The history of the World Cup

The World Cup creates memorable moments like no other sporting event; from Maradona's hand of god, to Gazza's tears, from Bobby Moore lifting the trophy at Wembley, to the genius of Pele.

As we look forward another memorable competition in South Africa, we've got every World Cup there's ever been covered right here.

The first ever competition was awarded to Uruguay but it was a rather threadbare affair, with only 13 teams taking part due to the arduous journey involved in getting to South America. Only four European teams made it to the finals, the first and only competition not to involve any qualification process.

With all teams, even the hosts Italy, forced to qualify for the second World Cup the entries were upped to 16. The most remarkable thing was that reigning champions Uruguay declined to take part due to a combination of a players' strike and the fact they were put out by the lack of European attendance four years earlier.

Italy became the first nation to retain the trophy and they would keep it for another 12 years as the competition was cancelled after the outbreak of war. Political tensions were running high and Spain failed to attend due to the civil war. Also absent again were Uruguay, still smarting from the lack of European interest in their hosting of the first tournament.

The tournament returned to South America after the wartime break and Uruguay reclaimed their title. This tournament saw the first appearance of England at the World Cup after finally rejoining FIFA, however over-confidence put paid to their hopes as well as hosts Brazil. Qualifiers India, meanwhile, refused to take part since FIFA wouldn't let them play in bare feet!

The 1954 World Cup saw one of the greatest upsets of all time as West Germany stunned favourites Hungary in the final in Berne. Switzerland, the home of Fifa, was awarded the honour of hosting the fifth world international championship to mark the 50th anniversary of soccer's governing body. Hungary were considered certainties to win, boasting a side of supreme talent that included the mighty Ferenc Puskas. However, the 'Miracle of Berne' occurred and West Germany lifted the Jules Rimet Cup.

A Pele-inspired Brazil lifted the 1958 World Cup in Sweden and a star was born in the famous yellow jersey. It was a tournament also remembered for its excellent home support, France's Just Fontaine and all of the Home Nations being involved for the first time - and all of this received international television coverage for the first time.

A thrilling Brazil side retained their World Cup trophy on South American soil. The hype prior to the tournament surrounded expectations of another star showing from the gifted Pele. However, it was a different Brazilian, Garrincha, that stole the show. Chile were given the honour of hosting the tournament ahead of neighbours Argentina. The World Cup had returned to the continent of South America after 12 years.

It was the Swinging Sixties, The Beatles, Carnaby Street. Britannia had never been so 'cool' and so logically England won their first - and only - Jules Rimet Trophy. It nearly wasn't so though, as the trophy was stolen while on display before the tournament and then memorably found under a bush by a dog called Pickles. Only in England!

If the 1966 tournament was played to the soundtrack of The Beatles, the 1970 World Cup danced to a Samba rhythm. Brazil were back after their misery in England four years earlier and the footballing world was about to witness the greatest team this planet has ever seen. England, of course, came to the tournament as reigning champions but their chances of a repeat seemed to be jinxed from the start.

The benefit of home advantage was never more evident than in West Germany's triumph over the best team in the world - Johan Cruyff's Holland. England missed out after that famous failure to qualify against Poland. But it was Cruyff's tournament, despite a heart-breaking final loss to the workmanlike Germans.

A country in turmoil and led by a military junta used the world game's four-yearly jamboree to forget. And how they forgot.To be honest the football wasn't great - too many teams played defensively, even the brilliant Brazilians. But there were flashes of genuine genius, and an ultimate triumph for the home country.

A generally disappointing showing for England was memorable for that missed header by a young Kevin Keegan. But the Brazil team of Zico and Socrates was worth the entry fee alone. Top scorer Paolo Rossi was the man of the tournament though as Italy marched to victory in the final.

One of the most memorable tournaments ever - for all the wrong reasons for England fans. We were all mesmerised by the two sides of Argentinian genuis Maradona as he first blatantly cheated his way past England, then silenced the critics with arguably the greatest World Cup of all time. Remarkable stuff.

Another tournament less memorable for the games (which were largely dire by the way) than for personal drama on the pitch. What Englishman can forget that night in Turin when Gazza broke down in tears after that yellow card which would keep him out of a potential final. Exit on penalties to Germany just added insult to injury.

'Soccer' went Stateside in 1994, even if England didn't, and thankfully served up some decent football that most fans had been deprived of in Italy four years previously. An impressive Brazil, featuring goal-machine Romario, beat Italy on penalties with star player Roberto Baggio the man to miss the crucial spot-kick.

Another case of so near, yet so far for England. From the brilliance of Michael Owen's goal against Argentina to David Beckham's red card. But this World Cup belonged to the hosts France whose impressive side triumphed in Paris against an out-of-sorts Brazil.

This World Cup was marked by a welcoming, party atmosphere in the host countries and comedy kick-off times for the fans at home - beers and an England at match 7:30am anyone? England lost out to eventual winners Brazil, for whom Ronaldo made up for his problems in the France final with a terrific goalscoring performance over the tournament.

More penalty heartbreak for England, this time against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. But the real story of the tournament took place in the final where France legend Zinedine Zidane, playing his last ever match, reacted to Italy's Materazzi and ended his remarkable career with that headbutt and the resulting red card.