HistoryData
sports2014

2014 FIFA World Cup — 20th FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil

January 1, 2014

Germany won their fourth FIFA World Cup title, becoming the first European nation to win the tournament on American soil.

Quick Facts

Year
2014
Category
sports

Key Facts

Tournament edition
20th FIFA World Cup
Matches played
64 matches
Host cities / venues
12 cities
Total visitors
1 million from 202 countries
FIFA Fan Fest attendance
5 million people
Winning goal
Mario Götze, 113th minute

By the Numbers

20
Tournament edition
64matches
Matches played
12cities
Host cities / venues
1
Total visitors

Location

Map of BrazilMap of BrazilBrazil

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Brazil was awarded hosting rights in 2007, marking its second time staging the World Cup after 1950. Thirty-two teams, including debutant Bosnia and Herzegovina, qualified through continental competitions, while defending champions Spain entered as favorites having won in 2010.

Event

The tournament ran from 12 June to 13 July 2014 across 12 Brazilian venues. Notable events included Spain's group-stage elimination and Brazil's shocking 7–1 semi-final defeat to Germany. In the final, Germany defeated Argentina 1–0 after extra time, with Mario Götze scoring a half-volley in the 113th minute.

Consequence

Germany secured their fourth World Cup title and became the first European team to win the trophy in the Americas. The victory extended a record streak of three consecutive European champions (Italy 2006, Spain 2010, Germany 2014), later extended further by France in 2018.

Result

Germany
1–0 (a.e.t.)
Argentina

at Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

First European team to win a World Cup held in the Americas; Germany's fourth world title

Timeline Context

Timeline around 20142014201120122013201520162017European migrant crisis — 2010s migrant crisis in the European UnionRussian annexation of Crimea — annexation of Crimea into Russia in 20142014 Gaza War — war fought between the Israel Defense Forces and the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip during 2014January 2014 — month of 20142014 Formula One World Championship — 65th season of Formula One motor racing2014 Summer Youth Olympics — 2014 edition of the Summer Youth Olympics2014 Asian Games — 17th edition of the Asian GamesAlpine skiing at the 2014 Winter Olympics — alpine skiing competitions during the 2014 Olympic Winter games2014-fifa-world-cup-20th-fifa-world-cup-held-in-brazil-2014