FIFA World Cup Interesting Facts

The 2022 World Cup is the undisputed highlight of the sporting calendar this year. All eyes will be on Qatar as the most eagerly awaited football tournament takes place.

With several teams in with a genuine chance of lifting the trophy, the World Cup will produce loads of exciting betting opportunities. We can’t wait to find out who lifts the trophy.

FIFA World Cup Interesting Facts - This is Qatar!

FIFA World Cup in Qatar

The eyes of the world will be on Qatar towards the end of the year as the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup takes place.

If you are unfamiliar with Qatar, it shares a single land border with Saudi Arabia, with the rest of its territory surrounded by the Persian Gulf.

It is one of the richest countries in the world, boasting the third-largest natural gas reserves and oil reserves on the planet.

Qatar fended off bids from Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States, making it the first Muslim and Arab country to host the event.

It is the smallest nation by area ever to have been awarded a World Cup. The next smallest by area is Switzerland, which hosted the 1954 tournament.

What Makes the Qatar 2022 World Cup Different?

The 2022 World Cup will set plenty of new milestones when it is staged later this year. These include:

  • This is the first World Cup ever to be held in the Arab world – all previous tournaments were hosted by European, Asian or American countries.
  • Qatar 2022 will be the final tournament involving 32 teams. The 2026 edition in the United States, Mexico and Canada will feature 48 teams.
  • The World Cup will be held from late November to mid-December due to Qatar’s excessive summer heat, making it the first tournament not to be held in May, June or July.
  • Qatar 2022 will reportedly be one of the most expensive World Cups ever, with the country spending around $200 billion on infrastructure projects.
  • The tournament will be staged in just eight stadiums, the lowest since Argentina 1978 (six).

World Cup 2022 Dates

The key World Cup dates are as follows:

  • November 20 – World Cup starts.
  • December 2 – Final set of group stage matches.
  • December 3-6 – Round of 16.
  • December 9-10 – Quarter-finals.
  • December 13-14 – Semi-finals.
  • December 17 – Third place play-off.
  • December 18 – Final

Qatar 2022 World Cup Stadiums

The 2022 World Cup will be played in eight stadiums located in five host cities:

Lusail Stadium | Lusail | Capacity: 80,000 seats | Year: 2022

  • 5x Group matches
  • 1x Round of 16
  • 1x Quarter-final
  • 1x Semi-final
  • Final

Al Bayt Stadium | Al Khor | Capacity: 60,000 seats | Year: 2021

  • 6x Group matches (incl. opening match)
  • 1x Round of 16
  • 1x Quarter-final
  • 1x Semi-final

Al Janoub Stadium | Al Wakrah | Capacity: 40,000 seats | Year: 2019

  • 6x Group matches
  • 1x Round of 16

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium | Al Rayyan | Capacity: 40,000 seats | Year: 2020

  • 6x Group matches
  • 1x Round of 16

Khalifa International Stadium | Doha | Capacity: 40,000 seats | Year: 1976

  • 6x Group matches
  • 1x Round of 16
  • 1x Third place play-off

Education City Stadium | Doha | Capacity: 40,000 seats | Year: 2020

  • 6x Group Matches
  • 1x Round of 16
  • 1x Quarter-final

Stadium 974 | Doha | Capacity: 40,000 seats | Year: 2021

  • 6x Group matches
  • 1x Round of 16

Al Thumama Stadium | Doha| Capacity: 40,000 seats | Year: 2021

  • 6x Group matches
  • 1x Round of 16
  • 1x Quarter-final

The eight stadiums are situated in a 21-mile radius of central Doha, making the 2022 World Cup a dream tournament for fans from a logistical perspective.

Each venue is powered by solar panel farms and equipped with cooling systems to tackle the oppressive heat in Qatar.

While temperatures have been a factor at previous tournaments, the reduced travelling time should help the teams perform at their best.

This is certainly worth considering when wagering on the tournament, and may make it easier to build a successful betting strategy.

We’ve previously seen teams struggle to live up to expectations after trekking across vast distances, but this element will be removed from the equation in Qatar.

Qatar 2022 World Cup Official Song

The official song of the 2022 World Cup is ‘Hayya Hayya (Better Together)’, performed by Trinidad Cardona, Davido and AISHA.

By bringing together voices from the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, the song symbolises how football and music have the power to unite the world.

Previous World Cup Songs

  • 2018 Russia – ‘Live It Up’ – Nicky Jam featuring Will Smith and Era Istrefi
  • 2014 Brazil – ‘We Are One (Ole Ola)’ – Pitbull featuring Jennifer Lopez & Claudia Leitte
  • 2010 South Africa – ‘Waka Waka’ – Shakira featuring Freshlyground
  • 2006 Germany – ‘Zeit Dass Sich Was Dreht (Celebrate The Day)’ – Herbert Gronemeyer featuring Amadou & Mariam
  • 2002 South Korea/Japan – ‘Boom’ – Anastacia
  • 1998 France – ‘La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life)’ – Ricky Martin
  • 1994 USA – ‘Gloryland’ – Daryl Hall and Sounds of Blackness
  • 1990 Italy – ‘Un’estate italiana (To Be Number One)’ – Edoardo Bennato and Gianna Nannini
  • 1986 Mexico – ‘Hot Hot Hot’ – Arrow
  • 1982 Spain – ‘Mundial ’82’ – Placido Domingo
  • 1978 Argentina – ‘Anthem’ – Buenos Aires Municipal Symphony
  • 1974 Germany – ‘Futbol’ – Maryla Rodowicz
  • 1970 Mexico – ‘Futbol Mexico 70’ – Los Hermanos Zavala
  • 1966 England – ‘World Cup Willie (Where in this World are We Going)’ – Lonnie Donegan
  • 1962 Chile – ‘El Rock del Mundial’ – Los Ramblers

Qatar 2022 World Cup Official Ball

The World Cup 2022 ball was designed with sustainability as a priority, making it the first-ever official match ball created with water-based glues and inks.

The name of the ball – Al Rihla – means ‘the journey’ or ‘the excursion’ in Arabic, symbolising how this year’s tournament represents a step into the unknown.

Previous World Cup Balls

  • 2018 Russia – adidas Telstar 18
  • 2014 Brazil – adidas Brazuca
  • 2010 South Africa – Adidas Jabulani
  • 2006 Germany – adidas Teamgeist
  • 2002 South Korea/Japan – Adidas Fevernova
  • 1998 France – adidas Tricolore
  • 1994 USA – Adidas Questra
  • 1990 Italy – adidas Etrusco Unico
  • 1986 Mexico – Adidas Azteca
  • 1982 Spain – Adidas Tango Espana
  • 1978 Argentina – Adidas Tango
  • 1974 Germany – adidas Telstar Durlast
  • 1970 Mexico – adidas Telstar
  • 1966 England – Slazenger Challenge 4-Star
  • 1962 Chile – Zamora & Brine Crack (replaced by the Top Star)
  • 1958 Sweden – Remmen Top Star
  • 1954 Switzerland – Kost Sport Swiss World Champion
  • 1950 Brazil – Superball Duplo T
  • 1938 France – Allen
  • 1934 Italy – ECAS Federale 102
  • 1930 Uruguay – Tiento & T-Model

Qatar 2022 World Cup Official Kits

The official kits for the World Cup generally start to be released around six months before the tournament gets underway.

Puma will reportedly be the first to reveal their kits, with Adidas and Nike expected to follow later in the summer. A handful of other manufacturers also make World Cup kits.

The Argentina kit is likely to be one of the most striking, with the traditional light blue and white colours topped off by some eye-catching black detailing.

Spain’s 2022 World Cup kits will be the first to feature the new federation badge, while Germany’s will boast golden-metallic logos.

The Brazil away kit will be unique, combining a blue base with a green-and-yellow leopard-like pattern on the sleeves.

Qatar 2022 World Cup Official Mascot

The tournament’s official mascot is La’eeb. It is named after an Arabic word meaning ‘super-skilled player’.

According to FIFA the mascot ‘will be known for his youthful spirit; spreading joy and confidence everywhere he goes’.

He comes from a parallel world where tournament mascots live – ‘a world where ideas and creativity form the basis of characters that live in the minds of everyone’.

FIFA World Cup Interesting Facts

Here are some of the most interesting facts about the FIFA World Cup:

  • Only two non-European countries have won the tournament in the last 10 editions – Argentina (1986) and Brazil (2002).
  • The last team to retain the World Cup was Brazil in 1962.
  • Miroslav Klose has scored the most World Cup goals with 16.
  • The highest English goalscorer in the World Cup is Gary Lineker, who netted ten goals in 12 appearances.
  • Three players share the record for playing in the most World Cups – Antonio Carbajal (Mexico, 1950–1966), Rafael Márquez (Mexico, 2002–2018) and Lothar Matthaus (Germany 1982–1998) all played in five tournaments.
  • France’s Just Fontaine holds the record for the most goals scored in a single World Cup (13 in 1958).
  • Pele is the only man to win the World Cup three times.
  • Mario Zagallo (Brazil), Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany) and Didier Deschamps (France) are the only people to win the World Cup as both player and head coach.
  • The only head coach to ever win two World Cups is Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo (1934 and 1938).

World Cup Past Winners

Just eight teams have won the World Cup, with Brazil currently leading the way with five victories. The roll of honour is as follows:

  • 1930 Uruguay 4-2 Argentina
  • 1934 Italy* 2-1 Czechoslovakia
  • 1938 Italy 4-2 Hungary
  • 1950 Uruguay 2-1 Brazil
  • 1954 West Germany 3-2 Hungary
  • 1958 Brazil 5-2 Sweden
  • 1962 Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia
  • 1966 England* 4-2 West Germany
  • 1970 Brazil 4 -1 Italy
  • 1974 West Germany 2-1 Netherlands
  • 1978 Argentina* 3-1 Netherlands
  • 1982 Italy 3-1 West Germany
  • 1986 Argentina 3-2 West Germany
  • 1990 West Germany 1-0 Argentina
  • 1994 Brazil** 0-0 Italy
  • 1998 France 3-0 Brazil
  • 2002 Brazil 2-0 Germany
  • 2006 Italy** 1-1 France
  • 2010 Spain* 1-0 Netherlands
  • 2014 Germany* 1-0 Argentina
  • 2018 France 4-2 Croatia

*Won after extra-time
**Won on penalty kicks

One of the most interesting FIFA World Cup interesting facts is how few teams have lifted the trophy since the tournament started.

Outsiders do no tend to fare well at the World Cup, so it generally pays to concentrate on the teams towards the head of the betting market.

Five-time winners Brazil are amongst the favourites to enhance their record, although they have not won the World Cup since 2002.

Reigning champions France are another fancied team, but no team has gone back-to-back at the World Cup since Brazil achieved the feat in 1962.

Argentina, Spain and England are other teams prominent in the betting, but none of them appeals as likely winners.

Germany look the value bet after piecing together an impressive qualifying campaign, while Belgium could be dangerous.

World Cup Past Top Goalscorers

Predicting the top goalscorer at the World Cup is one of the most popular betting markets. These are the previous winners of the accolade:

  • 1930 – Guillermo Stabile (Argentina) – 8
  • 1934 – Oldrich Nejedly (Czechoslovakia) – 5
  • 1938 – Leonidas (Brazil) – 7
  • 1950 – Ademir (Brazil) – 8
  • 1954 – Sandor Kocsis (Hungary) – 11
  • 1958 – Just Fontaine (France) – 13
  • 1962 – Florian Albert (Hungary), Garrincha (Brazil), Valentin Ivanov (Soviet Union), Drazan Jerkovic (Yugoslavia), Leonel Sanchez (Chile), Vava (Brazil) – 4
  • 1966 – Eusebio (Portugal) – 9
  • 1970 – Gerd Muller (Germany) – 10
  • 1974 – Grzegorz Lato (Poland) – 7
  • 1978 – Mario Kempes (Argentina) – 6
  • 1982 – Paolo Rossi (Italy) – 6
  • 1986 – Gary Lineker (England) – 6
  • 1990 – Salvator Schillaci (Italy) – 6
  • 1994 – Oleg Salenko (Russia), Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria) – 6
  • 1998 – Davor Suker (Croatia) – 6
  • 2002 – Ronaldo (Brazil) – 8
  • 2006 – Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 5
  • 2010 – Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Thomas Muller (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), David Villa (Spain) – 5
  • 2014 – James Rodriguez (Colombia) – 6
  • 2018 – Harry Kane (England) – 6

Kane and Kylian Mbappe top the betting to be top scorer at the 2022 World Cup, but there is better value to be had elsewhere.

This is likely to be the last time we will see Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup and he looks a good bet to win the Golden Boot.

Germany’s Thomas Muller could be worth an each-way punt for anyone looking to play at longer prices.

World Cup Past Hosts

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be the 22nd edition of the tournament.

The previous hosts are as follows:

  • 2018 – Russia
  • 2014 – Brazil
  • 2010 – South Africa
  • 2006 – Germany
  • 2002 – South Korea/Japan
  • 1998 – France
  • 1994 – USA
  • 1990 – Italy
  • 1986 – Mexico
  • 1982 – Spain
  • 1978 – Argentina
  • 1974 – Germany
  • 1970 – Mexico
  • 1966 – England
  • 1962 – Chile
  • 1958 – Sweden
  • 1954 – Switzerland
  • 1950 – Brazil
  • 1938 – France
  • 1934 – Italy
  • 1930 – Uruguay

World Cup in Stats/Numbers/Records

Some of the most interesting FIFA World Cup 2022 information relates to off-field facts. Here are some of our favourites:

  • Around 3.5 billion people (almost half of the world’s population) tuned in to watch the 2018 World Cup.
  • India qualified for the 1950 World Cup in Brazil but withdrew as they were only accustomed to playing barefoot at the time. FIFA rules stated that footwear must be worn.
  • Many teams ban their players from having sex during the tournament as they claim it impacts their performances.
  • The World Cup winners receive around $50 million.
  • The 2018 World Cup generated $5.4bn in revenue, With the event costing $1.8bn in expenses, FIFA made a $3.6bn profit.