England’s “stolen” World Cup
A few months before the 1966 World Cup, the Jules Rimet trophy went on display at a London stamp exhibition. Despite the security around it, including 24-hour surveillance, the trophy disappeared. Investigation followed but could not lead to recovery of the trophy but a week later, it was found by a dog named Pickles who sniffed a newspaper-wrapped parcel while strolling with his owner David Corbett, in Beulah Hill district, London. England went on to win its first and only World Cup that year.
No Shoes?
India withdrew from the 1950 World Cup in Brazilde despite qualifying due to two major reasons: Financial concerns and FIFA’s requirement that all players wear shoes during matches (the Indian players were only accustomed to playing barefoot at the time).
Headbutt
During the final match of the 2006 World Cup, France’s star midfielder, Zinedine Zindane, headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the chest. The incident received a massive amount of media attention globally and even inspired a song entitled “Coup de Boule” (“Headbutt”), which topped the French and Belgian charts and went viral on the Internet.
Comical “opening” goal
During the opening ceremony of the 1994 World Cup, American singer Diana Ross led an elaborate song-and-dance number that was to culminate in a triumphant shot. Her shot went well wide of the net—but the goal still split open on cue as if she had hit it.
Caught pants down
One of the greatest Italian footballers of all time, Guseppe “Peppino” Meazza was as famous for his lifestyle off the field as for his shooting and dribbling prowess. In one if his most memorable moments, Meazza’s shorts fell down as he took a penalty kick against Brazil in the 1938 World Cup. Unfazed, he picked them up with one hand and made the shot past the Brazilian goalie, who was still busy laughing, sending Italy into its second consecutive World Cup final.