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