About This Quiz
"The thing about soccer - the important thing about soccer - is that it is not just about soccer." - Terry PratchettÂ
Rules, teamwork, and sportsmanship; so many things go into a game of soccer, and to make it as a referee, especially as a World Cup referee, it is important to understand all aspects of the game. Do you think you could fake your way as a World Cup referee? We've put this quiz together to help you find out.Â
The World Cup is the highest stage for a soccer player. It's the Super Bowl of the soccer world. It's when the dreams of players finally culminate in an opportunity to win a championship, as the best soccer players in the world are pitted against one another. It's also the height of the profession for a soccer referee. For a soccer referee to be chosen for the World Cup, it means they have put in a significant amount of work to make sure they are doing their job at the highest level.Â
Are you capable of doing a referee's job at that same level? Can you handle the pressure of ensuring the greatest team in the world wins? If you think you can, take this quiz and prove it!Â
Star players, of course, do impact the game. After all, it's obvious when one player is head and shoulders above the others.
The first World Cup took place in 1930. Thirteen teams entered the tournament.
The closest Russia has come to winning a World Cup is fourth place in 1966. Their first year in the tournament was 1958.
Advertisement
Uruguay has only won one additional World Cup since 1930. That occurred in 1950, when Brazil hosted the tournament.
Italy and Germany are behind Brazil for the most World Cup titles. They each have four.
Soccer is definitely a team sport. Many times, the greatest players don't win championships.
Advertisement
Brazil has never won a World Cup at home. The team has won titles in Chile, Mexico and the United States.
No team has more losses in the World Cup than Mexico. They've lost 25 times.
Oleg Salenko's five goals came during the 1994 World Cup against Cameroon. Russia won the game 6-1.
Advertisement
No Asian team has ever won the World Cup. The first Asian team to compete in the World Cup was Indonesia in 1938.
The World Cup has been hosted in Europe 11 times. The 2018 World Cup is the first time it has been hosted in Eastern Europe.
Oleg Salenko holds the record for most goals in a World Cup match with five. He played for Russia.
Advertisement
Germany defeated Argentina in the final 1-0 in 2014. With the tournament hosted by Brazil, this was the first time a European team won in the Americas.
2014 was also the first time Germany won a World Cup since the country was reunified in 1990. Their previous title came in 1990 as West Germany.
The 2002 World Cup was hosted by South Korea and Japan. This was the first time two countries hosted the tournament.
Advertisement
Uruguay hosted the first World Cup. They also won the tournament, with Argentina coming in second place.
Indonesia only played one game in the 1938 World Cup. They were eliminated by Hungary after a 6-0 loss.
2018 will be the 21st World Cup. Russia will be hosting the tournament.
Advertisement
Germany's first World Cup was in 1954. They also won the last World Cup in 2014.
The United States has never won a World Cup. They have made 10 appearances, though.
South Korea has the most World Cup appearances of any Asian country with 10. The country's first appearance was in 1954.
Advertisement
Mexico has appeared in 16 World Cups. Their best finishes were in 1970 and 1986 when they made it to the quarter-finals.
In 2014, Lionel Messi received the Golden Ball award. This award is given to the most outstanding player in the World Cup finals.
South Korea's best finish in the World Cup came in 2002. The team finished in fourth place, as Brazil won the title that year.
Advertisement
The closest the U.S. has come to winning a World Cup was third place. That occurred in the first World Cup in 1930.
Italy won its first World Cup in 1934, the team's first year in the tournament. Their latest World Cup was in 2006.
Soccer games can end in a draw, unlike many other sports. No team has had more draws in the World Cup than Italy with 21.
Advertisement
Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after losing a playoff game to Sweden. This was the first time they didn't make the World Cup since 1958.
Lionel Messi plays for Argentina. He's the country's all-time leading goalscorer.
Brazil has the most World Cup titles with five. This is partly because they've played in every World Cup since it started.
Advertisement
Prior to 2018, Russia had never hosted a World Cup. They also have never won a World Cup.
Austria and Switzerland had the highest scoring World Cup in 1954. The final score was 7-5.
Soccer is by far the most watched sport in the world. In 2014, over 3 billion people watched the World Cup.
Advertisement
Germany's Manuel Neuer was awarded the Golden Glove award after the 2014 World Cup finals. This award is given to the tournament's most outstanding goalkeeper.