JAKARTA - There is no sports event as fierce as Jules Rimet (now renamed the FIFA World Cup). Every time it is held, this football competition always steals the attention of football fans around the world.
Even on ordinary days for people who don't like football, they just become football fanatics. For example, currently there is a gubernatorial election, which takes place in many provinces in Indonesia, it could be, there is a watch together event, as part of the campaign.
Even famous players' names can be memorized out of their heads. Ronaldo Rozario, for example, is remembered as a Brazilian player. Or Diego Maradona, from Argentina, not from Napoli (Italy). People know more about Pele, the champion from Brazil than Pele who strengthened the Santos club or the New York Cosmos.
Or, Zinedine Zidane, his people from France compared to Real Madrid or Juventus. In fact, from the beginning Fernando Torres has always only been known in Spain. That is, the FIFA World Cup trophy, is indeed more sensational than the players at elite clubs.
Since it was held in 1930 in Uruguay, to compete for the Jules Rimet trophy, it quickly grew in popularity, and was seen as the most prestigious championship. Although not many people know, because of the attraction of interests, the idea of the World Cup itself was buried for 26 years before finally becoming a reality.
Starting from the OlympicsLooking back, when FIFA was confirmed in 1904, the newly formed organization agreed to be the sole holder of the right to hold the world football championship. At that time, it was not yet clear what form it would take. It was only in the 20s, when Jules Rimet became President of FIFA, that the world football championship was formulated seriously, after football was contested at the Olympics (England representing Great Britain won twice, 1908 and 1912).
At the FIFA Congress in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1920, the proposal for a World Cup championship was discussed and approved in principle. Four years later, when the Paris Olympics took place, there was a more detailed discussion.
In 1928, Uruguay won the football at the Amsterdam Olympics, defeating Argentina in the final. This milestone is why Uruguay was chosen as the host of the World Cup to compete for the Jules Rimet trophy, for the first time in 1930.
For this, Uruguay built a stadium in Montevideo, and covered all the travel costs of the visiting team. At that time, the tournament was attended by 13 countries (out of 41 FIFA member countries), seven of which were from South America, namely Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, and Uruguay, two from North America, Mexico and the United States). The others, from European countries, Yugoslavia (now split into six countries), Belgium, France, and Romania.
On July 13, 1930, the first World Cup match took place at the Pacitos Stadium. France beat Mexico 4-1. This is the beginning of the long, and extraordinary history of a tournament named Jules Rimet - the World Cup, without any qualifying round. Unlike today, the guest team's trip to Uruguay (especially those from Europe), could take three weeks, because they had to travel by sea.
Since Jules Rimet or the first World Cup tournament, 23 times the world's largest football tournament has been held. There are eight different teams that have become champions. Namely Brazil, the record holder of five times. Germany and Italy four times, Argentina three times, Uruguay and France twice, and England and Spain once.
Since Brazil has kept it forever, because it has won the Jules Rimet Trophy three times in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Therefore, the world cup changed its clothes, titled "World Cup Trophy" from 1974 to today, which will be held immediately, June 11-July 19, 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Full of SurpriseBut every time it is held, it is always guaranteed to be a surprise that makes the history of football "full color". For example, when the US beat Italy in 1950, North Korea defeated Italy in 1966. Algeria humiliated West Germany in the 1982 World Cup, as well as Cameroon, which emerged in the 80s, surprisingly defeated the defending champion Argentina, the opening match at the San Siro Stadium, Milan, in the 1990 World Cup.
In 1934, Jules Rimet was held in Italy. Uruguay, disappointed with Italy's absence at Jules Rimet 1930, refused to defend the title. The tournament was held for the first time in a knockout format, with 16 teams, not the first time the tournament was shrouded in controversy. At the 1938 Jules Rimet Trophy.
Spain was in the midst of a civil war, while Hitler annexed Austria, so that a number of talented players changed their nationality, so that they could still play in Jules Rimet.
The trophy, which was later named the Jules Rimet Trophy, was only held until 1938. For 10 years, the 1942 and 1946 World Cups were stopped, due to the outbreak of World War II.
Only in the 1950s, the World Cup was held again. The Samba team of Brazil, as the host, built the largest stadium in the world - Maracana. For the first time, England, the creator of modern football, could join the Jules Rimet Trophy. As a result, a number of countries did not come, only two groups consisting of four teams, while the other two only contained three and two teams.
A change in the format of the match, happened, when the Jules Rimet Cup took place in Switzerland in 1954, each first round group, consisting of two seeded teams and two non-seeded teams. This pattern, resulted in a team with the same points, so they had to play a play-off. Even though there were 16 teams competing, they could hold 26 matches, during the 19-day tournament. This system, then was never used again.
Throughout the history of the Jules Rimet Cup, the number of teams that qualify has also increased. For example, in 1954 there were 38 countries, in 1958 there were 53 countries and 56 countries in 1962. In 1974, teams competed in West Germany, competing for a new trophy, after Brazil kept the Jules Rimet Trophy forever, because it was three times the champion.
Joao Havelange's policyThe very fundamental change actually happened in 1982, when FIFA President Joao Havelange, increased the number of teams competing in the final round from 16 to 24 teams, because more and more countries that deserve to compete in line with the progress and development of football, in each continental zone.
For the last tournament as FIFA president, Havelange, increased the number of teams that entered the final round to 32 teams. At that time, the final round was held in France in 1998 - the beginning of the origin of modern football, where television and sponsors became the equalizer.
All possibilities seem to be possible at the World Cup. Proof of this was in 2002, when the World Cup was held for the first time in the Asian region, by two countries, in South Korea and Japan.
This means, for the first time, the hosts are together. The number of spectators is also increasing in line with technological developments. When the World Cup took place in France 1998, there were 37 billion pairs of eyes watching all the matches, through television screens, including 1.3 billion for the final match. Meanwhile, those who watched the match live in the stadium were recorded at 2.7 million people, for 64 matches.
Now, in the 3rd millennium, football is mixed, although it is still wrapped in fairplay and respect. Only, the problem of conspiracy, and controversial, will never end.
FIFA as the "king of all countries", has an absolute decision that is difficult to be challenged by its members.
For example, in the 2026 World Cup, for the first time, the hosts were appointed by three countries, namely Canada, Mexico and the United States. In fact, the number of countries that can qualify for the final round increases, from 32 countries to 48 countries.
The Iran War EffectThree months before the giant event that will be watched by 4 billion people in the world, it became a drama in itself. Especially, when there is a war between Iran vs Israel-United States. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was dizzy seven times, by the actions of the United States, which banned the representative of the PSSI-Iran, to attend the group draw, because he could not get a visa.
In fact, two months ago, FIFA was still confused, when Iran, would withdraw from the 2026 World Cup, if its players and officials, could not guarantee security and safety. The solution, various. Iran asked all the matches in Group G, with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, to be held in Mexico.
In fact, there is a rumor that if Iran withdraws, FIFA will appoint Italy or Indonesia. FIFA has a super mature business calculation. The point is, FIFA doesn't want Iran to withdraw. As a result, FIFA continues to seduce, the number one person in America, Donald Trump, that for the 2026 World Cup this time, there must be a "ceasefire".
Peace was once during the 2026 World Cup. But, after the World Cup is over, the 19th of July 2026. Please FIFA give the opportunity, Israel and the United States are at war again against Iran. Really "drapildun", the World Cup drama!
The history of Jules Rimet to the World Cup, which is the most serious when there is a host buying and selling event. Namely, the selection of South Africa 2010, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, still as a "tragedy" for the losing country, especially England.
Football as the most popular sport in the world, will never be out of a game that is fun to watch. Don't forget, waiting to give birth to tragedy, joy, sadness, frustration, conspiracy and also war.
That's the face of modern football from the Jules Rimet Trophy to the FIFA World Cup!
J. Erwiyantoro(Football Columnist)The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
