The World Cup is held every four years. A Chinese kicking game called cuju was recorded in the Han dynasty. The Football Association was formed in London in 1863 and published the first rules. The first international match was played in Glasgow in 1872, Scotland against England. As of November 2026, soccer is called the most popular sport in the world.

FIFA was founded in Paris on 21 May 1904. As of November 2026, FIFA has 211 member national associations, and soccer has six regional groups under FIFA. The first World Cup was played in 1930 in Uruguay, and Uruguay won by beating Argentina 4-2.

A soccer ball is round and about 68 to 70 centimeters around. A goal counts when the ball goes between the posts and under the crossbar. A referee runs each match and blows a whistle when a rule is broken. Players can use their head, chest or thighs as well as their feet, but except for the goalkeeper, players cannot touch the ball with their hands or arms during play. A referee shows a yellow card as a caution, and a player who gets a red card must leave the field.

As of November 2026, the 2026 World Cup had 48 teams, more than ever before, and three countries hosted it: Canada, Mexico and the United States. At the World Cup, teams first play in groups of four. In a group, a win earns three points, a draw one point and a loss none. In 2026, the top two teams in each group, plus the eight best third-place teams, advance. After the groups come knockout games, and losing a knockout match means a team is out. If a knockout game is still tied, it is played on for extra time. If it is still tied after extra time, a penalty shoot-out picks the winner.

The first Women's World Cup was held in China in 1991, and the Women's World Cup is also held every four years. In 2026, Spain won the World Cup, and as of November 2026, Brazil has won it five times. The first World Cup trophy, the Jules Rimet Trophy, was kept by Brazil after its third win in 1970. The World Cup trophy is 36 cm tall and made of solid 18 carat gold. Winners hold it at the party but then get a gold-plated copy.

Words to know

• cuju: old kicking game
• caution: a warning
• knockout: out if lose
• trophy: the prize cup