1970 FIFA World Cup final match Legendary Brazilian forward Pelé (centre right) during the 1970 World Cup final match between Brazil and Italy in Mexico City. Brazil defeated Italy 4–1 to capture its third World Cup championship. (more) FIFA World Cup Records football Written by Tushaar Kuthiala Tushaar Kuthiala has over a decade of experience in news media, content creation, and digital marketing. Over the course of his career, Tushaar has written features and articles on sports, geopolitics,... Tushaar Kuthiala Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated May 1, 2026 •History The FIFA World Cup has come a long way since its inception in 1930, when it was organized as an experimental event that saw several European teams refuse to travel to South America to compete. The popularity of the 2026 World Cup, the 23rd edition in which the participating teams have increased from 32 to 48, highlights the success of the quadrennial competition. During the World Cup’s long history, players from more than 80 international...

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