25 Interesting World Cup Facts You Must Know!
JAKARTA - The biggest tournament in the biggest sport produces the biggest record. The FIFA World Cup, which began in 1930, is nothing short of an extraordinary record.
Until the 2018 edition of the tournament in Russia, here are a number of World Cup records that we managed to collect from various sources.
This time, we look at the list of World Cup records from the team (country) side.
1. Most wins
73 — Brazil Germany are second with 67 while Italy are third with 45, far less despite having also won four tournaments.
2. Most defeats
27 — Mexico, Argentina (23) and Germany (22) are the only other countries with 20 or more World Cup defeats.
3. Most draws
21 — Italy, EnglandGermany have 20 draws.
4. Most matches
109 — Brazil, Germany The two most successful teams at a World Cup share the record for the most games played at a World Cup.
5. Most wins in one tournament
7 — Brazil (2002) Still the only team to win 7-0 in a single World Cup.
6. Top scorer
229 — Brazil Brazil surpassed Germany (226) during the 2018 tournament although three of the six all-time World Cup goalscorers are German.
7. Fewest goals scored
0 — Canada, China, Indonesia (as Dutch East Indies in 1938), Trinidad and Tobago, DR Congo (as Zaire in 1974). Only Canada qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
8. Fewest goals scored by World Cup winners
8 — Spain (2010) For all their attacking magic, La Furia Roja won their World Cup on defence.
9. Most goals conceded
125 — Germany Brazil are second with 105 goals conceded followed by Mexico (98) and Argentina (93).
10. The fewest goals conceded
2 — Angola Angola won two draws and one defeat at the 2006 World Cup in their only World Cup participation. From 1930-1974, players from Angola participated as part of Portugal.
11. The winner who conceded the least
2 — France (1998), Italy (2006), Spain (2010) Cliche warning: Defense wins championship.
12. Most minutes in a row without conceding
554 — Switzerland (1994, 2006-2010) Prior to this record, Switzerland had the record for most consecutive games by conceding at least one goal in 22 matches.
13. Most own goals conceded
4 — Mexico Bulgaria (1966) and Russia (2018) are the only teams to have conceded multiple own goals in the same tournament.
14. Best goal difference
+124 — Brazil After Germany (+101) and Italy with +51.
15. Worst goal difference
-38 — Mexico Despite playing in the same group, Mexico managed to overtake South Korea (-36) in the 2018 tournament. They are followed by Bulgaria (-31) and USA/Cameroon (-25).
16. Most penalty shootouts
5 — ArgentinaLa Albiceleste won 4 to 1 on penalties.
17. Most penalty shootouts won
4 — Germany, ArgentinaDie Mannschaft have never lost on penalties and gave Argentina their only loss in 2006.
18. Most often lose on penalties
3 — England, Italy The Azzurri haven't lost a World Cup on penalties since Gianluigi Buffon took over in the No.1 role.
19. Most red cards
11 — Brazil
Why does Jogo Bonito play rough, huh?
20. Most final appearances8 — Germany (1954, 1966, 1974, 1982, 1986, 1990 as West Germany, 2002, 2014 as Germany). Brazil has a record 5 wins to 1 in the final, compared to Germany's 4-4.
21. Most top 4 achievements
13 — Germany (1934, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1982, 1986, 1990 as West Germany, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 as Germany). Brazil are second with 11 but have never finished outside 16 large in 20 editions.
22. Most eliminated from the tournament without losing
3 — England (1982, 1990, 2006)England have always found a way to exit the World Cup in the most devastating way possible.
23. Most eliminated without winning
6 — Mexico, Bulgaria Mexico haven't finished a World Cup without a win since 1978.
24. Most appearances in the top three without ever winning
4 — Netherlands (1974, 1978, 2010, 2014) The Oranje have been in three finals without ever claiming a world title.
25. Most appearances without passing the first round
8 — Scotland (1954, 1958, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998) Scotland has not been to the World Cup since 1998.