The FIFA World Cup 2010 is being held from June 11 in South Africa, who are hosting it for the first time.

The Football World Cup has a long history of 80 years beginning from 1930 when the then president of the International Football Federation (FIFA) Jules Rimet’s dream came true organizing the first ever World Cup tournament in its centenary year.

This inaugural World Cup was held in Uruguay and the hosts won the tournament defeating Argentina 4-2 in the final.

In all, 13 countries participated in the inuagural FIFA World Cup – only four from Europe and nine from the Americas.

The United States came third while Yugoslavia finished third in the tournament.

The World Cup has been a regular event held after every four years except a 12-year break from 1938 to 1950 when it ccould not be played due to World War II.

Since its inauguration in 1930, a total of 18 World Cup tournaments have so far been played.

Following is a summarised record of all these World Cups, held from 1930 to 2006.

The previous World Cup was held in Germany and it was won by Italy, defeating France in the final while the hosts, Germany were placed third and Portugal earned the fourth position.

By Mushtaq A Subhani

The FIFA World Cup 2010 is being held from June 11 in South Africa, who are hosting it for the first time.
The Football World Cup has a long history of 80 years beginning from 1930 when the then president of the International Football Federation (FIFA) Jules Rimet’s dream came true organizing the first ever World Cup tournament....