Brazil became the second nation to win consecutive World Cup titles, while the tournament introduced goal average tiebreaking and recorded a then-record six sendings off.
Key Facts
- Tournament edition
- 7th FIFA World Cup
- Dates
- 30 May – 17 June 1962
- Final score
- Brazil 3–1 Czechoslovakia
- Teams entered (qualification)
- 56 teams
- Average goals per match
- 2.78 goals
- Record sendings off
- 6 red cards
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
FIFA awarded hosting rights to Chile for the 1962 World Cup. Fifty-six national teams from six confederations entered qualification between August 1960 and December 1961, with fourteen qualifying to join host Chile and defending champions Brazil in the finals tournament.
Held from 30 May to 17 June 1962 across Chile, the tournament featured 16 teams competing in group and knockout stages. Brazil defeated Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final in Santiago. The competition was notable for violent play, culminating in the infamous Battle of Santiago between Chile and Italy, and set a then-record six tournament sendings off.
Brazil became the second team after Italy to win the World Cup in consecutive editions, a feat unmatched since. The tournament permanently lowered expectations for goals per match, as the average of 2.78 established a pattern repeated at every subsequent World Cup. Goal average was also adopted as a new tiebreaking mechanism.
Result
at Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile