The origin of the game ‘Football’ predates the recorded history. Documented evidence, a manual of Chinese military during the Han Dynasty in about 2nd century BC, describes an organized activity resembling football. It was known as ‘Cuju’ (Tsu Chu), which involved kicking a leather ball through a hole in a piece of silk cloth strung between two 30 foot poles.
INTRODUCTION OF FOOTBALL
The origin of the game ‘Football’ predates the recorded history. Documented evidence, a manual of Chinese military during the Han Dynasty in about 2nd century BC, describes an organized activity resembling football. It was known as ‘Cuju’ (Tsu Chu), which involved kicking a leather ball through a hole in a piece of silk cloth strung between two 30 foot poles.
History of Football
The modern rules of football are based on the mid-19th century efforts to standardise the widely varying forms of football played at the public schools of England.
The Cambridge Rules, first drawn up at Cambridge University in 1848, were particularly influential in the development of subsequent codes, including association football. The Cambridge Rules were written at Trinity College, Cambridge, at a meeting attended by representatives from Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Winchester and Shrewsbury schools. They were not universally adopted. During the 1850s, many clubs unconnected to schools or universities were formed throughout the English-speaking world, to play various forms of football. Some came up with their own distinct codes of rules, most notably the Sheffield Football Club, formed by former public school pupils in 1857,[which led to formation of a Sheffield FA in 1867. In 1862, John Charles Thring of Uppingham School also devised an influential set of rules.These ongoing efforts contributed to the formation of The Football Association (The FA) in 1863, which first met on the morning of 26 October 1863 at the Freemasons' Tavern in Great Queen Street, London. The only school to be represented on this occasion was Charterhouse. The Freemason's Tavern was the setting for five more meetings between October and December, which eventually produced the first comprehensive set of rules. At the final meeting, the first FA treasurer, the representative from Blackheath, withdrew his club from the FA over the removal of two draft rules at the previous meeting: the first allowed for running with the ball in hand; the second for obstructing such a run by hacking (kicking an opponent in the shins), tripping and holding. Other English rugby football clubs followed this lead and did not join the FA, or subsequently left the FA and instead in 1871 formed the Rugby Football Union. The eleven remaining clubs, under the charge of Ebenezer Cobb Morley, went on to ratify the original thirteen laws of the game. These rules included handling of the ball by "marks" and the lack of a crossbar, rules which made it remarkably similar to Victorian rules football being developed at that time in Australia. The Sheffield FA played by its own rules until the 1870s with the FA absorbing some of its rules until there was little difference between the games.The laws of the game are currently determined by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The Board was formed in 1886 after a meeting in Manchester of The Football Association, the Scottish Football Association, the Football Association of Wales, and the Irish Football Association. The world's oldest football competition is the FA Cup, which was founded by C. W. A clock and has been contested by English teams since 1872. The first official international football match took place in 1872 between Scotland and England in Glasgow, again at the instigation of C. W. Alcock. England is home to the world's first football league, which was founded in Birmingham in 1888 by Aston Villa director William Mc Gregor The original format contained 12 clubs from the Midlands and the North of England. FIFA, the international football body, was formed in Paris in 1904 and declared that they would adhere to Laws of the Game of the Football Association.He growing popularity of the international game led to the admittance of FIFA representatives to the International Football Association Board in 1913. The board currently consists of four representatives from FIFA and one representative from each of the four British associations.
Today, football is played at a professional level all over the world. Millions of people regularly go to football stadiums to follow their favorite’s teams, hale billions more watch the game on television or on the internet. A very large number of people also play football at an amateur level. According to a survey conducted by FIFA published in 2001, over 240 million people from more than 200 countries regularly play football. While football has the highest global television audience in sport, its simple rules and minimal equipment requirements at amateur level, have no doubt aided its growth in terms of participation.In many parts of the world football evokes great passions and plays an important role in the life of individual fans, local communities, and even nations. The Côte d'Ivoire national football team helped secure a truce to the nation's civil war in 2006 and it helped further reduce tensions between government and rebel forces in 2007 by playing a match in the rebel capital of Bouaké, an occasion that brought both armies together peacefully for the first time. By contrast, football is widely considered to be the final proximate cause in the Football War in June 1969 between El Salvador and Honduras. The sport also exacerbated tensions at the beginning of the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, when a match between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade devolved into rioting in March 1990.
ORIGIN OF FOOTBALL
The Origins of football can be found in every corner of the Globe. Civilizations throughout history all played ball games and many of these can be considered forerunners to the modern game, which was established in England in the late nineteenth century.
Ball games were first played in Egypt as early as 1800 BCE. However there are claims that suggest ball games were played even earlier in Ancient China, maybe as early as 2500 BCE. There is evidence to show that ball games in Egypt were linked to fertility rites and religious ceremonies. These ball games involved large numbers of people and records indicate that these games were sometimes used as an exercise to till the soil. In addition to the Egyptians; the Greeks, Romans and Chinese (as well as others) all played football games, which are considered to be the forerunners of modern football.
RULES AND RELUGATIONS OF FOOTBALL
The rules of football can be complex and vary depending on the level of play. We will cover some of the basics here including the field, players, offense, defense, and penalties.
Football Field
The football field is 120 yards long and 53 ½ yards wide. At each end of the field and 100 yards apart are the goal lines. The additional 10 yards at each end is the end zone. The field is divided up every 5 yards by a yard line. The middle yard line marker is called the 50 yard line. In parallel to the side lines are rows of hash marks. The football is always placed on or between the hash marks at the start of each play. This ensures that the teams have space to line up on both sides of the football. The position of the football that defines the sides of the ball is called the "line of scrimmage".
There are also goal posts at the back of each football end zone. One way to score is to kick the football through the goal posts. The ball must go between the uprights and over the crossbar.
If any part of a player with the football touches outside the side lines or the end zone this is considered Out of Bounds.
Game format
Football is a timed sport. The team with the most points at the end of the time period wins the game. The game is divided up into 4 periods or quarters with a long "half time" between the second and third quarter. Time is counted while plays are running and sometimes between plays (i.e. time continues after a running play where the player was tackled in bounds, but stops on an incomplete pass). To keep the game going at a good pace the offense has a limited time (called the play clock) between plays.
Foottball Players
The rules in football allow each team to have 11 players on the field at a time. Teams may substitute players between plays with no restrictions. Each team must start a play on their side of the ball.
The defensive players may take any position they want and can move about their side of the football prior to the play without restriction. Although there are certain defensive positions that have become common over time, there are no specific rules defining defensive positions or roles.
The offensive players, however, have several rules that define their position and what role they may take in the offense. Seven offensive players must be lined up on the line of scrimmage. The other four players must be lined up at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage. All of the offensive football players must be set, or still, prior to the play beginning with the exception of one of the 4 backs which may be moving parallel or away from the line of scrimmage. Further rules say that only the 4 backs and the players at each end of the line of scrimmage may catch a pass or run the football.
The Football Play
The team with the possession of the football is called the offense. The offense tries to advance the football on plays. The defense tries to prevent the offense from scoring or advancing the football. The down system: The offense must advance the ball at least 10 yards every four plays or downs. Each time the offense is successful in advancing the ball 10 yards, they get four more downs or what is called a "first down". If the offense does not get 10 yards in four plays, the other team gains possession of the football at the current line of scrimmage. In order to keep the other team from getting good field position the offense can punt (kick) the ball to the other team intentionally. This is often done on 4th down, when the offense is outside of field goal range. Offensive plays on downs start with a snap. This is when the center passes the football between their legs to one of the offensive backs (usually the quarterback). The ball is advanced either by running with the football (called rushing) or passing the football. The football play is over when 1) the player with the football is tackled or goes out of bounds 2) an incomplete pass 3) there is a score.
The offensive team can lose possession of the football by:
· Scoring
· Not getting 10 yards in four downs.
· Fumbling or dropping the football and the defensive team recovers it.
· Throwing the football to a defensive player for an interception.
· Punting, or kicking, the football to the defensive team.
· Missing a field goal.
. Getting tackled in the end zone for a safety.
Football Penalties
There are many rules and penalties that are enforced during a football game. Most football penalties result in a loss or gain of yardage depending on whether the penalty is against the offense or the defense. The severity of the penalty determines the number of yards. Most penalties are 5 or 10 yards, but some personal foul penalties result in 15 yards. Also, pass interference can result in a penalty that matches the length of the intended pass. The team that did not commit the penalty has the right to decline the penalty. We won't list or detail ever possible football infraction, but here are some of the more common football penalties:
False Start: When a football player on the offense moves just prior to the snap. This is a five yard penalty. Note that one back on the offense can legally be "in motion" at the time of the snap.
Offside: If a player from the offense or defense is on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap. A defensive player can cross the line of scrimmage as long as they get back before the snap, but if they touch an offensive player they can be called for encroachment.
Holding: When a player grabs a football player without the ball with the hands or hooks him or tackles him.
Pass Interference: When a defender contacts a pass receiver after the ball is in the air to prevent him from catching the ball. This is up to the referee to determine. If the contact is before the ball is in the air it will be called defensive holding. Note that pass interference can also be called on the offense if the defender has position and is trying to catch the ball.
Facemask: To protect the football players, it is illegal to grab another player's facemask.
Roughing the passer or kicker: To protect kickers and quarterbacks, who are very vulnerable when they are passing or kicking the ball, players are not allowed to run into them after the ball has been thrown or kicked.
Intentional Grounding: When the passer throws a pass nowhere near an eligible receiver strictly to avoid being sacked.
Ineligible Receiver Downfield: When one of the offensive players that is not an eligible receiver is more than 5 yards downfield from the line of scrimmage during a forward pass
PLAYERS POSITION IN FOOTBALL
Football players tend to be specialized in their roles on the team, especially offensive football players. Some players have managed to play multiple positions on offense and defense even at the professional level, but this rarely happens.
Football player positions on the offense:
Offensive Line: The heart of the football offense is made up the offensive line. The main job of the offensive line is to block for the quarterback and running backs. This sound simple, but offensive lineman must be prepared for all sorts of stunts and tricks thrown at them from the defense. They must also be able to stand and block for a pass play (pass blocking) or push the defense a certain way to create holes for a run play (run blocking). Offensive linemen run plays and move blocks around to fool the defense in order to keep defenders off of the players with the football. Offensive linemen tend to be big and strong. Without a strong offensive line, the rest of the football team will struggle.
There are five positions that make up the offensive line:
The center - In the middle of the offensive line, the center snaps the football to the quarterback.
Right and left Guard - these are the two offensive linemen on either side of the center.
Right and left Tackle - the two offensive linemen next to the guards.
Tight end : The tight ends line up just outside the Tackles. A football team may have one, two, or no tight ends in the game at a given time. Tight ends are combination offensive linemen and receivers. They often help block just like the O-line, but they also go out for passes. Tight ends need to be big, strong, fast, and have good hands.
Wide Receivers: These football players line up on or near the line of scrimmage, but usually far away from where the ball is placed. These players main job is to get open and catch passes. The main skill of wide receivers is the ability to catch the football and speed. Some wide receivers are small and exceptionally fast, while other wide receivers are fast, but taller and use their size and height to catch the football over defenders.
Running Backs: These football players line up in the backfield. Their main job is to carry the football, but running backs also need to block during pass plays. Full backs are a type of running back whose main job is to block. They usually run in front and block for another running back that is carrying the football. Running backs are usually strong, fast, and able to see the field and quickly cut toward openings in the defense. Running backs also are receivers and often catch several passes during a football game.
Quarterback: The quarterback is the player who gets the ball from the center and runs the play. The quarterback may run with the ball, hand it off to a running back, or pass the football to a receiver. Quarterbacks need to be good passers, be able to see the field, read the defense, and make good decisions quickly.
Football player positions on the defense:
Football teams run all sorts of defensive schemes and formations. Defensive players must be able to react to the offense and play both the run and the pass. On any given play, a defender may have a different job, but we will describe the typical positions and defensive football players.
Defensive Line: The make up of the defensive line can change from football team to football team as well as from play to play. The defensive line plays at the line of scrimmage just opposite the offensive line. Their main job is to stop the surge of the offensive linemen on a rushing play and to get to the passer on a pass play. There are usually three to five players on a defensive line including:
Nose Guard: A defensive lineman that plays at the center of the D-line right at the ball. The nose guard is a big, strong player who can clog up the middle and make it hard for the offensive team to run the ball.
Defensive Tackles: Similar to the nose guard (or instead of the nose guard), these football players are the inside force of the defensive line.
Defensive Ends: These football players play outside the tackles. Their main job is to rush the passer and to keep any rushing plays contained from getting outside. These players are big and strong, but also fast so they can get around the outside and to the quarterback.
Linebackers: The linebackers make up the next line of defense. Linebackers are usually the main tacklers on the defense. They plug holes in the defensive line when rushers try to get through. They also do some pass coverage of running backs and tight ends. Some teams use three linebackers and some four. There is usually a middle linebacker who calls out defensive formations and plays depending on the offensive set up. Linebackers must be fast and good tacklers.
Cornerbacks: These football players cover the wide receivers and try to prevent them from catching a pass. They also help out on run plays that get passed the linebackers.
Safety: Safeties are there to prevent the big play. At least one safety tries to stay behind the wide receivers if they should pass the cornerbacks. Safeties also help the linebackers out on run plays.
Football player positions on the special teams:
Special teams is an oft overlooked, but very important part of winning football games. Special teams play on kick-offs, punts, extra points, and field goals.
Punter: The punter is the kicker who kicks punts. A good punt will be long and high to allow for the tacklers to get downfield. A good punter will also be able to control his distance and to stop the ball inside the 20 yard line.
Field Goal kicker: This player kicks field goals and extra points. Accuracy is key here. This football player usually kicks the kick-off as well where distance is the main goal.
Place Holder: The player that holds the ball for the field goal kicker.
Long Snapper: The center who snaps the ball to the punter. This is a special skill and is often not the same player as the center.
HISTORY AND FOOTBALL IN NEPAL
The entry and initial start up of football game in Nepal during Rana regime in 1921. The game was introduced in Nepal by the young players who had learnt this game from other countries. This game was watched by a huge mass of audience and became very famous at that time. However, it is believed that the pioneer of this game in Nepal was Mr. Narayan Narshingh Rana of Thamel and Chandrajung Thapa of Naxal. There were some places, which were used as football ground for palace teams, such as Mrigendra Shamsher Niwas babarmahal, Mahabir Niwas Tangal palace, Nar shamsher Niwas Singhdarbar, Rudra Shamsher Niwas Bhahadur Bhavan, and Thamel Narsingh camp,. Whereas in the decade of 130s, both local and palace teams commonly used the grounds of Singhdarbar, Chhauni, Gaucharan, Jawalakhel and Lainchaur for playing football. Despite of political instability at that time football was yet played enthusiastically during 1921 to 1990 by various teams without goal post, but the criteria was that the opponent team could follow the ball to the goal line. Sometimes, they used to play football on the bet of 100/200-castrated goat.
The teams like Mahabir-11, N R T-11, Jawalakhel-11, and Public Institute-11 were established in 1934. The football tournament was organized for the first time in institutional way in 1934. in which 12 teams had participated. In that tournament, the team of Jawalakhel club led by Narshumsher had secured first position. At that time, the chief of Public team Mr. Najarman Singh told that his team had got support and encouragement from Trichandra campus and audience.
Although that tournament was a grand success, due to various reasons the government decreed to ban the game but yet it was played inside and outside the palace in secret way. The game was played very enthusiastically due to which the number of participants increased drastically and hence complaints about banning the game were sent to the palace. The advisor Mr. Rishikesh Shah had advised that the organization should solve the problem of game themselves, which was very popular western democratic tradition. Shri 3 Padma Shumsher decreed to follow it and accordingly a football committee was formed under the president of General Mr. Madan Shumsher at first time in 1947 and members were Mr. Basant Shamsher and Mr. Mrigendra Shumsher.
In 1947, Tribhuvan Challenge Shield was introduced by late H. M. King Tribhuvan for the development of this football game which was organized at Tudikhel in front of Haribhavan. In that tournament Naresh-11team led by Nar Shumsher secured first position and N. R. T. team secured second position. In the same year Shree 3 Padma Shumsher introduced "Ramjanaki cup" which was continuously won thrice by Police Force team. The same cup was again introduced but was renamed as Marty's Memorial League football and hence League matches were introduced in Nepal.
In the year 1947, nationwide rebellion for Democracy started which led to a break in football game for sometime but after the success of the tournament the interest of public in football was again the same. Thus for establishing football game in an organized way in Nepal, football association was established in the year 1951 The first Chairman of the association was General Nar Shumsher J. B. R. Similarly, the secretary Dr. Trailokya Nath Upreti and Janaki Prasad were elected as treasurer. This football association used to organize football in a regular way in front of Billiard Hall of Singh Durbar in ground making Parafeet.
In the year 1951, Tribhuvan Challenge Shield knock-out football tournament was organized in which the team of Jaleshwor-11 bagged the shield. Police force team secured 1st position and N. R. T. second in the Marty's Memorial League tournament organized in the same year. Balsakha Dal introduced a new shield called Devi Maya Memorial Shield in the year 1952 and in 1953 Sankata Boys Sports team won the shield. Other tournaments of football were played in Singh Durbar itself up to the year 1953 Although the construction of Dasharath Stadium had started just before the coronation of H. M. King Mahendra but football match was played there too on the occasion of coronation of H. M. King Mahendra.
After the construction of Dasharath Stadium football matches were played there regularly since 1959. In the year 1959 a memorable event of a football match between the teams King-11 and Primeminister-11 which was charity match held at Dasharath Stadium. In that match Late H. M. King Mahendra had played in the team King-11 and the then first elected Prime Minister B. P. Koirala played for the Prime minister-11 team. Similarly from the year 1961, Mahendra Goldcup football tournament has been being organized in Biratnagar.
After that, from the year 1968 Nar Trophy Football tournament was introduced on the name of the president of Nepal Football Association Mr. Mar Shumsher Rana with the view of respecting him who had contributed a lot in the development of football game. In order to respect the player who contributed to develop the standard of football the title of Best player was introduced in 1968 by football association and the Best Player was awarded with a gold medal. The title of Best Player and the gold medal was bagged by Baburam Pun whereas in 1978 Ganesh Thapa got the same. Similarly in the year 1981 and 1982 Rupak Raj Sharma and Suresh Panthi got the title and the medal respectively. Hence, total four players got the title of Best Player and the gold medal.
Due to various reasons, football game wasn't organized in a regular manner at that time and hence the Football association was re-established by National Games association in 1973 and Federation of Nepal football association was established. First of all, the Federation of Nepal Football Association had been continuing the League-cum Knockout Birthday Anniversary Football Tournament on the occasion of birthday of H. M. King since 1973 and other tournaments also in regular and organized way.
Although Nepal had been playing football with the teams of various neighboring countries and friendly countries but the necessity to invite countries for competitive matches in Nepal was realized only in 1979 and hence ANFA cup football match was introduced. In the first match of ANFA cup Kathmandu-11 team was the winner which was held in Chaitra. To encourage young players Federation of Nepal Football Association started ANFA President Shield in the year 1981 in which Three Star club secured the first position.
The year 1982 was even more important for the development of football. In that year 23rd Asian youth football tournament (group 1) was organized for the first time in Nepal in which the teams of Nepal, India, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arab, Oman, Bahrain, Yemen A. R., Pakistan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Yemen P. D. R. and Syria had participated. Hence, there were altogether 13 different participating countries.
With the view of promoting football throughout the country, A.N.F. Association started organizing football matches from 1982 in four development regions in next year. With the view of developing the standard of football it was realized that training about football game was needed and hence a training program was organized in 1982 from 17th Bhadra to 29th Bhadra named International Olympic Sole Directive football training. In this training 25 students were trained by the trainers of FIFA. In the year 2003, for the first time Women's football tournament was organized from 5th Bhadra to 11th Bhadra.
In the year 1970 A.D. Nepal became member of FIFA. And hence Nepal's football game can be divided into 3 stages. The first stage was from 1977 to 1983 when football game had made an early in Nepal and was played for entertainment. The second stage was from 1947 to 1973, which stage was regarded as a revolutionary stage in the history of football in Nepal. And the third stage is regarded from the year 1973 till now when football game has been improved, modernized, commercialized and even Nepali players have been able to occupy place in International football standards.
NEPAL POLICE CLUB
Nepal Police Club formerly known as Mahendra Police Club is departmental police football club of Nepal. They currently play in the top division of the country.
History
Established five decades ago and named after King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Mahendra Police Club has been part of the new Nepal League since its inception in 2003.The club finished runners-up in the 2004-05 season and were third last year.
Year 2007
The year 2007 has been the most successful year for Mahendra Police Club. They started well in the 2006-07 season with a perfect blend of experienced and amateur players and clinched the Martyr's Memorial A-Division League title. MPC, who have won all Nepalese knock-out tournaments till date, have solid a backline led by experienced national defender Rakesh Shrestha with young but experienced Ritesh Thapa under the bar. Another national team veteran Hari Khadka, former national midfielder Ananta Thapa, Jumanu Rai and Ramesh Budhathoki hold the key to their fortunes in the AFC President’s Cup. Another achievement of MPC was to be the runners-up in the AFC President's Cup 2007 after creating an upset in the semi-finals by beating Regar Tursunzoda. MPC won US $ 25,000 being the runners-up.
NOTABLE PLAYER PELE
Edison Arantes do Nascimento (born 23 October 1940), best known by his nickname Pele (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: ], usual English pronunciation: is a retired Brazilian football player. He is widely regarded by polls among football experts, former players and fans as the greatest footballer of all time. In his career he scored 760 official goals, 541 in league championships, making him the top scorer of all time. In total he scored 1281 goals in 1363 games. [
In his native Brazil, Pele is hailed as a national hero. He is known for his accomplishments and contributions to the game of football.[ He is also acknowledged for his vocal support of policies to improve the social conditions of the poor (when he scored his 1,000th goal he dedicated it to the poor children of Brazil). During his career, he became known as "The King of Football" (O Rei do Futebol), "The King Pelé" (O Rei Pelé) or simply "The King" .
Spotted by football star Waldemar de Brito, Pelé began playing for Santos at 15 and his national team at 16, and won his first World Cup at 17. Despite numerous offers from European clubs, the economic conditions and Brazilian football regulations at the time benefited Santos, thus enabling them to keep Pelé for almost two decades until 1974. Pelé played as an inside second forward, also known as a playmaker. Pelé's technique and natural athleticism have been universally praised and during his playing years he was renowned for his excellent dribbling and passing, his pace, powerful shot, exceptional heading ability, and prolific goalscoring.
He is the all-time leading scorer of the Brazil national football team and is the only footballer to be a part of three World Cup-winning squads. In 1962 he was on the Brazilian squad at the start of the World Cup but because of an injury suffered in the second match, he was not able to play the remainder of the tournament. In November 2007 FIFA announced that he would be awarded the 1962 medal retroactively, making him the only player in the world to have three World Cup winning medals
NOTABLE NEPALI FOOTBALL PLAYER HARI KHADKA
Full name = Hari Khadka
Date of birth = 1976\3\11
Country of birth = Nepal
Current club = Mahendra Police Club
Position = Striker
Years = 1994/95-2003/04
Clubs = Ranipokhari Corner Team
National team = Nepal
Hari Khadka (born March 11, 1976) is a Nepalese football player.
Club career
Hari Khadka started playing at Ranipokhari Corner Team in 1994, where he stayed for two seasons before joining Indian side Tollygunge Agragami Kolkata. After playing at another two stations in India and Bangladesh, in 1999 he went to play for Atlante, a Mexican first league club. This was quite an unusual step for a Nepalese player, even though Khadka did not play much at this and his second Mexican team before going back to India in 2000. He's currently playing for Nepalese Mahendra Police Club in his home country after another two stations in India and Bangladesh.
International career
Khadka is a member of the Nepal national football team since joining it in the season 1994 / 95. He played in qualifying matches of three world cups when he participated for his country in those of 1998, 2002 and 2006.
WORLD CUP
The FIFA World Cup (also called the Football World Cup, the Soccer World Cup, or simply the World Cup) is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not held because of the Second World War. The current champions are Spain, who won the 2010 tournament, and will defend their title, subject to qualification, at the next tournament, to be held in Brazil.
The current format of the tournament involves 32 teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation(s) over a period of about a month – this phase is often called the World Cup Finals. A qualification phase, which currently takes place over the preceding three years, is used to determine which teams qualify for the tournament together with the host nation(s).
The 19 World Cup tournaments have been won by eight different national teams. Brazil have won five times, and they are the only team to have played in every tournament. The other World Cup winners are Italy, with four titles; Germany, with three titles; Argentina and inaugural winners Uruguay, with two titles each; and England, France, and Spain, with one title each.
The World Cup is the world's most widely viewed sporting event; an estimated 715.1 million people watched the final match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany.
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