TheFIFAWorldCup(oftencalledtheFootballWorldCup,SoccerWorldCuporsimplytheWorldCup)isthemostimportantcompetitionininternationalsoccer(football).Theworld'smostrepresentativeteamsportevent,theWorldCupiscontestedbythemen'snationalfootballteamsofFédérationInternationaledeFootballAssociation(FIFA)(thesport'slargestgoverningbody)membernations.Thechampionshiphasbeenawardedeveryfouryearssincethefirsttournamentin1930(exceptin1942and1946duetoWorldWarII).However,itismoreofanongoingeventasthequalifyingroundsofthecompetitiontakeplaceoverthethreeyearsprecedingthefinalrounds.

　　Thefinaltournamentphase(oftencalledthe"Finals")involves32nationalteamscompetingoverafour-weekperiodinapreviouslynominatedhostnation,withthesegamesmakingitthemostwidely-viewedsportingeventintheworld.Inthe17tournamentsheld,onlysevennationshaveeverwontheWorldCupFinals.Brazilisthecurrentholder,aswellasthemostsuccessfulWorldCupteam,havingwonthetournamentfivetimes,whileGermanyandItalyfollowwiththreetitleseach.ThenextfootballWorldCupFinalswillbeheldinGermanybetweenJune9andJuly9,2006.

　　Withfivevictoriesoutofitssevenappearancesinthefinalmatch,BrazilisthemostsuccessfulWorldCupteam.ItisalsotheonlynationtohaveparticipatedineveryWorldCupFinalstournamentsofar.

　　Atthecontinentallevel,SouthAmericanarrowlyleadsEuropewithninetitlestoeight.BrazilandGermanyaretiedformostappearancesinthefinalmatchwith7(Brazilhaswon5;Germanyhaswon3).BrazilandItalywerefinalistseachchallengingfortheir3rdcupin1970andfortheir4thcupin1994.Inbothmatches,Brazilwon.