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The Fun Facts in every Expanded FIFA World Cup in history

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Every expanded FIFA World Cup in history has always brought new stories and also changes, including in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has completed the draw with 12 groups of four teams. It is the first time in history with 48 qualified sides. The world football governing body has even officially introduced water breaks in each game regardless of the venue, weather or location. 

The upcoming World Cup edition in North America is definitely not the first expanded one. In fact, the tournament has gone through four expansions in history. Each of them brought its own changes and new tales, plus even records. 

Here are each expanded edition of the FIFA World Cup, not the ones with the new competition format, along with the fun facts in each and every one of them.  

Italy 1934

The second edition of the FIFA World Cup was the first expanded one in the tournament's history. It was the first time the qualifier was introduced to determine the contestants, including the host. In the previous edition, the contestants were invited instead of qualified to the final stage. In Uruguay 1930, only 13 teams managed to show up, while in Italy 1934, there were 16 teams sealing the berths in the final round.

Here are some other fun facts about the first expanded FIFA World Cup edition:

- There was no group stage. All 16 teams were drawn into the knockout stage leading to the final. Eight teams were seeded and put separately in the first round. They were the hosts: Italy, Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, Argentina, Germany, Brazil, Hungary and Austria. The reigning champion, Uruguay, opted not to take part as a sign of protest to their European counterparts, which only sent their non-main teams.

-          The competition was infamous for being politically meddled with, as the host national leader, Benito Mussolini, was deemed involved in tampering with the selection of referees for the games in the final four and the final to be in favour of Italy’s glory.

-          The first World Cup edition in which the teams advancing to the final four were all from Europe.

Spain 1982

After more than 4 decades without a change in the participants, FIFA finally decided to expand the contestants in Spain 1982. It was the edition which was meant to help boost Spain’s new era following the end of Francesco Franco’s dictatorship. The world football governing body opted to add up to 24 contestants.

Here are some of the fun facts about Spain 1982:

-          The second round group stage, which had been part of the format since the 1974 edition, was modified with fewer teams and more groups. Four groups consisting of three teams instead of two groups with four teams.

-          Five teams made their debut (Honduras, New Zealand, Kuwait, Algeria and Cameroon).

-          It was the first edition with qualified teams from all six continents.

-          The first penalty shootout in World Cup history took place here in the semifinal when West Germany thumped France after sharing spoils in a 3-3 draw in 120 minutes.

-          Several events during the competition led to the rule changes in football. The disgrace of Gijon was one of them. It pushed FIFA to hold the last games of the group stage at the same time. The brutal foul from Harold Schumacher to Patrick Battisson or Claudion Gentile’s intense marking of Diego Maradona were also considered crucial references by FIFA for the rule change on fouls.

-          The first-time World Cup champion went winless during the group stage.

France 1998

The last expanded edition was France 1998. It was when the participants were added from 24 to 32. It was the first time the World Cup edition produced the new champion. Les Blues was the first nation to lift the trophy since 1966.

Here are some other fun facts about France 1998:

-          The first World Cup draw was held in the stadium. It was held in Stade Velodrome, Marseille.

-          Four nations made their debut: South Africa, Japan, Jamaica and Croatia.

-          The first edition with brand new regulations such as golden goal, electronic board, fourth officials and three substitutions during the match.


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