1 – Germany’s iconic former goalkeeper, Oliver Khan, became the first and only ‘keeper in the tournament’s history to win the Golden Ball for best player in the 2002 finals.
4 – The number of countries to host the tournament on more than one occasion, namely: Brazil, France, Italy and Mexico
5 – Brazil is the most successful team in the tournament, with five wins, having won it in 1958; 1962; 1970; 1994 and 2002.
8 – The number of teams who’ve won soccer’s most prestigious trophy, namely: Brazil (5); Italy (4); Germany (3); Argentina, Uruguay (both 2); France, England and Spain (all once).
15 – The record for the most goals scored by an individual in the tournament’s history belongs to one of, if not the finest striker in history: Luis Ronaldo.
18 – South Africa became the 18th country to host the tournament, which came to Africa for the first time in 2010.
20 – The Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup is the 20t edition of sport’s biggest jamboree.
32 – Number of teams which participate in the global showpiece.
40 – The possible number of teams in future tournaments should FIFA go ahead with its president Sepp Blatter’s wish to expand the number of participating teams.
1930 – The year in which the first ever World Cup was played. It took place in Uruguay.
3 587 538 – The record for the total attendance in the tournament’s history. It was set in the 1994 edition, which was staged in the US. – @SabeloBoksburg
