History of the FIFA World Cup

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The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious international football tournament in the world. It is organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and is contested by the senior men's national teams of FIFA's member associations. The tournament is held every four years and attracts billions of viewers worldwide.
Origin of the World Cup
Before the World Cup existed, football was mainly played at the Olympic Games. However, FIFA wanted an international tournament exclusively for football. As a result, the first FIFA World Cup was organized in 1930.
The First World Cup (1930)
The inaugural tournament took place in Uruguay, which was chosen because it was celebrating 100 years of independence and had won two Olympic football titles. Only 13 teams participated, and Uruguay defeated Argentina 4–2 in the final to become the first World Cup champions.
World War II Interruption
The World Cup was scheduled every four years, but the tournaments planned for 1942 and 1946 were cancelled because of World War II. The competition resumed in 1950, hosted by Brazil.
Growth of the Tournament
The World Cup has expanded over time:
1930–1978: Mostly 16 teams.
1982: Expanded to 24 teams.
1998–2022: Expanded to 32 teams.
2026: Expanded to 48 teams, making it the biggest World Cup in history.