World Cup is Coming!

The 2026 World Cup starts on June 11th, and a record number of teams will compete to be the world champion.

England and Scotland are Getting Ready

England and Scotland have qualified for the tournament next month. Scotland is participating for the first time since 1998 and aims to advance from the group stage for the first time in history.

1966 World Cup

England is preparing to win the cup again, 60 years after their first victory. What happened back then? Here are five interesting facts:

1. The Jules Rimet Trophy

The original World Cup trophy, Jules Rimet, was stolen four months before the 1966 tournament in London. But it was found a week later by a dog named Pickles! Pickles found the trophy wrapped in newspaper under a fence in southern London with its owner.

2. No VAR

In the 1966 World Cup, referees made decisions without video assistance. There were no pitch-side screens or slow-motion reviews, just the referees' eyes and judgment.

3. The First Official Mascot

The 1966 World Cup introduced the first official mascot, World Cup Willie. World Cup Willie was a drawing of an eagle wearing a Union Jack football jersey and was a huge hit. Since then, every men's World Cup has had its unique mascot.

4. Tournament Format

The 2026 World Cup will be the largest tournament with 48 teams participating. The new format will include 12 groups of four teams and an additional elimination round. But in 1966, there were only 16 teams, and the groups consisted of four teams.

5. Brothers

In the 1966 World Cup final, two English footballer brothers played together on the field: Bobby and Jack Charlton. Bobby is considered one of England's best players by many fans and played as an attacking midfielder. His brother Jack was a defender.

Conclusion

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, it's exciting to remember that historic tournament in 1966. England is getting ready to win the cup again, 60 years after their first victory. Who do you think will win this year? Who will you support? Let us know in the comments!