Going by the look of things;
- Bosnia and Herzegovina may be the only team making it's first appearance in the world cup. that is if Jordan fail to qualify
- Cameroon may be the lowest ranked team, by last months ranking, if Jordan and New Zealand fail to overturn their heavy losses against Uruguay and Mexico respectively
- Of the top 25 teams only Ukraine(20) and Sweden(25) have failed to qualify. That is if Mexico and Uruguay qualify.
- Amongst the teams that have qualified only seven didn't appear in the last world cup in SA.
- Of the teams that have qualified and had qualified in earlier editions, only Colombia has been the cold longest, 1998 in France.
- If Uruguay qualifies as expected, all the previous editions winners will be represented in Brazil the same happened in 2010 and 2002. Uruguay spoilt the trend 1998 and 2006.
- It took 12 years to find a "BRAND" new winner (Spain) after France in 1998(20 years after Argentina in 78). So the previous winners have the highest chance of lifting the trophy next year.
- Did you know that only Italy(the first two world cups, 1930 and 32) and Brazil(58 and 62) that have successfully defended their crown?
- No country will be making a second appearance.
- Brazil is the only country that has appeared in all the 20(2014 inclusive) editions, with at least a round of 16 finish(exclude 2014 and earlier editions). Germany and Italy have appeared 18 times.
- The world cup tournament was not organized in '42 and 48, coz of WII.
- Two players have appeared in a record 5 world cup tournaments, Lothar Matheus of Germany and Mexico's Antonio Carbajal. Mathaus has played the most matches.
- Luis Nazario(I know many are confused here) is the all time top scorer. Germany's Miroslav Klose(14 goals) has the best realistic chance of dethroning him in the next tournament
- Germany and Brazil have been to the final the most, 7 apiece. Germany has been in the top 3 the most, 11. Brazil 9 and Italy 7.
- Since 1954, Germany has not finished below top 8.
- So far, south Africa has the worst finish by a host team and France the worst finish for a defending champion.
- Netherlands is the unluckiest world cup frequenter(my judgement).
- Pele has the most championships, 3. Also youngest player in a final, scorer hatrick…. aaaaah tired!! This guy has all the youngest records.
- Roger Miller is the oldest scorer in the world cup. .
- Uruguay is the only team to have played the most matches to qualify
- Brazil won all its matches in1970, 2002. The only team in a tournament of 16, 24 and 32 teams.
-Luxembourg, has failed to qualify in all the world cups since 1934. Afadhali sisi. We have not attempted that many.
- Only Norway and France have beaten Brazil in a world cup match since 1990(after a narrow loss to Argentina in 1990)
Trivia
- Which teams was the first to qualify for the next tournament?