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FIFA WORLD CUP'S HISTORY
In the last ninety-two years, 21 World Cup tournaments have been played. 79 countries took part, but so far only eight countries have won and only 13 have made it to the final. Spain became champions in 2010. It was the last country to be included in the elite group of the World Cup. Previously, France 1998 and Argentina 1978 were included in the list of world champion countries.
Poland and Belgium lost to eventual winners Italy and Argentina in 1982 and 1986 respectively, and as former winners, England did not qualify for the long-shots group. They reached the semifinals in 1990, losing to West Germany.
It was the 1994 tournament when a new nation, Bulgaria, entered the semi-final group. They had never won a World Cup game in 16 attempts. They suffered their 11th defeat in their first game against the USA. But then the Bulgarians turned things around. They won two group games and defeated Mexico on penalties in Group 16 before beating hosts Germany in a spirited fight in the quarter-finals.
Sweden, on the other hand, reached the round of 16 after beating Romania, but Italy shattered Bulgaria's dreams in the semifinals and Sweden were eliminated by Brazil.
Bulgaria, whose golden era was inspired by Hristavstoichkov, fell four years later in the group stage in 1998 by a single point and have not qualified for the finals since.
Yugoslavia reached the semi-finals in 1930 and 1962, but Croatia made its debut as an independent country after the 1998 dissolution. The highlight of the year was the emotional run that reached the final quarterfinals of the tournament against Germany. They beat France 3-0 in the quarter-finals, but lost 2-1 to hosts France in the semi-finals.
At the 2002 tournament, two young teams managed to reach the semi-finals, but eventually the wizards of the tournament barred their way. Then in 1/16 they shocked the world by beating Italy in overtime with a golden goal. They then beat Spain on penalties to become the first Asian team to reach the semi-finals.
The second quarter-final match between Senegal and Turkey meant another new team would advance to the semi-finals and it was Turkey who made it, but Germany and Brazil defeated Korea and Turkey respectively in that game. , although both only won 1-0. This was Turkey's second appearance at a World Cup and they have not qualified since.
Portugal reached the semi-finals for the second time in 2006 but lost to France, while four years later Spain were the historically "surprising" semi-finalists. They had never reached Group 4 before (although they were in the second group stage in 1950). The only other country to reach the semifinals was two-time champions Uruguay. They were last in the semi-finals in 1970.
However, Spain arrived in South Africa as European champions and caused a stir when the Spaniards erased decades of World Cup failure by beating the Netherlands in the final.
Croatia reached the semi-finals in 2018 and was better than 20 years ago by beating England, but lost to France in the final.
This time they meet Argentina in the semi-finals, but it is Morocco who are seen as true underdogs, becoming the first African team to reach the last four. They beat European heavyweights Belgium, Spain and Portugal in a surprisingly impressive match.
With France and Argentina both aiming to win their third World Cup, they will be the favorites to end the fairy tale, but neutrals everywhere will surely want a new team to win this time around and win their ninth World Cup. Become the champion team. Let's see which team from Morocco or Croatia will write a new history as winners of the World Cup.
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