Nearly a century of finals, penalties and heartbreak. How much of it can you name?
10 questions on the champions, the finals, the goalscorers and the great moments of the World Cup, from 1930 to 2026.
Pick your level
The normal quiz covers the landmarks: who has won it, the finals everyone remembers, the record scorers and the moments that made headlines around the world.
Hard mode goes back to the early tournaments and the stories fans still argue about. Records include the 2026 tournament.
The first World Cup was played in Uruguay in 1930, with thirteen teams. It has been held every four years since, except in 1942 and 1946 because of the Second World War.
Only eight nations have ever lifted the trophy. The 2026 edition in the United States, Canada and Mexico was the first with 48 teams, and its final was played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July.
All ten easy level questions, with the answer and the reasoning behind it.
Correct answer: Argentina
Argentina, their third title after 1978 and 1986.
Correct answer: Brazil
Brazil, the most successful nation in the tournament's history.
Correct answer: Bobby Moore
Bobby Moore, at Wembley. It is England's only World Cup title so far.
Correct answer: FIFA
FIFA, based in Zurich. UEFA runs European football, the IOC the Olympic Games.
Correct answer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, who played at his sixth World Cup in 2026.
Correct answer: 90 minutes
90 minutes, in two halves of 45. Knockout matches can add 30 minutes of extra time.
Correct answer: Their hands and arms
Hands and arms. Only the goalkeeper may handle the ball, and only in their own penalty area.
Correct answer: France
France, 4-2 against Croatia in the final in Moscow.
Correct answer: Red
Red. Two yellows in the same match also add up to a red.
Correct answer: Pelé
Pelé, Brazil's number 10 from 1958 to 1970. Pirlo is Italian, Puyol Spanish, Pogba French.
Want to warm up before playing or double-check something? Open any question to reveal the correct answer and a short explanation.
Correct answer: Geoff Hurst
Geoff Hurst, in the 4-2 win over West Germany at Wembley. It stayed the only hat-trick in a final until Kylian Mbappé in 2022.
Correct answer: Spain
Spain, thanks to Andrés Iniesta's extra-time goal against the Netherlands. It was their first title; the second came in 2026.
Correct answer: 3-3, Argentina won on penalties
3-3 after extra time, then 4-2 to Argentina on penalties. Messi scored twice, Mbappé three times.
Correct answer: Three
Three, in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He's the only player with three winner's medals.
Correct answer: Germany
Germany, in Belo Horizonte. They were 5-0 up after 29 minutes and went on to win the final against Argentina.
Correct answer: The stolen World Cup trophy
The Jules Rimet Trophy, stolen in London four months before the tournament and found wrapped in newspaper under a hedge.
Correct answer: David Beckham
David Beckham, in the last-16 match in Saint-Étienne. England went out on penalties.
Correct answer: 1994
1994. Brazil beat Italy on penalties in the first final decided by a shoot-out, after Roberto Baggio's miss.
Correct answer: Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose, for Germany. Brazil's Ronaldo had 15. Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi both passed him in 2026, with Mbappé finishing on 22.
Correct answer: To avoid the Qatari summer heat
To avoid summer temperatures in Qatar, which regularly pass 40°C. It was the first World Cup played outside May, June or July.
Stuck on one, or just curious how nasty it gets? Every hard mode question is here with its answer and the reasoning behind it.
Correct answer: "They think it's all over"
"Some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over… it is now!" The line became the name of a BBC sports quiz show.
Correct answer: West Germany
West Germany, 3-2 against the Hungary of Puskás, who had beaten them 8-3 in the group stage.
Correct answer: A shot that bounced well over the line
A lob that bounced clearly over the line off the crossbar. The case pushed FIFA to bring in goal-line technology, first used at the 2014 World Cup.
Correct answer: Hakan Şükür
Hakan Şükür of Turkey, against South Korea in the 2002 third-place play-off.
Correct answer: 2018
Russia 2018. France's Antoine Griezmann scored the first World Cup penalty awarded after a video review, against Australia.
Correct answer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, with a brace against Uzbekistan on 23 June 2026. He had scored at every tournament since 2006.
Correct answer: Poland
Poland, in a 3-0 group win. Lineker finished the tournament as top scorer with six goals.
Correct answer: The first official mascot
The first World Cup mascot, a lion wearing a Union Jack shirt.
Correct answer: Emiliano Martínez
Emiliano Martínez saved from Kingsley Coman, and Aurélien Tchouaméni shot wide. Martínez also won the Golden Glove.
Correct answer: Brazil
Brazil, the only team to have qualified for every tournament since 1930. Germany skipped 1930 and was banned in 1950, and Italy has missed several, including 2018 and 2022.