16 Super Strange Facts We Never Knew About The World Cup

16 Super Strange Facts We Never Knew About The World Cup

The bets have been made, the fans are ready and excited, and the 21st FIFA World Cup is about to begin! 

Even though there are millions of football fans out there, you'd be surprised at some of the craziest facts surrounding the games that we had no idea were true!

1. Despite being widely criticized for its confusion during its trial period, a video assistant referee (VAR) will be used officially for the first time during the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament.

Mark Halsey, a former Premier League referee, questioned VAR, saying, "What on earth is going on with VAR? It's a shambles. There is a protocol in place but officials are not adhering to it."

2. It's no surprise that the World Cup is an event that millions of people tune in to watch.

But what is surprising is learning that nearly 50% of the ENTIRE world population watches the games, according to their 2010 statistics. That's a lot of people.

3. Uruguayan defender José 'Charly' Batista has earned the title of the fastest-ever red card in the history of the FIFA World Cup.

He was banished from the game just 52 seconds in after a slide tackle into the back legs of the opposing team.

4. The winning football team was once awarded the World Cup, known as the Jules Rimet Trophy, which was stolen back in 1966.

Just a week after it was stolen, the trophy was recovered by a dog named Pickles, who was awarded the silver medal of the National Canine Defence League.

5. In 1983, the same trophy was stolen yet again.

Although several men were arrested and sentenced for the theft, the trophy was never recovered.

As a result, the current FIFA World Cup Trophy was designed and is only given to the winning team until their post-match celebration is finished. 

6. Brazil will be making their 21st appearance at the World Cup this year.

They're the only nation to have ever played at every single World Cup tournament since its inception.

7. Studies have shown that there is an increase in the population after the FIFA World Cup.

There are higher birth rates nine months after the finals. Coincidence? I think not!

8. Another study suggests that the event of a heart attack is increased during the World Cup. 

According to the study, watching a stressful soccer match more than doubles your risk of a heart attack, particularity in men.

9. Miroslav Klose holds the record for scoring 16 goals between 2002 and 2014.

What's interesting is that Just Fontaine holds the fourth-place record for scoring 13 goals, but all of his were scored in a single game back in 1958. That's definitely more impressive!

10. Many fans and spectators were quickly annoyed with the constant buzzing of the vuvuzelahorns during the South African World Cup.

Many broadcasters had trouble muffling the noise in the background, and pharmacies were completely sold out of earplugs. As a result, the instruments have been banned from future World Cups.

11. Spoons are said to be the official instrument of the 2018 World Cup.

Also known as lozhkas, the instruments are basically wooden spoons that will "beat out an insistent, but quieter rhythm."

12. The fastest goal to ever be scored took place in just 10.8 seconds by Turkey's Hakan Şükür

The game ended with Turkey defeating South Korea 3-2 and finishing the tournament in third place overall. 

13. Brazil hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup became the most expensive World Cup to date after the country spent an estimated $14 billion (US).

$900 million alone was spent on security to ensure that the event would be "one of the most  protected sports events in history."

14. Russian coach Fabio Capello earned an annual income of over $11 million during the 2014 World Cup.

For reference, Fabio makes more in a week than what Mexico's coach, Miguel Herrera, makes in an entire year.

15. Egypt’s Essam El-Hadary will be the oldest player at the World Cup this year.

He turned 45 years old this January. 

Norman Whiteside was the youngest player ever at 17 years and one month old.

16. The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be the very first time that both Iceland and Panama have qualified. 

Both Iceland and Panama qualified for the first time, with Iceland becoming the smallest country population-wise to reach the World Cup.

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