World cup trivia
When Brazil took the first world cup trophy for keeps in 1970, a total of 53 designs were submitted. Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga designed the current. The trophy is 36cm high, 18-carat gold and weighs 4970 grammes.
When Brazil took the first world cup trophy for keeps in 1970, a total of 53 designs were submitted. Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga designed the current. The trophy is 36cm high, 18-carat gold and weighs 4970 grammes.
Argentina’s Diego Maradona’s “hand of God†goal against England in 1986.
France, as defending champions, was eliminated without scoring a single goal in 2002.
Colombian defender Andres Escobar murdered in 1994 for allegedly scoring an own goal.
Hungary has scored most goals in a single World Cup: 27 in 1954.
Austria beat Switzerland 7-5 for the most goals scored in a single World Cup match in 1954.
First World Cup hat trick was by Argentina’s Guillermo Stabile in 1930.
Turkey’s Hakan Sukur scored fastest World cup goal in 2002, only 11 seconds from kick-off.
Cameroonian Roger Milla holds the record for oldest player at World Cup – 42 years, 39 days in 1994.
Germany’s Stefan Effernberg thrown out of 1994 World Cup for showing the middle finger to fans.
Diego Maradona banned for using performance-enhancing drugs during the 1994 World Cup in the US.
Italian president Benito Mussolini’s telegram to national coach, Vittorio Pozzo in the 1938 World Cup read, “Win or dieâ€.
Oil Company TNK promised a Porsche Boxster to Russia’s best player for each game in 2002 World Cup. Since Russia was eliminated in the first round, the company remained with six redundant Porsches.
After winning the last World Cup – 2002, Ronaldo’s comment remains unforgettable; “Winning the World Cup is more rewarding. I will have sex in a few moments, but the World Cup only happens every four yearsâ€.
Danny Cruyff spent a night seeking an explanation from her husband, Jordi Cruyff, after a paper had reported that four Dutch players had participated in a naked party with German call-girls the night before. The sleep-starved Cyruff and the Dutch team lost the final in 1974.
Costa Ricans made a fashion statement when they all turned up bald headed for the 2002 World Cup.
Diana Ross missed a close range score in an empty net as she opened the 1994 World Cup in USA.
A dog named Pickles found the World Cup trophy that had been stolen in London in 1966. The dog and owner were rewarded with $4,350 (sh8m). Pickles died a national hero in 1973.
Argentina’s Diego Maradona’s “hand of God†goal against England in 1986.
France, as defending champions, was eliminated without scoring a single goal in 2002.
Colombian defender Andres Escobar murdered in 1994 for allegedly scoring an own goal.
Hungary has scored most goals in a single World Cup: 27 in 1954.
Austria beat Switzerland 7-5 for the most goals scored in a single World Cup match in 1954.
First World Cup hat trick was by Argentina’s Guillermo Stabile in 1930.
Turkey’s Hakan Sukur scored fastest World cup goal in 2002, only 11 seconds from kick-off.
Cameroonian Roger Milla holds the record for oldest player at World Cup – 42 years, 39 days in 1994.
Germany’s Stefan Effernberg thrown out of 1994 World Cup for showing the middle finger to fans.
Diego Maradona banned for using performance-enhancing drugs during the 1994 World Cup in the US.
Italian president Benito Mussolini’s telegram to national coach, Vittorio Pozzo in the 1938 World Cup read, “Win or dieâ€.
Oil Company TNK promised a Porsche Boxster to Russia’s best player for each game in 2002 World Cup. Since Russia was eliminated in the first round, the company remained with six redundant Porsches.
After winning the last World Cup – 2002, Ronaldo’s comment remains unforgettable; “Winning the World Cup is more rewarding. I will have sex in a few moments, but the World Cup only happens every four yearsâ€.
Danny Cruyff spent a night seeking an explanation from her husband, Jordi Cruyff, after a paper had reported that four Dutch players had participated in a naked party with German call-girls the night before. The sleep-starved Cyruff and the Dutch team lost the final in 1974.
Costa Ricans made a fashion statement when they all turned up bald headed for the 2002 World Cup.
Diana Ross missed a close range score in an empty net as she opened the 1994 World Cup in USA.
A dog named Pickles found the World Cup trophy that had been stolen in London in 1966. The dog and owner were rewarded with $4,350 (sh8m). Pickles died a national hero in 1973.