World Cup Stats & History

Turkey's Hakan Şükür scored in just 11 seconds against South Korea in 2002 - a record that still stands after 24 years.

Brazil entered that semifinal as 3-1 favorites, undefeated, on home soil. Germany demolished them in the Mineirão and went on to win their 4th title.

An English dog named Pickles found the Jules Rimet Trophy during a walk after it was stolen six days prior in London in 1966.

The 1954 World Cup in Switzerland was the first ever broadcast on television - 70 years ago.

Brazil won every single game in the 2002 tournament - all 7 matches - to claim their 5th title. The only team to go through a World Cup without a single defeat.

Uruguay's José Batista was sent off just 56 seconds into a game against Scotland in 1986 - the fastest dismissal in World Cup history.

In 1994, Colombia's Andrés Escobar scored an own goal against the USA. Days after returning home, he was shot and killed by gangsters who had lost money betting on Colombia.

Argentina had 3 goals disallowed in the first half and were cruising - then Saudi Arabia scored twice in the second half and held on through 14 minutes of added time.

Four of the last five World Cup champion teams were eliminated in the group stage of the following tournament. The curse of the defending champions is real.