The FIFA World Cup 1990 was played in Italy 8 June-8 July, with 24 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1986 was played in Mexico 31 May-29 June, with 24 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1982 was played in Spain 13 June-11 July, with 24 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1978 was played in Argentina 1-25 June, with 16 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1974 was played in West Germany 13 June-7 July, with 16 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1970 was played in Mexico 31 May-21 June, with 16 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1966 was played in England 11-30 July, with 16 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1962 was played in Chile 30 May-17 June, with 16 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1958 was played in Sweden 8-29 June, with 16 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1954 was played in Switzerland 16 June-4 July, with 16 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1950 was played in Brazil 24 June-16 July, with 15 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1938 was played in France 4-19 June, with 16 nations. The FIFA World Cup 1934 was played in Italy 27 May-10 June, with 16 nations.

The FIFA World Cup 1930 was played in Uruguay 3 July-30 July, with 13 nations. The Olympic tournaments consisted, however, only of amateur teams вЂ“ the World Cup became the 'real deal'. Besides that, the Summer Olympic football competitions would be a mark of which the best national teams were before 1930. Another unofficial 'world cup' arranged before 1930 was Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy held in 19. There were, however, unofficial pre-FIFA World Cups already in the late 1800s, in a time when only few national teams existed. The first official World Cup was played in Uruguay 1930, and since when the tournament has been held every fourth year (with exceptions for interruption due to the Second World War). The decision of arranging the first edition was officially declared on May 26, 1928. Therefore, the government body, FIFA, made plans to organize a World Cup. But in the 1920s, the game was facing a transition to professionalism that wasn't consistent with the Olympic spirit. Before the World Cup was inaugurated, the football tournament arranged as part of the Summer Olympics was given the most prestige.

Fifa 2010 world cup goal scorers