Brazil won their first FIFA World Cup title in Sweden, with 17-year-old Pelé becoming a global star and Just Fontaine setting an all-time single-tournament scoring record.
Key Facts
- Tournament dates
- 8 to 29 June 1958
- Final score
- Brazil 5–2 Sweden
- Just Fontaine goals
- 13 goals in one tournament (all-time record)
- Pelé's age at tournament
- 17 years old
- Brazil's title
- First FIFA World Cup title
- Host nation distinction
- Only FIFA World Cup hosted in a Nordic country
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
As the sixth edition of the FIFA World Cup, the 1958 tournament was assigned to Sweden through FIFA's rotation system. Several nations, including Brazil, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Soviet Union, qualified, bringing new participants to the global stage alongside established footballing powers.
Held across Sweden from 8 to 29 June 1958, the tournament featured 16 national teams competing in group and knockout stages. Brazil defeated France in the semi-final and Sweden 5–2 in the final in Solna, Stockholm. Seventeen-year-old Pelé scored in all three knockout matches, while France's Just Fontaine finished with 13 goals across the competition.
Brazil claimed their first World Cup title, launching a dynasty that would define the tournament for decades. Pelé's performance established him as an international superstar. Just Fontaine's 13-goal tally set a single-tournament record that remains unbroken. Wales and Northern Ireland made their World Cup debuts, with Wales not returning for another 64 years.
Result
at Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden