Year: 2018

FIFA World Cup Do you know that if Germany succeeds to win again this year would tie Brazil’s record of winning the World Cup for most numbers of times? Also, no African nation has made it through to the Final 4. Did you know that? These are just a couple of the records that might be broken this year. But let’s see what other records might break too.   #5 The most meetings between two teams The current records for the most meetings between two teams are holding three pairs of teams. Germany and Yugoslavia/Serbia – 1954, 1958, 1962, 1974, 1990, 1998 and 2010 Sweden and Brazil – 1938, 1950, 1958, 1978, 1990 and twice in 1994 Germany and Argentina – 1958, 1966, 1986, 1990, 2006 and 2014 All the four teams have made it through to World Cup this year too. So if Serbia finishes second, and Germany finishes at the top of their group, or vice-versa this meeting might happen all over again between the teams. The same happens if Sweden finishes second and Brazil is on the top of their group, or vice-versa. And if Germany and Argentina meet at the quarter-final after topping their groups and win the 16 matches, it would bring the same scenario. Let’s see if the records get broken because there is a high chance of it.   #4 The first team to finish fourth consecutively two times Brazil might hold the record if they finish fourth, as of now no team has ever finished fourth consecutively. And no one wants to hold this record actually, no pride into this one. Brazil would equal Uruguay’s record of finishing fourth at 1964, 1970 and 2010 editions. 1974 and 2014 have been marked by the Brazilians, and they wouldn’t want definitely to follow the steps of their fellow South American neighbors.   #3 The oldest player in FIFA World Cup Faryd Mondragon from Colombia became the oldest player to play in a World Cup at the age of 43. He has surpassed Roger Milla’s record. The one to be breaking this record is Essam El-Hadary from Egypt. He might make it through to the final squad with his outstanding experience.  This record is only one edition old but already seems set to be broken.   #2 The longest gap between winning two World Cups England and Uruguay are the contenders for this record, while Italy holds the present record for the longest gap between winning two World Cups. England hasn’t won the Cup since 1966 edition, and if looking at the current English team none of the players haven’t scored more than 15 goals or played more than 60 matches. Meanwhile, Uruguay hasn’t won the Cup since the 1950 edition, but their squad contains four players with more than 100 appearances, meeting goal-scorers Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez with 50-47 goals scored respectively. You think Uruguay could go home with the title and breaking the record too? Let’s see.   #1 Most penalty shootouts won Argentina and Germany are presently tied for the record of winning the most penalty shootouts. Both of the teams are holding the record for participating in the most penalty shootouts. Argentina won once each in 1998 and 2014 and won it twice in 1990 edition. Meanwhile, Germany won a penalty shootout in 1982, 1986, 1990 and 2014 edition.