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italy and the world cup As Italians, our favorite sporting past-time is soccer -- playing the game, pledging allegiance to our favorite team, and debating the merits of a particular match, coach or player. However, when it comes to international soccer, all Italians agree that the National team, the "Azzurri," must win. And win they have, boasting the third best record in World Cup play (behind Brazil and West Germany), and the second most World Cup Championships, three (behind Brazil's four).
Creation of FIFA
The First World Cup There were many considerations for European countries when deciding whether they could join the 1930 World Cup -- the transition period between World War I, the world economic crisis of 1929, and the enormous burden of travelling to South America by ship. Many European countries, including Italy, decided that they were not able to join this first World Cup. Thirteen countries ultimately participated in the event, with all but four European countries staying home. (note: The United States played in this first World Cup, and lost in the semifinals to Argentina). Uruguay was the eventual winner of the 1930 World Cup. Since 1930, the World Cup has been held every four years in between the Olympic games. (note: due to World War II, there was a 12-year gap between the 1938 World Cup in France and the 1950 World Cup in Brazil). Italy has hosted the global event twice.
Italy's World Cup Success 1934 (Parts of the preceding article have been reproduced from The World Cup Archive, and The Washington Post)
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