<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
Sometimes you watch a World Cup and you think ‘well, that was the greatest edition of that tournament ever.’&nbsp;
That is not always the case. Certain World Cups are boring. Or, at least, they do not live up to the billing despite having the greatest teams and players from across the globe. Regardless, the quadrennial tournament seems to always yield dramatic storylines and games as the tournament unfolds.
Yet, certain editions stick in our heads and hearts more than others. There are a number of reasons why that may be.
The 2018 World Cup is special to those in Russia because it was the country’s first time hosting the World Cup. Similarly, French soccer fans may call that the best World Cup because their country won it. Even young English fans, who saw the Three Lions reach the semifinals for the first time since Italia ’90, remember that tournament fondly.
Then again, imagine what fans of France, Argentina or West Germany felt during the 1998, 1978 and 1974 World Cup Finals, respectively. Each of those nations <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/10/how-many-countries-have-won-a-world-cup-on-home-turf/">hosted the World Cup that year</a>, and each won the trophy.
<h3>What is the greatest World Cup ever?</h3>
Fact remains, it is near impossible to put opinions about the World Cup aside. Albeit that is somewhat easier for a twenty-something American like myself. I have not seen the U.S. host a World Cup (but I will in <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2026">2026</a>), and the U.S. never made it past the quarterfinals in my life.
Therefore, the greatest World Cup I can remember is 2014. At that time, I was in high school. Watching James Rodriguez and Lionel Messi light up a <a href="https:\/\/www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jul/15/world-cup-2014-review-64-memories-matches-brazil-germany-argentina" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South American World Cup</a> was a joy. It also helps that I could watch every game in the U.S. at a reasonable hour. That does not necessarily hold true for the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">5 a.m. kickoffs in Qatar scheduled</a> for November and December 2022.
What is the greatest World Cup you have ever watched? Was it your favorite nation lifting the golden trophy? Or, was there so much drama throughout the competition that one tournament sticks out in your memory bank?
Let us know in the comments below, some people will surely have the same response. After all, these competitions only happen every four years.
PHOTO: Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images

Even though there are only tournaments every four years, people have different beliefs on what the greatest World Cup ever is. What's yours?

What is the greatest World Cup ever? - World Soccer Talk

What is the greatest World Cup ever?

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
When it started, Russia 2018 set itself up for the World Cup with the most goals scored. There were 13 goals in the first two days of the tournament, highlighted by a 3-3 thriller in the Iberian Derby.
That pace eventually tailed off. Thirteen games in the group stage finished 1-0, with plenty more finishing 2-0 or 2-1.
Defense is something to be admired. It requires tenacity, consistency and power. However, everyone loves goals. The more goals scored, the better. After all, the ‘game of the century’ featured seven goals scored between West Germany and Italy in the 1970 World Cup semifinal.
Notable other memorable games outside of the World Cup Final featured a string of goals. Most recently, France beat Argentina, 4-3, in the round of 16 in 2018. Four years earlier, the Netherlands got revenge on Spain with a 5-1 thrashing in each nation’s first game. That same tournament, <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/06/29/from-brazil-highs-to-lows-in-russia-germanys-eternal-coach-loew-bows-out/">Germany put seven past hosts Brazil</a>, sending the country into a state of sporting shock. These are just the last couple of years.
<h3>What is the World Cup with the most goals scored?</h3>
In the first World Cup, 13 teams competed for a total of 18 fixtures. That year, teams scored 70 goals for nearly four goals per game. Remarkably, that yields just under four goals per game.
Flash forward 68 years, and the current record for the World Cup with the most goals scored occurred. At France 1998, teams scored 171 goals, more than 100 more than the original rendition. That tournament is tied for the World Cup with the most goals scored.
However, take that with a grain of salt. Over the years, FIFA increased the number of teams competing in the competition. Or, it modified the format, as was the case in 1974 to 1982, when the competition used two group stages to determine finalists. In terms of <a href="https:\/\/www.statista.com/statistics/269030/soccer-world-cup-number-of-games-played-in-each-tournament-since-1930/#:~:text=The%20current%20format%2C%20first%20implemented,in%202018%2C%20featured%2064%20games.">number of games played</a>, notable jumps occurred in 1982 and 1998. At Spain 1982, the number of games jumped from 38 to 52. Sixteen years later, France 1998 introduced the 64-game format that persists today.
<style type="text/css">
	table.tableizer-table { 		font-size: 12px; 		border: 1px solid #CCC; 		font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; 	} 	.tableizer-table td { 		padding: 4px; 		margin: 3px; 		border: 1px solid #CCC; 	} 	.tableizer-table th { 		background-color: #104E8B; 		color: #FFF; 		font-weight: bold; 	} </style>
<table class="tableizer-table">
<thead>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow">
<th>World Cup</th>
<th>Goals Scored</th>
<th>Leading Scorer</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">France 1998</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">171</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Davor Šuker (CRO) 6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Brazil 2014</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">171</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">James Rodriguez (COL) 6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Russia 2018</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">170</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Harry Kane (ENG) 6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">South Korea/Japan 2002</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">161</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Ronaldo (BRA) 8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Germany 2006</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">147</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Miroslav Klose (GER) 5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
Consequently, the number of goals scored jumped in those years as well. From 1978 to 1982, an increase of 44 goals with the 14 additional games transpired. When France won on home soil 16 years later, the 12 game addition brought 30 more total goals.
With the 2026 World Cup scheduled to increase the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2017/01/10/fifa-approves-expanded-48-team-world-cup/">number of teams to 48</a>, the ensuing number of games jumps as well. Consequently, expect another jump in total goals and a record for the World Cup with the most goals scored.
PHOTO CREDIT: LUIS ACOSTA/AFP via Getty Images

Every soccer fan loves goals. Plus, every soccer fan loves the World Cup. Put them together, which World Cup has the most goals scored?

ALL POSTS TAGGED "2014"

Uncategorized

What is the greatest World Cup ever?

Uncategorized

What is the World Cup with the most goals scored?