| The FIFA World Cup, sometimes called the | | | | the most widely-viewed sporting event in |
| football World Cup or the soccer World | | | | the world, with 1.1 billion people |
| Cup, but usually referred to simply as | | | | watching the 2002 tournament final. |
| the World Cup, is an international | | | | In the eighteen tournaments held, only |
| football competition contested by the | | | | seven nations have won. Brazil is the |
| men's national football teams of member | | | | most successful World Cup team, having |
| nations of the Federation International | | | | won the tournament five times. The |
| de Football Association (FIFA), the | | | | current Cup holder, Italy, follows with |
| sport's global governing body. The | | | | four titles, while Germany holds three. |
| championship has been awarded every four | | | | The other former champions are Uruguay |
| years since the first tournament in | | | | and Argentina with two titles each, and |
| 1930, except in 1942 and 1946. However, | | | | England and France with one title each. |
| the event is often ongoing, as the | | | | The Copa América is the oldest |
| qualifying rounds of the competition | | | | surviving international football |
| take place over the three years | | | | competition in the world, as it was held |
| preceding the final rounds. Since 1991, | | | | for the first time between July 2 and |
| FIFA has also held the Women's World Cup | | | | July 17, 1916 as part of the |
| on a similar four-year schedule. | | | | commemorations of Argentina's |
| "A game played on a rectangular field | | | | independence centenary. The CONMEBOL was |
| with net goals at either end in which | | | | then founded during this event, on July |
| two teams of 11 players each try to | | | | 9 (Argentina's independence day). It is |
| drive a ball into the other's goal by | | | | normally held every two years, but the |
| kicking, heading, or using any part of | | | | intervals may change. |
| the body except the arms and hands. The | | | | Tournaments tour: |
| goalie is the only player who may touch | | | | *The Welsh International Super Cup - |
| or move the ball with the arms or hand." | | | | Aberystwyth, Wales |
| The tournament's final phase, often | | | | *The Umbro International Cup - |
| called the World Cup Finals, involves | | | | Manchester, England |
| thirty-two national teams competing at | | | | *The Arsenal International Festival - |
| several venues within the host nation | | | | London, England |
| over a period of about a month. It is | | | | *The St. |