facts that make the FIFA World Cup an event like no other.

Table of Contents

The History of the FIFA World Cup

The first FIFA World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay, marking the beginning of one of the most iconic sporting events in the world. The tournament was organized by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and contested by just 13 teams. Fast forward to the present, and the World Cup now features 32 teams from across the globe, with millions of fans watching the tournament live or on television.

From Brazil’s record five World Cup wins to Argentina’s unforgettable victory in 2022, the World Cup has been home to legendary performances, heart-stopping drama, and moments that fans will cherish forever. But it’s also home to trivia that reflects the fascinating stories behind these victories and defeats.

World Cup Trivia Questions and Answers

Here are 101 World Cup trivia questions categorized into General, History, Records, Players, Teams, Host Countries, Famous Moments, and Fun Facts:

General World Cup Trivia Questions and Answers

Question: In which year did the first FIFA World Cup take place?
Answer: 1930

Question: Who won the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: France

Question: Which country has won the most FIFA World Cups?
Answer: Brazil (5)

Question: What is the official mascot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Zakumi (a leopard)

Question: What country hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Qatar

Question: Which continent has hosted the FIFA World Cup the most times?
Answer: Europe

Question: How many teams participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: 32

Question: Which team won the first-ever World Cup in 1930?
Answer: Uruguay

Question: What is the name of the trophy awarded to the World Cup winners?
Answer: The Jules Rimet Trophy (until 1970), replaced by the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

Question: Which World Cup is considered the “first modern” World Cup, featuring the current competition format?
Answer: 1998

History World Cup Trivia Questions and Answers

Question: Who was the first player to score a goal in the World Cup?
Answer: Lucien Laurent (France, 1930)

Question: Who won the 1966 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: England

Question: In which year did Germany first win the FIFA World Cup?
Answer: 1954

Question: Which country hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: United States

Question: Which country won the World Cup in 1998?
Answer: France

Question: In which year did Argentina win their first World Cup?
Answer: 1978

Question: Who won the 2006 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Italy

Question: Which country hosted the 1982 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Spain

Question: Which World Cup was marred by the “Hand of God” goal?
Answer: 1986 (Mexico)

Question: Which nation hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: South Korea and Japan (first co-hosted World Cup)

Records World Cup Trivia Questions and Answers

Question: Who holds the record for most goals in a single World Cup tournament?
Answer: Just Fontaine (13 goals in 1958)

Question: Which player holds the record for most goals in World Cup history?
Answer: Miroslav Klose (16 goals)

Question: What is the largest margin of victory in a World Cup match?
Answer: Hungary defeated El Salvador 10-1 in 1982.

Question: Which country scored the most goals in a single World Cup tournament?
Answer: Hungary (27 goals in 1954)

Question: Which team has the most World Cup final appearances?
Answer: Germany (8 finals)

Question: Which player has made the most World Cup appearances?
Answer: Lothar Matthäus (25 matches)

Question: Which country has appeared in the most World Cup finals without winning the title?
Answer: Netherlands (3 times)

Question: Who holds the record for most goals in a World Cup final?
Answer: Geoff Hurst (England, 1966) with 3 goals

Question: What is the longest penalty shootout in World Cup history?
Answer: 1990, West Germany vs. Argentina, 4-3 (7 penalties total)

Question: Which World Cup match had the most goals?
Answer: Austria vs. Switzerland (7-5, 1954)

Players World Cup Trivia Questions and Answers

Question: Who is the youngest player to score in a World Cup match?
Answer: Pelé (17 years and 239 days in 1958)

Question: Which player is the all-time top scorer in World Cup history?
Answer: Miroslav Klose (16 goals)

Question: Which player won the Golden Ball award in the 2014 World Cup?
Answer: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Question: Who scored the winning goal in the 1998 World Cup final?
Answer: Emmanuel Petit (France)

Question: Who won the Golden Boot in the 2002 World Cup?
Answer: Ronaldo (Brazil, 8 goals)

Question: Who scored the “Hand of God” goal in 1986?
Answer: Diego Maradona (Argentina)

Question: Who was the top scorer in the 2018 World Cup?
Answer: Harry Kane (England, 6 goals)

Question: Which player has won the World Cup the most times?
Answer: Pelé (3 times – 1958, 1962, 1970)

Question: Who was the captain of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning team?
Answer: Fabio Cannavaro

Question: Who is the most capped player in World Cup history?
Answer: Lothar Matthäus (25 appearances)

Teams World Cup Trivia Questions and Answers

Question: Which team won the 1994 World Cup?
Answer: Brazil

Question: Which country has won the most World Cup titles in the 21st century?
Answer: Brazil (2002)

Question: Which team was the runner-up in the 2010 World Cup?
Answer: Netherlands

Question: Which country has made the most World Cup appearances without winning the tournament?
Answer: Mexico (16 appearances)

Question: Which team finished third in the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Belgium

Question: Which country finished fourth in the 2006 World Cup?
Answer: Germany

Question: Which country has the most consecutive World Cup appearances?
Answer: Brazil (22 appearances)

Question: Which African nation has had the best World Cup performance?
Answer: Cameroon (1990, quarterfinals)

Question: Which country was the host of the 2014 World Cup?
Answer: Brazil

Question: Which team won the 1950 World Cup?
Answer: Uruguay

Host Countries

Question: Which country has hosted the World Cup the most times?
Answer: Italy, France, and Mexico (2 times each)

Question: Which was the first country in the Middle East to host the World Cup?
Answer: Qatar (2022)

Question: What year did the United States host the World Cup?
Answer: 1994

Question: Which two countries co-hosted the 2002 World Cup?
Answer: South Korea and Japan

Question: Which country hosted the World Cup in 1970?
Answer: Mexico

Question: In which country was the first-ever World Cup held?
Answer: Uruguay

Question: Which country will host the 2026 World Cup?
Answer: United States, Canada, and Mexico

Question: Which country was the host for the 2010 World Cup?
Answer: South Africa

Question: Which country hosted the 1998 World Cup?
Answer: France

Question: Which country hosted the 1986 World Cup?
Answer: Mexico

Famous Moments

Question: In which World Cup did Maradona score his famous “Hand of God” goal?
Answer: 1986

Question: Which World Cup featured the “Miracle of Bern” when West Germany won?
Answer: 1954

Question: In which World Cup did Zidane score two headers in the final?
Answer: 1998

Question: Who won the 2010 World Cup final?
Answer: Spain

Question: What famous event occurred during the 1994 World Cup’s Round of 16 involving Roberto Baggio?
Answer: He missed the decisive penalty in the shootout against Brazil.

Question: Which country shocked the world by defeating Brazil 7-1 in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals?
Answer: Germany

Question: What was the result of the 1970 World Cup final?
Answer: Brazil defeated Italy 4-1

Question: In which World Cup did Pelé score his first goal?
Answer: 1958

Question: Who scored the winning goal in the 1990 World Cup final?
Answer: Andreas Brehme (Germany)

Question: Which World Cup featured the first-ever penalty shootout?
Answer: 1990

Fun Facts World Cup Trivia Questions and Answers

Question: Who is the only player to have played in five different World Cups?
Answer: Rafael Márquez (Mexico)

Question: Which country was the first to win a World Cup outside of Europe or South America?
Answer: United States (1994)

Question: Which World Cup was the first to feature a live televised final?
Answer: 1954

Question: Which country was the first to win the World Cup after World War II?
Answer: Brazil (1958)

Question: Which country reached the 2022 World Cup final for the first time in its history?
Answer: Croatia

Question: Which World Cup saw the introduction of the Golden Goal rule?
Answer: 1998

Question: Who is the oldest player to score in a World Cup match?
Answer: Roger Milla (Cameroon, 42 years old in 1994)

Question: Which country was the first to win the World Cup three times?
Answer: Brazil (1970)

Question: Which World Cup was the first to use VAR (Video Assistant Referee)?
Answer: 2018

Question: Which country had the most yellow cards in a single World Cup?
Answer: Netherlands (2010)

Bonus Questions

Question: Which team won the first Women’s World Cup?
Answer: United States (1991)

Question: Who was the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot?
Answer: Just Fontaine

Question: Who won the first-ever Women’s World Cup Golden Boot?
Answer: Michelle Akers (USA)

Question: What is the only country to win the World Cup while being the host nation?
Answer: Italy (1934)

Question: Which team won the 2006 World Cup final in a penalty shootout?
Answer: Italy

Question: What was the final score of the 1994 World Cup final?
Answer: Brazil 0-0 Italy (Brazil won 3-2 on penalties)

Question: Which player holds the record for most assists in World Cup history?
Answer: Pelé (10 assists)

Question: Which country won the first Women’s Olympic Football tournament?
Answer: United States (1996)

Question: In which year did the Women’s World Cup change from a biennial to a quadrennial competition?
Answer: 1999

Question: Who was the oldest player in the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: 44-year-old Kamran S. (Iran)

The Impact of Iconic Players and Their Moments

Throughout the years, the FIFA World Cup has been a stage for the world’s greatest footballers to showcase their talents. These players have made history with their performances and inspired countless generations of football fans. Let’s look at some key moments that have shaped the tournament’s legacy.

Pelé’s Legendary Debut

Pelé’s World Cup debut in 1958 was nothing short of magical. At just 17 years old, he scored a hat-trick in the semifinal against France and two goals in the final against Sweden, helping Brazil claim its first World Cup title. Pelé’s rise to stardom continued over the years, with three World Cup victories to his name.

Maradona’s “Hand of God”

Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup performance remains one of the most talked-about moments in the tournament’s history. His controversial “Hand of God” goal in the quarterfinals against England remains one of the most debated plays in football history. However, Maradona also scored what is widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history just minutes later, weaving through the English defense to score a stunning solo effort.

Ronaldo’s 2002 Redemption

Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazário made history in the 2002 World Cup, where he scored two goals in the final against Germany to secure Brazil’s fifth World Cup victory. After suffering a difficult 1998 final in which he was criticized for a poor performance, Ronaldo’s 2002 success was a redemption story, solidifying his place as one of football’s greats.

Fun Facts About the World Cup

While the iconic players and thrilling moments are at the forefront of World Cup history, there are also countless fascinating facts that make the tournament even more interesting.

1. The World Cup Trophy

The World Cup trophy has been redesigned multiple times. The original trophy, the Jules Rimet Trophy, was awarded from 1930 until 1970, when Brazil won it for the third time. Afterward, the new FIFA World Cup Trophy was introduced. However, the original trophy was stolen in 1983 and has never been recovered.

2. The Most Goals in a Single World Cup Match

The record for the most goals in a single World Cup match occurred in 1954, when Austria defeated Switzerland 7-5 in a thrilling quarterfinal encounter. This remains the highest-scoring match in World Cup history.

3. The Fastest Goal in World Cup History

As mentioned earlier, Hakan Şükür scored the fastest goal in World Cup history in 2002. His 11-second goal set the record, but it also gave Turkey an early lead, ultimately helping them finish in third place that year.

4. Most Consecutive World Cups Played

The most consecutive World Cups by a player is held by Lothar Matthäus of Germany, who played in five different World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998).

FAQs About World Cup Trivia Questions and Answers

What year was the first FIFA World Cup held?

The first FIFA World Cup took place in 1930 in Uruguay. It marked the beginning of what would become the most prestigious football tournament in the world.

Which country has won the most FIFA World Cup titles?

Brazil holds the record for the most World Cup wins, having lifted the trophy five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002).

Who is the all-time top scorer in World Cup history?

Miroslav Klose of Germany is the all-time top scorer, with 16 goals scored across four World Cup tournaments (2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014).

Which country was the first to host the World Cup?

The first FIFA World Cup was hosted by Uruguay in 1930. Uruguay also won the inaugural tournament, defeating Argentina in the final.

What is the fastest goal ever scored in a World Cup match?

The fastest goal in World Cup history was scored by Hakan Şükür of Turkey, who found the net just 11 seconds into a match against South Korea in the 2002 World Cup.

Who is the youngest player to score in a World Cup match?

Pelé became the youngest player to score in a World Cup match when he scored at the age of 17 years and 239 days in the 1958 World Cup quarterfinals against Wales.

What is the most goals scored in a single World Cup tournament?

The record for the most goals scored in a single World Cup tournament is held by Just Fontaine of France, who scored 13 goals in just six matches during the 1958 World Cup.

Which country has finished fourth the most times in the World Cup?

Germany has finished in fourth place more than any other country, with four fourth-place finishes (1954, 1970, 2002, and 2010).

What happened to the original Jules Rimet Trophy?

The Jules Rimet Trophy, which was awarded from 1930 to 1970, was stolen in 1983 and has never been recovered. The current World Cup trophy was introduced after Brazil’s third win in 1970.

Which player has the most World Cup appearances?

Lothar Matthäus of Germany holds the record for the most World Cup appearances, playing in five World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, and 1998).

Conclusion

The FIFA World Cup is not just a tournament; it’s a celebration of football, passion, and national pride. From iconic players like Pelé and Maradona to unforgettable moments like Ronaldo’s redemption, the World Cup has a rich history filled with fascinating trivia. Whether you’re a casual fan or a die-hard enthusiast, these World Cup trivia questions and answers offer a deeper appreciation for the tournament’s legacy.