Soccer is often referred to as a sport for everyone. Are you familiar with the sport and its worldwide events? Let's take a brief look at some of soccer's global tournaments.
1. World Cup
The World Cup is an international soccer tournament for men's national teams, held every four years by FIFA, the highest governing body in world soccer. It alternates with the Olympic Games and is considered the largest and highest-level tournament in the world.
The tournament was first held in 1930 and was won by Uruguay. It was discontinued in 1942 and 1946 due to external reasons. The World Cup consists of two parts: the outer rounds and the final round. The outer rounds, held three years prior to the final round, determine which teams will make it to the final round. Currently, 32 teams participate in the final round, which takes place over a month in the host country.
2. European Cup
The UEFA European Championship (UEFA) is the highest-level national soccer tournament contested by the member countries of the European Football Association (UEFA). The first edition was held in 1960 and is held every four years since. The tournament was founded as the European Nations Cup and was later renamed the European Football Championship in 1968.
3. America's Cup
America's Cup is the oldest soccer tournament in the Americas and the world. It was established in 1916, coinciding with Argentina's centenary of independence. The tournament was initiated by the then-President of Argentina, Yrigoyen, and features the 10 strongest national teams in South America, making it the highest level of competition in the continent.
The tournament was hosted by the South American Football Federation and started as an annual event. It was held irregularly after 27 years, and by 1959 it became a quadrennial event.
4. Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations is a high-level intercontinental soccer tournament initiated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The first edition was held in 1957 and featured only three teams - Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia - with North African rivals Egypt winning the tournament.
Starting in 1968, the tournament is mandated to be held every two years, and the number of teams participating increased as African countries were gradually liberated. In 1998, the number of teams in the tournament was expanded to 16, and every team except the hosts had to participate in a qualifying tournament organized by the Confederation, which is still in use today.
5. Asian Cup
The Asian Nations Cup, commonly known as the Asian Cup, is an international men's soccer tournament held every four years by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
6. Copa Libertadores de Sudamerica
The Copa Libertadores de América is the most prestigious international soccer tournament in South America, competing between the top clubs in the continent. It is the equivalent of the UEFA Champions League in Europe.
The success of the European Cup of Champions prompted the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) to organize a South American championship between the best clubs of the 10 countries of the Confederation, which was named the "Copa Libertadores de América" and officially started in 1960. Initially, only the championship teams of each country's domestic league participated, and in 1966 it was decided that the champion and runner-up of each country's league would participate.
