Top 5 unknown facts about FIFA World Cup
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FIFA World Cup
Many sports lovers throughout the world consider the highly esteemed and distinguished FIFA World Cup to be their favorite event. The 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Qatar and is scheduled to start on November 20, is eagerly anticipated by everyone. This year’s finals will take place on December 18. It’s anticipated that this World Cup will rank among the most prosperous ones.
Everyone can be surprised if they look at the history of the FIFA World Cup and some of the most fascinating facts about it. Even though these competitions are the most popular and successful in the world, there is still some mystique surrounding them. The top 5 little-known facts about the FIFA World Cup are examined here.
5. Host teams qualify directly
The first item on the list is that the World Cup host nation will automatically qualify for the tournament without having to go through the regular qualifying process. The hosts South Korea and Japan had never qualified for the World Cup, but they did so in the year they were hosting, in 2002 when they host it together. The then reigning world champions, France, had also made it.
A joint hosting had only happened once in the history in 2002. The next World Cup in 2026 is also going to be hosted by three countries in combination, United States, Mexico and Canada. But the qualification process for the teams are not yet finalized by the FIFA governing body according to reports.
4. 2014 FIFA World Cup was during Ramadan
The second item on the list is that Ramadan fell during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted in Brazil ( the month of fasting according to Islamic culture). This generated a great deal of criticism and discussion about how it might impact the player’s performance while fasting. Some athletes were required to compete during Maghrib ( the fast-breaking time).
There were also reports that the Algeria National Team had a very difficult time facing Germany in the knock off stages due to heavy fasting. Algeria also lost the game against Germany there. Muslims were also found in high majority in France and Nigeria teams. The topic was a heated discussion back then.
3. Humungous prize money
The third item on the list is that the victorious team will get a whopping $38 million in prize money. The amount of money has genuinely shocked football fans throughout the world, not just those who received the winning trophy. The second runners-up receives $24 million in prize money, while the first runners-up receives $28 million.
During the First World Cup that was held in 1982, the prize money was $2.2 million. For the 2023 Women’s World Cup the total money prize is added up to $60 million. What comes with contradiction currently is that the prize money for Men’s FIFA World Cup is nearly seven times that of the Women’s FIFA World Cup.
2. Fastest goal was scored by Hakan Sukur
The fastest World Cup goal ever came in at number four on the list. Hakan Sukur of the Turkey National Team scored the goal in the fastest time ever. In the 10.48th second, a goal was scored against South Korea. It took place during the third play-off of the FIFA World Cup in 2002. According to rumors, the player who scored goals the fastest is now an Uber driver.
And the more interesting fact is that he had only appeared in one World Cup all throughout his life, but his early goal helped him to cement his name well to the FIFA World Records wall. he surpassed the record of Vaclav Masek which he was holding for nearly 40 years by scoring in the 16th second
1. Stolen 1966 World Cup trophy was recovered by a dog
Last on the list is the intriguing fact that a dog named Pickles was able to rescue the 1966 FIFA World Cup trophy after it had been stolen. The host nation’s England National Team took home the trophy. One of the thieves was identified, but the identities of everyone else who was involved are still unknown.
The trophy is known as the Jules Rimet trophy. The theft had happened during the time the trophy was kept for an exhibition in the Westminster Central Hall. There were officer guards for taking change and protection of the trophy but unfortunately they could discover that the trophy was stolen.
Even though these events occurred a long time ago, many football fans still remember them. The World Cup is being mostly ignored this year as well because everyone is anticipating more exciting events. More fans are anticipating this season.
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Sana Fatima
(129 Articles Published)