FIFA World Cup Quiz 2026

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first host by three countries simultaneously - Canada, the United States and Mexico. Number 16 invites you to test your knowledge of this prestigious quadrennial tournament by responding to the 10 questions below. Ready! Set! Good luck!

1.   In what year was the first FIFA World Cup held?

A.  1922

B.  1930

C.  1934

D.  1926

E.  1934

2.  In which country hosted 44the first FIFA World Cup?

A.  Uruguay

B.  France

C.  England

D.  Germany

E.  Brazil

3.  Which country won the first World Cup?

A,  Brazil

B.  Germany

C.  Argentina

D.  Uruguay

E.  France

4.  In which year was the first FIFA World Cup televised?

A.  1950

B.  1958

C.  1946

D.  1954

E.  None of the above

5.  In which year did Diego Maradona score his "Hand of God" goal?

A. 1982

B.  1990

C.  1984

D.  1994

E.  1986

6.  Which country has won the most FIFA World Cups?

A.  France

B.  Argentina

C.  Brazil

D.  Germany

E.  Italy

7.  How many times has England won the FIFA World Cup?

A.  Two times

B.  Once

C.  Never

D.  Three times

E.  Four times

8.  How many World Cup victories did legendary Brazilian player Pelé contribute to during his storied career?

A.  2

B.  4

C.  3

4.  1

5.  5

9.  Which nation won the World Cup in both 1934 and 1938?

A.  Italy

B.  Spain

C.  Argentina

D.  France

E.  Brazil

10.  Which was the first African country to participate in the FIFA World Cup?

A,  Morocco

B.  Algeria

C.  Tunisia

D.  Egypt

E.  Cameroon

ANSWERS

1.  B

The first FIFA World Cup took place from July 13 to July 30, 1930.

2.  A

Uruguay hosted the first World Cup.  All matches took place in the capital, Montevideo, primarily at the Estadio Centenario.  Thirteen countries participated, including seven from South America, four from Europe, and two from North America.

3.  D

Uruguay won the inaugural World Cup, defeating Argentina 4-2 in front of a crowd of more than 68,000 spectators.

4.  D

The FIFA World Cup was first broadcast on television in 1954.  The tournament was held in Switzerland that year  An estimated half a million Europeans viewed  the matches in public squares and community halls because home TV ownership was not common in those days.  The broadcasts, of course, were in black and white, with limited camera angles and no slow motion instant replays.  

5.  E

During the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Argentina's captain, Diego Maradona, scored his controversial "Hand of God" goal.  The goal occurred during a match against England, when Maradona outjumped English goalkeeper Peter Shilton.  The goal was technically illegal because Maradona had used his hand to send the ball into the net.  It was allowed to stand because neither the referee nor the linesman had witnessed the handball.  Maradona later stated that the goal was "symbolic revenge" for the 1982 Falklands War between England and Argentina.  Argentina went on to win the 1986 World Cup by defeating West Germany by a score of 3-2 in the final at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.

6.  C.

As of 2024, Brazil has won the most FIFA World Cups.  The South American nation has amassed a total of five World Cup victories( 1958, 1962, 1970, 1984 and 2002).  It is the only country to have played in every edition of the tournament.  Italy and Germany hold second place with four wins each.  Argentina has three titles, while France and Uruguay have two apiece.

7.  B

England has only one World Cup victory to date, as the host nation in 1966.  It was the first World Cup held in the English-speaking world.  Matches were played in eight stadiums, but all of England's matches took place at Wembley Stadium.  In the final, England defeated West Germany 4-2.

England's 1966 World Cup victory

8.  C

Pelé helped Brazil win three World Cups.  He made World Cup debut at just 17 years of age in 1958 in Sweden, where he helped Brazil win their first title, scoring four goals in the tournament.  Pelé also won with Brazil in 1962 and 1970.  He participated in a fourth tournament in 1966 in England, but Brazil was eliminated in the group stage after he suffered injuries.  

9.  A

Italy won the World Cup in both 1934 and 1938, becoming the first country to win it two times consecutively.  The Italians achieved that feat by defeating Hungary 4-2 in 1938.  It is interesting to note that the 1934 tournament was held in Italy.  Benito Mussolini was eager to use the World Cup to promote fascism.  Defending champion Uruguay boycotted the 1934 and 1938 tournaments because only four European teams had accepted their invitation to the 1930 tournament.  Due to the decision to host a second consecutive World Cup in Europe, many teams from the Americas chose not to participate in the competition or withdrew.

To date, the only other country to have won two consecutive World Cups is Brazil, with victories in 1958 and 1962, defeating Czechoslovakia both times.

10.  D

Egypt became the first African nation to compete in the World Cup in the 1934 tournament held in Italy.  The Egyptians qualified for the finals but were eliminated in the first round after a 4-2 loss to Hungary.  To date, the highest ranked finish for an African team is 4th place in 2022 by Morocco.

- Joanne

Ontario taxpayers are footing the bill for Ford's "Protect Ontario" ads.

Doug Ford's "Protect Ontario" ads are everywhere.  If you live in this province, you can't escape them on television and on the radio.  The ads are highly political and partisan.  They are paid for by the government of Ontario, but they are definitely not government ads.  They do not provide useful information to the people of Ontario.  They are campaign ads.  They reflect the policies of Doug Ford and his Progressive? Conservative government.  

Why should Ontario taxpayers pay for Ford propaganda?  Of course, the Ford government has a right to publicize its platform and its policies, but not at the expense of hardworking taxpayers.  The PC Party of Ontario should pay for those ads.  If the premier wants to promote his agenda, let his party pay for it.  Aren't conservatives the ones who scream and shout about respecting taxpayer's money?  Aren't they the ones who constantly chatter about stopping the gravy train?  The money spent on those ubiquitous ads could be spent on health and education.  

I resent the "Protect Ontario" advertising blitz.  At a time when working people are forced to use food banks because they can't make ends meet, they are a waste of money.  It's truly disgraceful.  So is the money Ford is wasting on moving the Ontario Science Centre.  A much wiser choice would have been to renovate the old Science Centre and keep it at the same Don Mills location.  As for Ford taking control of the Billy Bishop Airport, the people of Toronto should have a say in the matter.  Do we really need for pollution and noise surrounding the island airport?  Do we want it to become as busy and loud as Pearson airport?

- Joanne

Artificial intelligence: Should we put the brakes on AI?

                                         
Artificial intelligence is here to stay.  It has benefits, especially in the medical field.  However, before we proceed full speed ahead, isn't it about time to step back and take stock.  Although AI has some great assets, it also poses some very real dangers.  

Pope Leo X1V warned us of those dangers in his recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity).  Leo provided his perspective on the worldwide debate on artificial intelligence.  The pontiff implored us to "safeguard our humanity."  He acknowledged that although "a valuable tool," this technology will never possess a soul.  "We must avoid the misconception of equating this type of 'intelligence' with that of human beings," he wrote.  "So-called artificial intelligences do not possess a body, do not feel joy or pain, do not mature through relationships and do not know from within what love, work, friendship or responsibility mean."

Leo XIV

Our common humanity must always take precedence over any technology.  Think about all the greatest works of art, literature and music.  Reflect upon the finest of human achievements.  Did Shakespeare use AI to write his plays and sonnets?  Did Leonardo da Vinci require AI to paint the Mona Lisa?  Dud Beethoven, Bach and Mozart compose their music with the aid of AI?  Could AI create the statue of David or paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?  Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, published in 1818, dealt with the consequences of scientific overreach.  We know how that monster was created.

Of course, high tech moguls such as trillionaire Elon Musk tout AI as the be-all and end-all.  Musk envisions an automated future in which work will be optional due to AI and millions of robots replacing many jobs.  He has stated that by 2030, AI will surpass human intelligence.

Musk

It seems we are headed to such a world now, but are people any happier, more fulfilled?  Are they more connected?  Is there more of a sense of community.  I find Musk's vision of the future quite scary because it doesn't take into account our basic humanity.  If Musk really wants to make a difference, he could single-handedly end hunger.  According to UN estimates, ending hunger by 2030 would cost $93 billion a year.  That would be chump change for Musk and well under one per cent of the $21.9 trillion spent on military budgets over the past decade, according to the United Nations.  

By the way, Musk spent at least $277 million backing Trump and the Republicans in the 2024 election, according to documents filed by the U.S. Federal Election Commission.  He was likely the largest single doner of the election, mostly through his personal super PAC. America PAC.  

After Trump won the election, Musk became head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).  The richest man in the world did Trump's bidding by cruelly making cuts that hurt ordinary Americans.  He even posed for cameras with a chainsaw, emphasizing is willingness to perform Trump's cost-cutting.  

Pope Leo and Elon Musk do not share the same values regarding technology and AI,  This is not a blanket condemnation of artificial intelligence.  It is only to advocate that artificial intelligence be used wisely and intelligently.  What a monumental tragedy it would be if humanity lost control over itself, if human beings became subservient to technology and machines!  Are we destined to serve robots, as Elon Musk suggests?

- Joanne

What childeren have learned from Trump

Do you really want your children to emulate Trump?  Are those the qualities of a decent human being?

- Joanne