How Often is the World Cup?
Last updated on July 15th, 2023 at 11:37 am
The World Cup happens every four years.
The World Cup is the most prestigious international soccer tournament in the world, attracting millions of viewers from around the globe. This quadrennial event brings together the best national teams from six continents, each vying for the coveted title of World Cup champion.
The first World Cup took place in 1930 and has happened every four years since. The only exception was in 1942 and 1946, when the event was canceled due to World War II. I guess that’s a good reason as any.
Since then, the tournament has been held every four years without fail, with the most recent competition in 2022 in Qatar.
The next World Cup is scheduled for 2026, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Amazing!
How Often Is the World Cup Held?
The World Cup Schedule
The FIFA World Cup is an international soccer tournament held every four years.
The tournament is organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the governing body for football worldwide.
The World Cup schedule consists of two main phases: the qualification phase and the final tournament.
The qualification phase is held in the years leading up to the final tournament, and it involves teams from all over the world competing for a chance to participate in the final tournament.
The final tournament is held over a period of about a month, and it involves 32 teams from around the world competing for the World Cup trophy.
Why Does the World Cup Occur Every Four Years?
FIFA Regulations
The World Cup is organized by FIFA, the international governing body of soccer. According to FIFA regulations, the World Cup is held every four years to provide enough time for the participating teams to prepare and for the host country to organize the event.
The four-year interval also allows for the qualification process, which involves teams from all over the world competing in a series of matches to earn a spot in the tournament.
The Impact of Four-Year Intervals on Players and Teams
The four-year interval between World Cups has a significant impact on the players and teams involved.
For players, the World Cup is the pinnacle of their careers, and the four-year gap allows them to focus on their club careers while still having enough time to prepare for the tournament.
For teams, the four-year interval allows for developing new players and improving existing ones. It also gives teams the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and adjust their strategies for the next tournament.
The four-year interval also has its drawbacks. Injuries can occur, and players may not be in the same form as they were during the previous tournament. Teams may also experience changes in coaching staff and management, which can affect their performance.
At the end of the day, I think the four-year interval for the World Cup is a balance between providing enough time for preparation and qualification while still maintaining the excitement and anticipation of the tournament.
How Has the World Cup Frequency Changed Over Time?
The Modern Era of the World Cup
In recent years, there has been some discussion about increasing the frequency of the World Cup.
In 2018, FIFA announced that the tournament would be expanded from 32 teams to 48 teams starting in 2026. This change will mean that the tournament will have more matches played during each tournament.
There have also been discussions about holding the World Cup every two years instead of every four years. This idea has been proposed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who believes that it would generate more revenue for the organization and provide more opportunities for countries to qualify for the tournament.
However, this proposal has been met with some resistance from soccer fans and officials who believe that the World Cup should remain a special event that is held every four years. I’m in this camp where it feels magical every four years. Sometimes too much of something good can be a bad thing.
Who Won the Last World Cup?
2022 Men’s World Cup Winner
Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, defeating France in the final on penalties.
It was Argentina’s third World Cup title, with their previous victories coming in 1978 and 1986.
The tournament was notable for the outstanding performances of Argentina’s star player, Lionel Messi, who was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
In the final, the match was tied 1-1 after extra time, with goals from Angel Di Maria for Argentina and Antoine Griezmann for France. The match went to penalties, where Argentina prevailed 4-2, with Gonzalo Montiel scoring the winning spot-kick.
The victory was celebrated widely in Argentina, with fans taking to the streets to celebrate their team’s triumph. Messi’s performance in the tournament was widely praised, with many hailing it as the crowning achievement of his illustrious career.
2019 Women’s World Cup Winner
The most recent FIFA Women’s World Cup was held in 2019 in France, with the United States winning their fourth title.
The tournament featured 24 teams from around the world, with the group stage followed by knockout rounds.
The USWNT dominated the tournament, winning all of their matches en route to the final. In the final, they defeated the Netherlands 2-0, with goals from Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle.
The tournament was notable for the outstanding performances of several players, including Rapinoe, who won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, and Alex Morgan, who scored six goals in the tournament.
The tournament was also notable for the record-breaking crowds it attracted, with over one million fans attending matches throughout the tournament. The success of the tournament was seen as a major milestone for women’s soccer, with many hoping it will help to further grow the sport and increase its visibility around the world.
Upcoming World Cups
The next Men’s FIFA World Cup tournament is scheduled to take place in 2026, with the host countries being the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This will be the first time that the tournament will be held in three countries and with 48 teams.
The tournament is expected to take place in June and July of 2026 and will have an extended format due to the increased number of teams. I cannot wait!
Moreover, the 2023 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to be held in Australia and New Zealand. This will be the ninth Women’s World Cup in history and the first time that it will be held in these two countries. The schedule for the tournament has already been set, and it is expected to take place from July 10 to August 20, 2023.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the FIFA World Cup is held every four years. I really hope it stays this way as the anticipation builds for over 14,000 days.
The World Cup is a major sporting event that brings people from all over the world together to celebrate the sport of soccer. It is a time when national pride is on full display, and fans can cheer on their favorite teams and players.
The tournament is also a major economic driver, with billions of dollars being generated in revenue for the host country and the participating teams.
I cannot wait to see what happens in 2026 when the men’s World Cup comes to the U.S. We just have to stay tuned!
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the World Cup is not currently held every 2 years. The men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup is held every 4 years but on different years.
The World Cup is held every 4 years to allow for the necessary time for qualifying tournaments and playoffs among national teams to take place.
The 2026 World Cup will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Hey 👋 I’m Beau. A proud Dad, former coach and soccer enthusiast. I continue to love the game of soccer today the same way I did when I was 7. I created soccernovo.com to share what I know about the game as well as provide a platform so other parents can learn more about youth soccer in the U.S. 
