The FIFA World Cup is more than just a football tournament — it’s the most watched sporting event on Earth. Every four years, billions of fans from every corner of the globe come together to celebrate the beautiful game.
But beyond legendary goals and iconic players, the World Cup is full of surprising facts, unusual stories, and little-known curiosities that make its history even more fascinating.
The First World Cup Had Only 13 Teams 
The inaugural World Cup took place in 1930 in Uruguay, with just 13 participating nations.
There were no qualification rounds — teams were invited, and many European countries declined due to the long and expensive sea journey.
Today, over 200 national teams compete in the qualifiers, highlighting the tournament’s massive global growth.