A to Z of World Cup Trivia

Cruyff

Euebio

Fontaine

Do you know your Azzurri from your Zidane? Well here’s your essential A to Z guide of fascinating World Cup facts to bore your mates with down the pub.

A is for ANGOLA

The Black Antelopes are one of the countries making their World Cup debuts in Germany, others being Cote d’Ivorie (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo and Trinidad & Tobago. Serbia and Montenegro, Ukraine and the Czech Republic also appear for the first time under their current names.

B is for BERLIN

The 2006 World Cup Final will be held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 9.

C is for CRUYFF

Dutch master Johan Cruyff may have only appeared in one World Cup, but was undoubtedly the star for the ‘Clockwork Oranje’ in Germany in 1974.

D is for DISMISSALS

Three players were given their matching orders in the so called ‘Battle of Berne’ between Brazil and Hungary at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland. Players from both sides were later involved in a dressing-room brawl.

E is for EUSEBIO da SILVA FERREIRA

Known by the playing name of Eusébio, nicknamed The Black Pearl and The Black Panther, he is a Portuguese football icon. Considered to be one of the great all-time players, Eusébio was the leading scorer in the 1966 World Cup where he scored nine goals, including four against North Korea.

F is for FONTAINE

France’s Just Fontaine still holds the record number of goals in a single World Cup. He notched 13 in the 1958 tournament.

G is for GOLDEN BALL

No, nothing to do with David Beckham. The adidas Golden Ball is awarded to the player of the finals. Voted for by media representatives, previous winners include Oliver Kahn, Ronaldo, Salvatore Schillaci and Diego Maradona.

H is for HAND OF GOD

Diego Maradona punched Argentina into a controversial lead against England in the 1986 finals with his now infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal. His sensational second goal was simply down to his God-given talent.

I is for INDIA

India refused to play at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil because FIFA told them they could not play barefoot.

J is for JAIRZINHO

The magical Brazilian is one of only two players to have scored in every round of a World Cup. The Botafogo legend achieved this feat in the 1970 tournament, which Brazil went on to win.

K is for DER KAISER

Franz Beckenbauer – where do you start? The greatest German player of all time and one of only two men to have a full World Cup collection of bronze, silver and gold. In Italia ‘90 he became one of only two men to have won the World Cup as a player and a coach when he guided his country to victory against Argentina in the final.

L is for LINEKER

BBC sports presenter Gary Lineker was the Golden Boot winner at the 1986 finals in Mexico with six goals.

MullerM is for MULLER

German striker Gerd Muller is the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer with 14, including the winner against Holland in the 1974 final.

N is for Edson Arantes Do NASCIMENTO

Or better known as Pele. The greatest footballer ever, the Brazilian legend is the only player to have won the World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

0 is for OLEG

As in Oleg Salenko, the Russian striker who holds the record for the most goals in one World Cup game. He scored five times against Cameroon in the 1994 tournament as Russia won the group game 6-1. Roger Milla scored for the Africans.

P is for PENALTIES

A true test of nerve or a lottery? Opinions remain divided over the penalty shoot-out. Just don’t ask Stuart Pearce, Chris Waddle, David Batty, Roberto Baggio or Franco Baresi to take one!

Q is for QUITO

Look it up on a map. No team fancies visiting the Ecuadorian capital city. Helped by the thin air, Ecuador have turned their high altitude home ground into a fortress. Both Brazil and Argentina lost there in qualifying.

R is for RUSSIAN LINESMAN

Or Tofik Bakhramov, who is in fact from Azerbaijan. Fondly remembered by England fans after he famously convinced the referee in the 1966 final that a Geoff Hurst shot had bounced down off the underside of the crossbar, and over the line. TV replays show it had not.

S is for SOUTH AFRICA

The World Cup ventures to the African continent for the first time in 2010 when South Africa hosts the finals.

T is for TOTAL FOOTBALL

Perhaps the greatest team never to have won the World Cup was the Dutch vintage of 1974. Inspired by Johan Cruyff, the Netherlands’ brand of ‘Total Football’ helped them reach the final in West Germany but they lost to the hosts – after taking the lead in the first minute from the penalty spot.

U is for URUGUAY

Hosted and won the inaugural World Cup back in 1930. Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the final and won the trophy again in Brazil 20 years later when the competition next returned to South America.

V is for VALDERRAMA

Colombia’s most capped footballer ever and known throughout the world for his eccentric afro hairstyle. Could play a bit too – twice voted South American Player of the Year.

W is for WINNERS

Only one of the seven nations to have won the World Cup – two-time winners Uruguay – have failed to qualify for Germany this year. Previous winners Italy, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, France and England have all made it.

ZidaneX is for X-RATED

Perhaps the most famous ‘tackle’ in World Cup history is German goalkeeper Harald ‘Toni’ Schumacher’s X-rated challenge on Patrick Battiston. The Frenchman was knocked unconscious, no foul was given and Schumacher was subsequently the hero as West Germany won the 1982 semi-final on penalties.

Y is for YUGOSLAVIA

Were banned from the 1994 finals because of international sanctions due to the Yugoslav wars. Former Yugoslav republics Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro have both qualified for Germany.

Z is for ZIDANE

Frenchman Zinedine Zidane became a national hero after netting twice in the 1998 final against Brazil in Paris. France won 3-0.