When I first started the design of World Cup Love I was so worried that the final design would look tacky and stereotypical of the sport. You know kind of like those old unlicensed football video games we used to play when we were young. The absence of logos, pseudo-real names, the black hexagon balls…etc made those games lacking.

So when I first pitched the design idea to the designers, I was very clear that I wanted to steer away from the stereotypical hexagon ball. Despite that, I got a lot of what I was clearly afraid of, a stereotypical logo using a stereotypical ball! But when I saw our current logo (check the header), all my fears were chattered! This ball seemed to embrace the legendary hexagon football, yet not afraid to say the game has evolved through the year with the circular spots. A stroke of genius!

So lets take a walk down memory lane, and see how the ball that brought us so much joy and tears evolved:

Mexico, 1970: Telstar

This is Adidas’s first ball to officialy feature in the World Cup, the design was inspired by the American architect Richard Buckmister Fuller dome-design. The design consists of a series of pentagons, triangles, and hexagons. In action, the black hexagons made it easier for players to perceive a ball’s swerve.

West Germany, 1974: Durlast

Two balls debuted in this World Cup the Telestar Durlast and the Chile Durlast. Both balls were identical to the previous championship’s ball, the Telestar, but differed in coloring and branding. The Telestar Durlast lost the gold branding and was replaced with black. While the Telestar Chile was an all-white ball, named after the Chile 1962 World Cup ball, which was all white.

Argentina, 1978: Tango Durlast

Argentina 1978 featured a new “revolutionized” ball, the Tango Durlast. This ball was the basis of the 5 next World Cup Championships. Twenty panels with ‘triads’ created the impression of 12 identical circles. Tango also featured improved weather resistance qualities.

Spain, 1982: Tango Espana

Tango Espana was the ball used in 1982 hosted by Spain. It was the last genuine leather ball to ever feature in a World Cup championship. It had rubber inlaid over the seams to prevent water from seeping through.  The first ball with water-resistant qualities, however the rubber meant that that it had to replaced during matches due to general wear and tear.

Mexico, 1986: Azteca

Mexico 1986 featured the first polyurethane coated ball which was rain-resistant, this gave it good qualities on hard and wet surfaces. The design was inspired by the hosting nation’s native Aztec culture.

Italy, 1990: Etrvsco Unico

This ball was a high-tech ball and was manufactured entirely from synthetic fibers. It’s innermost layer consisted of textiles impregnated with latex, giving it form and resistance to tear. Next came a neoprene layer making the ball water-tight. While the surface had a polyurethane layers was used for abrasion resistance and good rebound properties. The intricate design is inspired from the Italian history and the fine art of the Etruscans. It featured three Etruscan lion heads decorate each of the 20 Tango triads.

USA, 1994: Questra

This ball was enveloped in a layer of polystyrene foam, this not only made it water-proof but also gave it more acceleration. It had a softer touch and improved ball control and velocity when kicked.

France, 1998: Tricolore

This was the first ball to depart from the black and white tradition, it sported the colors of the host nation’s colors red, white, and blue. It had new foam material giving it better compression and more explosive rebound characteristics, making the ball softer and faster than its predecessor, Questra. The “cockrel” was inspired by the nation’s traditional symbol.

Japan and South Korea, 2002: Fevernova

This ball fully departed from the traditional Tango design of 1978. It had was only 3 millimeters thick and had 11 layers! The actual technology behind this ball is too intricate to get into, however this ball was marred with controversy. A ridiculous kiddy’s bouncing ball ” Gianluigi Buffon Italy’s goalkeeper was quick to note. While Belgium’s goalkeeping coach has complained the ball is “too light.” Brazilian midfielder Rivaldo told reporters the ball soars too far when kicked. And Brazilian forward Edilson was quoted as saying the ball is “too big and too light.”

The golden orbs represents the motive of the Shuriken while the red stars represents the ninja’s star.

Germany, 2006: +Teamgiest

The latest and most recent ball: +Teamgeist! Teamgeist  means “team spirit” in German. Adidas indicates “The fine gold accents along the rounded propellers are inspired by the golden FIFA World Cup Trophy. The revolutionary new panel shape is designed to minimize corners and to create a more homogeneous system in terms of performance and look. The radiant lines of the graphics surrounding the propeller shape symbolize movement and energy.”  Each match featured it’s own custom made ball, indicating the two competing teams, venue, date, and time. The final match also had a special “golden” ball!

All pictures and information was provided by soccerballworld.com. It is a great resource if you are interested into deeper detail about Footballs. Make sure to check it out!

The World Cup 1982 semi-final in Seville, Spain between France and Germany can be remembered for many reasons. It could be remembered for its dramatic finale. After 90 minutes it was a deadlock at 1-1 resorting to extra-time. The French cruised 3-1 in extra-time, only for the Germans to pull back with 12 minutes to go, ending the match 3-3 for a penalty shootout. But that’s not whats most remembered….

The match was also the first match in World Cup history to be decided by a penalty shootout. But still that’s not whats most remembered…

In the 65th minute , the French substitute, Patrick Battiston raced to an exquisite Michel Platini ball putting him straight in front of the German goal and their keeper Herald Schumacher. Herald raced furiously like a Mack truck toward the ball, recklessly leaping into the air, knees hoisted forward, and the collision happened. Battiston knocked out cold on the pitch, losing two teeth and fracturing his vertebrae, some thought he was dead. No words could accurately describe the gruesomeness of the tackle:

Whats even more shocking,  the Dutch referee Charles Corver did nothing and gave Germany a goal kick! Schumacher was whistled, booed and hissed at all match long. He was later called “The Beast of Seville” and Football’s “Jack The Ripper”. His mother told him “it’s dreadful Herald” and the Times condemned “that grotesque poodle-permed innocence feigned by the doyen of a long line of slightly deranged German goolkeepers.”

Schumacher was chosen as the most hated man in the world by a French newspaper poll, Hitler came second. Now wonder the world rejoiced when the Italians defeated them 3 days later in the World Cup final.

The qualification for World Cup 1974 was one of the oddest in history. FIFA insisted that only 16 would qualify out of the 95 participating nations, and USSR felt the brunt of this decision. Despite winning European group easily, they were forced to play a play-off against Chile. The Russians were frustrated, this was the first time a European team and a South American team have a WC play-off.

The first round in Moscow at the end of September was uneventful ending 0-0. But events back in Chile had grave consequences for the Russians. Let me explain, on September 11 1973, the democratically elected president Salvadore Allende was overthrown in a military coup and burned to death. The perpetrator was a sinister dictator Augusto Pinochet Ugarte, or just General Pinochet.

General Pinochet had a brutal way to deal with his opponents, they were either brutally murdered or became los desaparecidos (the disappeared). You can probably guess where they “vanished”.

Pinochet was fanatically anti-communist, thousands left-wing sympathizers were rounded up and taken to Estadio Nacional. The same stadium that saw Brazil’s triumph against Czechoslovakia to lift their 2^nd World Cup. Unspeakable atrocities happened in the deep belly of the stadium, fingers were chopped, women were raped in front of their husbands, and children were abused as their helpless mothers looked in horror.

The news had reached Moscow, and the Russians were facing a dilemma. A lot of countries abandoned their morals in pursuit of World Cup glory, but the Russians decided to take the moral high ground on this one. They decided not to attend their scheduled match on the 21^st of November 1973. Their Football Federation Chief, Valentin Granatkin, was adamant: “Soviet sportsmen cannot play on a ground stained with the blood of Chilean patriots”

Normally Chile qualified for the 1974 World Cup by default, but not before holding a bizarre phantom match. 40,000 spectators watched 1 team of 11 players in their full kits finish off a neat nine-man move with a close-range tap-in from their captain.

Chile failed to impress in the World Cup and lost all their matches. While Pinochet retained power until 1990. He was later arrested in London in 1998 for human-rights violation during his tenure. Only to be released by Jack Straw, the then home secretary, on “health grounds.

Here is a documentary about the whole coup and Pinochet’s atrocities.

To ask any professional footballer: “What is your ultimate footballing dream?”, I dare say the majority of their responses would be related to scoring or participating in the World Cup. Years of practice, hard work and determination culminate in the chance to walk out for your countries national team and help them beat the best teams in the world.

Some players have made the World Cup Finals their own personal showground, showcasing their talent and their ability to score against the best defences in the world. This list of five brilliant players aims to highlight some of these people.

1. Eusébio

Born Eusébio da Silva Ferreira in 1942, nobody could have guessed the impact this Mozambique born forward would have on the 1966 World Cup and on football as a whole. Eusébio, nicknamed the “Black Panther”,  scored 727 goals in 717 games throughout his career, notching nine goals for his national team Portugal in the 1966 finals, earning him the Golden Boot (the tournament’s award for top goalscorer).

Eusébio’s most noticeable game in the 1966 tournament was in Portugal’s Quarter win against North Korea. In this match, Portugal trailed North Korea 3-0 after just twenty five minutes. Portugal mounted a huge comeback and with the help of four Eusébio goals, Portugal ran out eventual 5-3 winners. Eusébio’s goals guided his team to the Semi Finals where they were knocked out by the eventual winners England, not discounting the fact a penalty from the Portuguese wonderkid in the latter stages guaranteed a very nervous finish for the hosts.

Eusébio wasn’t just known for his tremendous attitude to life on the pitch, he is also a huge figure in the current Portguese national team setup. Perhaps the only regret true football fans will have is that Eusébio only graced us with his unique talent in the 1966 finals, where the lack of talent in the national team never saw Portugal qualify for another World Cup with the Black Panther in the team.

Eusébio Greatest Goals

2. Gerd Müller

Gerhard “Gerd” Muller’s prowess in front of goal has definitely stood the test of time. Known for being somewhat short and squat for a forward, his low centre of gravity and ability to score in almost impossible situations saw Muller boast an incredible scoring record for both club and country meaning only Pelé and Romário are higher in the all time goalscorer ranking.

Muller enjoyed success at more than one World Cup, taking the field in both the 1970 and 1974 tournaments, held in Mexico and Germany respectively. Playing for what was known then as West Germany, Muller’s total goal tally in Mexico totalled ten goals, earning him the Golden Boot, where the team finished third overall. Four years later, Muller scored the winner in the 1974 World Cup Final, earning his team a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands. The goals scored in these two tournaments took Muller’s World Cup goal tally to 14, making him the highest all time World Cup goalscorer until 2006 when Ronaldo surpassed his record. Ironically, the 2006 World Cup Finals were held in Germany.

Muller went on to score 68 goals in 62 appearances for his national team until he retired from competitive football in 1982. After a battle with alcoholism, Muller once again returned to football, this time as a scout for Bayern Munich, where he still works to this day. He was awarded the FIFA Order of Merit in 1998 and represented the city of Munich as one of twelve ambassadors for the 2006 World Cup in his native homeland.

Gerd Muller Biography

3. Pelé

What top footballing list would be complete without this man on it? Pelé is quite rightly regarded as the best player to have ever walked onto a football pitch.

Pelé started his World Cup journey in Sweden at the 1958 World Cup. Whilst playing against the USSR in a first round match, Pelé became (at that time) the youngest player to play in a World Cup match at the tender age of 17. His goal in the Quarter Finals against Wales saw him also become the youngest player to score in the championships, the youngest player to score a Hat Trick when he hit three in the Semi Finals and finally the youngest player to play in a World Cup Final. Not only did Brazil win the final, Pelé scored two goals, one of which being one of his most famous goals where he lobbed the defender and volleyed home. He amassed six goals in four games, leaving him just behind the record breaking Just Fontaine.

Four years later, Pelé injured himself in their second match against Czechoslovakia and was forced to watch his team-mates win a successive World Cup trophy.

In 1966, he played a smaller role in his teams plans, only playing a handful of games. The 1966 tournament saw him subjected to a more physical game, none more so than against Portugal. This also allowed spectators around the world to see two of the world’s most promising players meet on the biggest stage of all, Eusébio and Pelé together on the same pitch. The game however took it’s toll on Pelé and he was subjected to late tackle after late tackle, forcing him from the field of play and to witness his team being knocked out of the tournament.

That wasn’t the end of Pelé, although he would have people think 1966 was his last World Cup. Returning for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Pelé showed exactly why people regard him as the best player to have ever played the game. Viewers witnessed so many truly awesome footballing moments that it’s hard to name just a few. Who can forget his header against England where Gordon Banks pulled off a seemingly impossible save? His dummy to deceive the goalkeeper and shoot narrowly wide? Or his 60-yard lob that narrowly missed against Czechoslovakia? Not only did Brazil win another World Cup, Pelé made that his last, finishing with an all time scoring record of 12 goals in his World Cup appearances and being one of only two people to score in four World Cups.

Since retiring, Pelé has been named “Footballer of the Century” by FIFA and has taken an active role in developing football all over the world. You may also find him advertising the odd bit for Viagra!

Pele: World Cup Legend

4. Just Fontaine

Even though Pelé enjoyed a World Cup Final win and scored a hat trick against Fontaine’s French team at the 1958 World Cup, it was Fontaine who had just as much reason to celebrate. In just six games, Fontaine blasted in thirteen goals, four against reigning champions West Germany, a total that ensured his place in the record books and the Golden Boot award. Progressing to the Semi Finals, Fontaine became only the second player to score in every World Cup match.

In seven years Fontaine managed to bag himself thirty goals in twenty one matches before successive injuries left him unable to continue his career, the last being a broken leg which saw him retire in 1962.

Off the pitch, Fontaine managed the French national team for two years before being replaced. He founded the National Union of Professional Football Players and was more recently named one of Pelé’s top 125 greatest living footballers.

5. Ronaldo

Of the five players mentioned in this post, Ronaldo is the only footballer who is still playing. Many of you may disagree with me since he piled on the pounds and started to lose his goalscoring touch but there is no doubting Ronaldo is one of the best World Cup strikers there has ever been.

Ronaldo did travel to 1994 World Cup but did not feature in the Brazilian campaign. He was, however, heavily involved in Brazil’s march to the 1998 World Cup Final, scoring four goals in the earlier matches. Ronaldo was subject to criticism when he was initially omitted from the team sheet for the final, apparently suffering a seizure. He did end up taking to the field but was largely ineffective in the 3-0 loss to France, with many questioning whether he should have been allowed to play after suffering such a setback.

Ronaldo bounced back four years later winning the Golden Boot, notching eight goals in the tournament, scoring against every team except England. His two goals in the final saw off Germany, helping secure a fifth World Cup for his native Brazil.

It was in 2006 when Ronaldo rewrote the record books. Scoring against Japan and Ghana (whilst being jeered for his bulkier physique), took Ronaldo’s World Cup goal total to fifteen, surpassing Gerd Muller’s previous record of 14 (detailed above). He has since been dropped from the Brazil squad and remains Brazil’s second highest scorer, trailing Pelé by fifteen goals.

Ronaldo World Cup Goals Compliation

So there you have it, five of the best World Cup goalscorers. I think in time we will see additions to this list, players such as Miroslav Klose (who has scored ten goals in the last two World Cups) might be able to push Ronaldo’s record close. There are of course many great players who have missed out on this list but that’s not to say they weren’t worthy, we just couldn’t go on forever!

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was formed in 1904. And true to its nature of incompetence, it took a quarter of a century to organize the first World Cup. That seems fitting for football’s governing body. FIFA arrived to the decision to hold the first tournament in Uruguay because technically Uruguay were world champions winning the gold medal in the 1926 Olympics.

FIFA desperately needed European teams to take part in their first spectacle. However, most didn’t really fancy the high seas of the Atlantic. England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales were ineligible because they withdrew from organization over an ‘amateur’ player payment dispute. Luckily, with a heavy heart, France, Belgium, and Yugoslavia agreed to make the trip. But the most enthusiastic European participant by far were Romania!

King Carol II, who’s life was marred with scandalous affairs and 2 broken marriages, wasn’t even King 36 days before the tournament. However on the 8th of June 1930 he forcibly reclaimed the throne from his brother Micheal. His first decree made it clear that he was on a mission, he granted general amnesty to all football players serving suspensions due to football offenses.

The soccerphile King had his eyes set on Uruguay, he was going there by hook or by crook! With only few days to spare he hit a stumbling block. Most of his best players worked for an English oil company that refused to grant the players leaves.

The King responded like any hot-blooded king would, he picked up the phone and threatened to close the operations of the English company. They begrudgedly agreed.

The Romanians, along with the French, Belgians, and Yugoslavs took their 2 week journey over the Atlantic on the Conte Verde. On their opening game, and in front of a paltry 300 spectators, they won Peru 3-1. The ‘Royals’ apparently weren’t exactly box office.

Next up the hosts, and before over 70,000 in the Estadio Centenario, Romania succumbed to both stage fright and superior skill and were swept 4-0. They were knocked out!

Carol’s adventure ended abruptly, but football historians credit him with igniting the nation’s ongoing passion for football. After all, if it werent’ for him, we wouldn’t have witnessed the exquisite talents of Hagi and Mutu!

You are sitting straight in front of Regis being faced with the 16th and last question on the popular show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”. The question is seemingly very easy, that it makes you suspicious! It’s a slippery slope, a wrong answer would evaporate that $1,000,000 right in front of your eyes!

“In which year was the first world cup tournament held? 1888, 1909, 1911, or 1930?” with a sly smile Regis so innocently asks. After all, the Rentonions have claimed their accolades in 1888, we already know that. But what about 1909 and 1911?

The legend has it that, Sir Thomas Lipton (yes the tea dude) was made a Knight of the Grand Order of Italy for his business exploits on the peninsula. So he wanted to reciprocate and suggested to organize a “world football tournament” in Turin, Italy.

The English FA scoffed at Lipton’s suggestion, so Lipton decided to pull some of his own strings. One of Lipton’s employees had contacts with the lowly amateur club West Auckland FC. The employee managed to convince the poverty-stricken club and players to take part of what was dubbed “the first World Cup”

The band of the West Auckland miners made their way to Turin, Italy sacrificing their jobs and possessions to take part of this honors. Rumors around the peninsula that WAFC stood for Woolwhich Arsenal Football Club. No one from West Auckland protested!

The championship was held in a knockout format, and West Auckland managed to get to the final after beating Stuttgarter Sportfreunde 2-0. On April 12, 1909, West Auckland faced Swiss side FC Winterthur and beat them 2-0 as well to take the trophy.

Two years later, West Auckland returned, and after beating FC Zürich 2-0, they ran out 6-1 winners in the final over future Italian giants Juventus.

So there you have it. 1888, 1909, 1911, and 1930 all featured an event dubbed the “World Cup”. What would be your answer? Personally, I would still go for 1930!

You can read more about this fascinating story over here

Date: 19th of May 1888

Place: Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland

Renton FC the Scottish FA Cup champions trounced the English FA cup  champion  West Bromwich Albion 4 to 1. But what does this have to do with the World Cup?

Well Renton FC were the first world champions! Or at least according to the fantasy merchants of Renton FC.

Back then, it was customary for the champions of Scotland and England to play a friendly match at the end of the season. The legend has it on that murky day in Glasgow a thunderstorm ravaged the city and 4 people died. The game almost never took place, but the Rentonions chugged on and insisted on playing in the foulest of conditions. The game ended 4-1 for the Scots, that should have been it. A meaningless game on a dreary Scottish Saturday.

But the Rentonions begged to differ; their logic was pretty simple. British football was king, other nations barely had football associations. They were the chapions of the United Kingdom, so by definition they were champions of the world!

After proclaiming their world domination to the press, they hung a sign over their clubhouse door: CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD. They also needed a trophy. Solution? They made one!

10 years later, and after 5 matches  in the Scottish league, they dropped out, and subsequently vanished in 1922. But they never were deprived from that title!

Next time when someone tells that the first world champions were Uruguay, silence them with “not according to the Rentonions!”