FIFA World Cup Trivia

1. 1994: In what was perhaps the most tragic mistake of all, defender Andres Escobar scored an own goal in a group stage match against the USA. Which country, which was eliminated in the group stage, was Escobar representing?

From Quiz Blame Game

Answer: Colombia

Andres Escobar was a Colombian defender who had a promising future in football. Escobar played for Atlético Nacional for most of his career and was included in Colombia's squads for the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. Colombia arrived at the 1994 tournament as favorites to win their group, but they shockingly ended in the last place of Group A and were eliminated in the first round. In a match against the United States, Escobar accidentally pushed the ball into his own goal, giving the Americans an advantage (the match ended 2-1 for the U.S.) Months after the Cup, Escobar was murdered in Colombia. It is widely believed that the murderers were upset about the own goal, especially because they were drug lords who had lost money from betting on the match. The tragedy highlighted the violent conditions in the country back then.

From Quiz Least Likely To Win: Ten World Cup Underdogs

Answer: Cameroon

The 1990 World Cup was held in Italy and is infamously known as one of the World cups with the fewest goals in modern history. Cameroon was part of Group B alongside Romania, the Soviet Union, and Argentina (winners of the previous World Cup in Mexico). The Cameroonians were not among the favorites to even make it past the group stage, but that changed in their shocking 1-0 win over Argentina in their first match of the tournament. By also beating Romania and through a lucky combination of other scores in the group, Cameroon qualified for the knockout stage as the leader of Group B even after suffering a 4-0 loss against the Soviet Union. The "Indomitable Lions" surprised the world again when they beat Colombia by 2-1 in a round of 16 match where all three goals were scored at extra time. Striker Roger Milla scored both of Cameroon's goals within two minutes! Unfortunately for the Cameroonians, their journey came to an end in a heart-stopping match against England. Cameroon was ahead at one point by 2-1, but two late penalty kick goals scored by Gary Lineker sealed England's win.

From Quiz Who Remembers The Bronze Medallist?

Answer: Croatia

Formerly a part of Yugoslavia, Croatia became a recognized independent country in 1992. Their biggest star in the 1998 world cup was Davor Suker who was also the tournament's top scorer with six goals in seven games.

From Quiz FIFA World Cup Top 4 Places 1978-2014

Answer: Netherlands

If Dutch forward Rob Resenbrink's shot in the final minute of regulation time did not hit the upright, the Netherlands would have won their first-ever World Cup.

From Quiz FIFA World Cup Top 4 Places 1930-1974

Answer: USA

Only thirteen nations took part in the first ever World Cup. Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the Final. USA finished third which was their best ever result.

From Quiz We Are The Champions

Answer: Uruguay

Two years before, at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, Uruguay beat Argentina 2-1 (in a replay as the teams had played out a 1-1 draw). The same teams contested the first World Cup Final, and the same team won. Yugoslavia and USA were the losing semi-finalists (there was no 3rd place match) The 13 teams were: They were Belgium, France, Romania, Yugoslavia, Uruguay, the host, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, the U.S. and Mexico. The competition expanded from 16 to 24 teams for Spain 1982, and to 32 teams for 1998 France.

From Quiz World Cup Runners-Up

Answer: Argentina

Uruguay had trailed 1-2 at the half time, but in the end they managed to win. The following day was declared a national holiday in the country. Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires a rabble threw stones at the Uruguayan consulate.

From Quiz Up! Up! Grab the Cup

Answer: Uruguay

Argentina and Uruguay were the finalists in the first World Cup. Argentina was dominant in the first half but the Uruguayans were encouraged and mobilised by their captain's half-time talk. The team rose to the occasion, restored their lead and with one minute remaining Hector Castro made it clear that the Uruguayans would be the first team to rise up, up to take the Cup. Football's most coveted prize was proudly held by Nasazzi as the team players cried for joy.

From Quiz World Cup Firsts

Answer: Valdemar de Brito (Brazil, 1934 in Italy)

Valdemar de Brito will remain in football history for two things: he was the first player to ever miss a penalty at the World Cup (in the game lost against Spain 1-3) and he was the one who discovered and mentored the great Pele.

From Quiz A Few Interesting Topics About FIFA World Cup

Answer: Hungary won 10-1 and scored most goals in a single match.

The match was the second game of Group 3 and was played at El Nuevo Estadio in Elche. Hungary was a very good team, in fact it had already played two World Cup Finals (in 1938 and 1954 losing both of them). On the other hand Spain 1982 was El Salvador's second appearance at the World Cup finals (the other one had been in Mexico 1970), and it was also one of the weakiest teams of the Cup. El Salvador lost the match 10-1. The previous record score of 9-0 was achieved twice: Hungary v South Korea (1954) and Yugoslavia v Zaire (1974).

From Quiz History of the World Cup [2]

Answer: 2nd place

Sweden lost 5-2 to Brazil in the final. The legend Pele scored twice in the second half to clinch the final, despite going a goal down in the 4th minute. This final set Pele's reputation.

From Quiz History of the World Cup [3]

Answer: Mario Kempes

He scored six goals in total, including one in the final. Argentina won the final 3-1 on their home soil. Ramon Quiroga was a Peruvian goalkeeper.

From Quiz History of the World Cup [1]

Answer: Uruguay

The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930; it was chosen because it had been Olympic football champion in 1924. Uruguay eventually went on to win it, beating Argentina 2-1. Hector Castro scored the winning goal in the last minute of the final.

From Quiz FIFA World Cup Statistics

Answer: 559

Switzerland's 559 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal was broken when Mark González scored in 75th minute for Chile in South Africa 2010 (the second game of the tournament). They had played four games at the 2002 World Cup without condeding a goal (they went out on penalties vs. Ukraine).

From Quiz FIFA World Cup Mixed Bag

Answer: 1990

West Germany in 1990 became the first European team to beat a South American team (Argentina) in a WC final.

From Quiz World Cup Team Nicknames

Answer: South Africa

As the host country South Africa was the only team automatically qualified for the 2010 World Cup.

From Quiz History of the FIFA World Cup

Answer: 2-1

Brazil went on to get all the way to the final, losing 3-0 to hosts France, while Scotland were eliminated in the group stage.

From Quiz World Cup History [2]

Answer: France

Despite the threat of war in Europe, France was chosen to host the third World Cup.

From Quiz World Cup History [1]

Answer: Uruguay

Uruguay were the hosts of the first ever World Cup, one that most European teams refused to enter, even though the hosts agreed to pay all traveling and hotel expenses for the competing teams.

From Quiz World Cup

Answer: Brazil 4-1 Italy

It was 4-1 to Brazil with Carlos Alberto scoring the winner and one of the greatest goals.

From Quiz World Cup Winners [2]

Answer: Brazil

Pele shone for Brazil and this great side beat Italy 4-1.

From Quiz World Cup Winners [1]

Answer: Uruguay

Argentina came in 1930. In the first half, when Argentina were using their own ball, they were 2-1 up. But when Uruguay used their own ball, they won 4-2.

From Quiz Superstars of the World Cup

Answer: The goalkeeper voted the best in the tournament

Lev Yashin wore the shirt number 1. The late and great Lev Yashin was the best goalkeeper of all-time. His fantastic performances earned him 75 caps for the Soviet Union winning the 1956 Olympic gold.

From Quiz A Short History of the FIFA World Cup

Answer: 1930

The first ever FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. It was organised by FIFA president Jules Rimet. The final was between Uruguay and Argentina, with Uruguay winning 4-2.

From Quiz World Cup Young Player Award

Answer: No one

The cup is every four years, and the next World Cup wasn't until 2002.

From Quiz History of the World Cup

Answer: Hungary

Italy won the final 4-2 to beat Hungary. The semi-finals were between Hungary v Sweden 5-1, and Italy v Brazil 2-1. France were the hosts in 1938.

From Quiz World Cup Firsts!

Answer: Uruguay

Uruguay was also the host of the tournament. It was held in 1930.

From Quiz The Greatest Show On Earth

Answer: Salvatore Schillachi

The Italian scored 6 goals at the finals which were also held in Italy.

From Quiz World Cup Upsets

Answer: Belo Horizonte

This was the USA's only victory in the tournament, going down to Chile and group winnners Spain in their other two matches.

From Quiz FIFA World Cup History

Answer: Salvatore Schillachi

"Toto" wasn't even going to make the squad, but fortunately enough for his country he scored six goals to win the Golden Boot and lead Italy to 3rd place.

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Last Updated Oct 25 2025 5:44 AM

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