Features from the archive

FIFA World Cup™

Netherlands giant Noppert scales new heights

Every Monday, FIFA spotlights a World Cup record. This instalment is focused on the tallest player ever to grace the finals.

11/06/78 WORLD CUP 1978.NETHERLANDS v SCOTLAND.ARGENTINA.Archie Gemmill celebrates after netting the winning goal for Scotland (Photo by SNS Group via Getty Images)

1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina™

Scots floor Dutch in bittersweet finale

FIFA looks back on an Archie Gemmill-inspired five-goal thriller in 1978 that took Scotland to within a whisker of eliminating the future finalists.

FIFA World Cup™

Doan dazzles as Japan stun Spain

FIFA looks back at an extraordinary week for Japan as the East Asian power dethroned a pair of former champions to top their Qatar 2022 group.

FIFA World Cup™

Fastest goals by substitutes in World Cup history

See a ranked list of the quickest goals from substitutes in FIFA World Cup history.

FIFA World Cup™

Youngest World Cup-winning players

See a ranked list of the youngest players to become FIFA World Cup™ champions.

Football, 16th June 1938, World Cup Finals, Marseille, France, Semi-Final, Italy 2 v Brazil 1. Italy's Silvio Piola bursts through Brazil's Machado (left) and Domingos during the match. (Photo by Haynes Archive/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

1938 FIFA World Cup France™

Italy’s two-footed goal-getter

Vittorio Pozzo didn’t know if Silvio Piola was better with his right or his left foot. FIFA spotlights the man who fired Italy to 1938 FIFA World Cup glory.

FIFA World Cup™

Players with most substitute appearances in World Cup history

See a ranked list of the players who have made the most FIFA World Cup™ appearances from the bench.

1982 World Cup Finals, Valencia, Spain, 25th June, 1982, Spain 0 v Northern Ireland 1, Northern Ireland's goalscorer Gerry Armstrong celebrates victory with manager Billy Bingham (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

1982 FIFA World Cup Spain™

Northern Irish heroes leave Spain shellshocked

FIFA reflects on another stunning World Cup upset, with this instalment focused on Northern Ireland's famous victory over the host nation in 1982.

Costa Rica's forward Bryan Ruiz (2nd R) and Costa Rica's goalkeeper Keylor Navas (2nd L) celebrate after winning 1-0 during a Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™

Ruiz inspires Costa Rican rapture in Recife

Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Italy were the heavy favourites, but Keylor Navas and Bryan Ruiz propelled Costa Rica to a huge upset at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Bildnummer: 06168496 Datum: 21.06.1978 Copyright: imago/Colorsport
Hans Krankl (Austria) turns away after scoring. Austria-West Germany; Group A; Cordoba; 21 June 1978 Soccer World Cup PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxPOLxUSAxONLY; Cordoba Herren Fussball WM 1978 Nationalteam L‰nderspiel Aktion Tor Jubel Freude Torjubel Aufmacher vdig xmk 1978 quer Austria o0 BRD,

Image number 06168496 date 21 06 1978 Copyright imago Color Sports Hans Krankl Austria Turns Away After Scoring Austria West Germany Group A Cordoba 21 June 1978 Soccer World Cup PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxPOLxUSAxONLY Cordoba men Football World Cup 1978 National team international match Action shot goal cheering happiness goal celebration Highlight Vdig xmk 1978 horizontal Austria o0 Germany

1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina™

Austria humble holders West Germany

In the latest instalment of our series on shock results at the global showpiece, we look back at Austria’s against-the-odds triumph over West Germany in 1978.

FIFA World Cup™

King Klose and his victory record

Every Monday, FIFA spotlights a World Cup record. Here, we look back at Miroslav Klose and his pace-setting 17 tournament victories.

1990 FIFA World Cup Italy™

Cameroon's nine-man San Siro stunner

FIFA looks back on Cameroon's tournament-shaking victory over reigning world champions Argentina in their Italy 1990 opener.

FIFA World Cup™

England: The stalemate specialists

Every Monday, FIFA spotlights a World Cup record. The latest looks at England their record number of draws at the finals.

Bildnummer: 00464998 Datum: 22.06.1974 Copyright: imago/Frinke
V.li.: Dirk Kurbjuweit, Torwart J¸rgen Croy, Reinhard Lauck, Siegmar W‰tzlich, Konrad Weise und Erich Hamann (alle DDR) bejubeln den Sieg; Vdia, quer, Spielschluss, Torh¸ter, Keeper, Spielende, Jubel, jubeln, Schlussjubel, Schluﬂjubel Weltmeisterschaft 1974, L‰nderspiel, Nationalmannschaft, Nationalteam, Nationaltrikot Hamburg Volksparkstadion Freude, Fuﬂball WM Herren Mannschaft Deutschland Gruppenbild optimistisch Randmotiv Personen

1974 FIFA World Cup Germany™

When East beat West in all-German grudge match

FIFA recalls the pulsating showdown that marked the first — and last — clash between East and West Germany at the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup™

When Indonesia took Asia’s first steps on world stage

We look back on Indonesia’s appearance at the FIFA World Cup in 1938, when they became the first Asian side to compete in the tournament.

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™

South Africa floor fractured France

FIFA recalls South Africa's sole victory from their home World Cup, as Bafana Bafana piled the misery on Les Bleus.

FIFA World Cup™

Zizinho: the master who preceded the king

Before Pele, there was Zizinho. An artist on the pitch who later became a coach, he was at the heart of establishing Brazil’s footballing identity.

FIFA World Cup™

FIFA World Cup all-time leading scorers

Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Pele, Gerd Muller and Just Fontaine among the many greats to feature.

FIFA World Cup™

When the Chollima took flight

Six decades ago an unlikely love affair between World Cup hosts and little-known Asian debutants was the backdrop as Korea DPR stunned Italy at the 1966 FIFA World Cup.

Bildnummer: 04906379 Datum: 29.06.1982 Copyright: imago/WEREK
Torwart Dino Zoff (Italien) gibt Anweisungen; Vdia, quer Aufmacher WM 1982, Länderspiel, Nationalteam, Nationaltrikot Barcelona Fußball WM Herren Mannschaft Einzelbild pessimistisch Aktion Werbemotiv Personen

Image number 04906379 date 29 06 1982 Copyright imago WEREK Goalkeeper Dino Zoff Italy gives Instructions Vdia horizontal Highlight World Cup 1982 international match National team National jersey Barcelona Football World Cup men Team Single pessimistic Action shot Highlight Human Beings

FIFA World Cup™

The 40-year-old king

Dino Zoff played a fundamental role in Italy conquering Spain 1982 and, in the process, smashed the record for the oldest FIFA World Cup winner.