Even die-hard supporters miss some of the stranger corners of World Cup history. A few favourites:
- Only eight nations have ever won the men's World Cup.
- Brazil is the only country to have appeared at every edition of the tournament.
- The original Jules Rimet trophy was famously stolen before the 1966 tournament in England — and recovered by a dog named Pickles.
- The 1950 World Cup had no single grand final; the title was decided by a final group stage.
- Teams no longer get to keep the trophy permanently; winners receive a replica.
Football history is full of these small details. They're the kind of thing that wins pub quizzes and makes the build-up to a tournament that bit more fun.