World Cup Trivia Questions!

 

 

Whether you like it or not, the next month is going to be full of one thing: football. For British people it will be nice to hear about something other than Brexit for a while, and for Argentinians, it will be a moment of unity as fans of both Boca and River wear the same blue and white shirt for a few weeks.

If you don’t know anything about football, don’t worry, these questions have been written by someone who doesn’t know anything about football either.

Highlight the answers to see what they are.

 

 

QUESTIONS

1. The first ever football world cup, was held in Uruguay, but in what year did it take place?

(A) 1910       (B) 1920       (C) 1930        (D) 1940

 

The answer is (C)1930. Only 13 countries took part, seven from South America, two from North America, and four from Europe.

 

2. In the first ever world cup final, the hosts Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2, but what had to change at half time?

            (A) The ball                          (b) The referee

            (C) The stadium                 (D) The whole Argentinian team

 

The answer is (A) The ball. Before the match, Argentina and Uruguay had a dispute over what type of ball should be used. FIFA decided that Argentina should provide the ball for the first half, and Uruguay for the second half.

 

 

3. Italy won the next two competitions, in 1934, and 1938, but why did Austria pull out of the France 1938 World Cup at the last minute?

(A) The whole team caught a virus

(B) The president declared that football was a waste of money

(C) Austria ceased to exist

(D) There was confusion about when the competition would begin

 

The answer is (C) Austria ceased to exist. In 1938, Austria became a part of Nazi Germany, and wasn’t an independent country again until after the Second World War. The Austrian team, which had qualified for the 1938 World Cup, was integrated with the German team.

 

4. Argentina and Uruguay didn’t go to the 1938 World Cup either. What were they protesting against?

(A) The decision to hold two consecutive competitions in Europe

(B) Spain’s participation in the competition

(C) Not getting any financial help for the journey

(D) The lack of yerba mate in Europe

 

The answer is (A) Argentina and Uruguay boycotted the 1938 competition, because they said that it should alternate between Europe and South America – not be held in Europe twice consecutively. Spain didn’t go to 1938 World Cup, because of their own civil war.

 

5. You can probably remember Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 loss against Germany in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but the last time the competition was held in Brazil, in 1950, another team defeated Brazil in a humiliating way – who was it?

(A) Argentina                     (B) Mexico

(C) Peru                               (D) Uruguay

 

The answer is (D) Uruguay. 1950 was the only time in which there was a final ‘group stage’ instead of a final game to decide the winner. When the last game began, Brazil had more points than Uruguay, and so only needed to draw to win the World Cup. However, Uruguay scored two goals late in the final match, and won the final game, and the Cup. Due to the stadium where the game was played, this loss is known as the Maracanaço.

 

6. In 1958, in Sweden, Pelé became the youngest player to play in, score in, and win a World Cup Final. How old was he?

(A) 16                                    (B) 17                                    (C) 18                         (D) 19

 

The answer is (B) 17. Coincidentally, the oldest player to score in a World Cup final scored in the same game – A Swedish player, aged 35.

 

7. In 1986 Argentina won their second World Cup, with a 25 year old Maradona as their Captain. But which team made their only appearance in a World Cup Championship in 1986?

(A) Morocco                                                (B) Algeria

(C) South Korea                                          (D) Iraq

 

The answer is (D) Iraq. Morocco, Algeria and South Korea have participated several times.

 

8. Last question! In 2002, the Cup was held outside of America or Europe for the first time ever, as well as being jointly held between two countries for the first time ever. What continent was it held in?

(A) Asia                                            (B) Africa

(C) Oceania                                      (D) Antarctica

 

The answer is (D) Antarctica. Just kidding. It’s (A) Asia. The competition was held between South Korea and Japan, and was won by Germany.

How many did you get right out of 8? If you got all 8, then you are a football genius. Or maybe you are just good at trivia.

Enjoy the World Cup!

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