| The FIFA World Cup, sometimes called the football | | | | widely-viewed sporting event in the world, with 1.1 billion |
| World Cup or the soccer World Cup, but usually | | | | people watching the 2002 tournament final. |
| referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international | | | | In the eighteen tournaments held, only seven nations |
| football competition contested by the men's national | | | | have won. Brazil is the most successful World Cup |
| football teams of member nations of the Federation | | | | team, having won the tournament five times. The |
| International de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's | | | | current Cup holder, Italy, follows with four titles, while |
| global governing body. The championship has been | | | | Germany holds three. The other former champions |
| awarded every four years since the first tournament | | | | are Uruguay and Argentina with two titles each, and |
| in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946. However, the event | | | | England and France with one title each. |
| is often ongoing, as the qualifying rounds of the | | | | The Copa América is the oldest surviving |
| competition take place over the three years preceding | | | | international football competition in the world, as it was |
| the final rounds. Since 1991, FIFA has also held the | | | | held for the first time between July 2 and July 17, 1916 |
| Women's World Cup on a similar four-year schedule. | | | | as part of the commemorations of Argentina's |
| "A game played on a rectangular field with net goals | | | | independence centenary. The CONMEBOL was then |
| at either end in which two teams of 11 players each | | | | founded during this event, on July 9 (Argentina's |
| try to drive a ball into the other's goal by kicking, | | | | independence day). It is normally held every two years, |
| heading, or using any part of the body except the | | | | but the intervals may change. |
| arms and hands. The goalie is the only player who | | | | Tournaments tour: |
| may touch or move the ball with the arms or hand." | | | | *The Welsh International Super Cup - Aberystwyth, |
| The tournament's final phase, often called the World | | | | Wales |
| Cup Finals, involves thirty-two national teams | | | | *The Umbro International Cup - Manchester, England |
| competing at several venues within the host nation | | | | *The Arsenal International Festival - London, England |
| over a period of about a month. It is the most | | | | *The St. |