The story of every Fifa World Cup

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Brazil lift the 1994 World CupImage source, Getty Images

BBC Sport looks back at the story behind every Fifa World Cup since its debut in Uruguay in 1930.

Against a backdrop of war, natural disasters and terrorism, the World Cup has flourished from an invitational event involving 13 nations to a competition involving 200 teams from all over the world.

BBC Radio 5 live's Peter Allen narrates the fascinating history of the world's most famous sporting event.

Uruguay 1930, Italy 1934 & France 1938

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Uruguay hosted the first tournament in 1930, before Italy and France staged the event on a troubled continent.

The hosts triumphed in 1930, with Italy victorious four years later and then defending their crown in France in 1938.

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Brazil 1950 & Switzerland 1954

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Brazil hosted their first tournament in 1950, with Switzerland staging the event four years later.

Both tournaments saw the favourites defeated in the final, with Brazil suffering a shock defeat to Uruguay in 1950, while West Germany performed the 'Miracle of Bern' to beat Hungary in 1954.

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Sweden 1958 & Chile 1962

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Sweden hosted the 1958 tournament, with 17-year-old Pele becoming a global superstar with two goals in the final.

Chile staged four years later despite an earthquake shortly before the event, and Brazil comfortably won their second trophy.

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England 1966

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England played host in the era of 'Swinging London', and Geoff Hurst's hat-trick in the final secured the Jules Rimet trophy for the hosts for the first time.

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Mexico 1970

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Mexico staged the first tournament to be broadcast around the world to colour televisions.

On the pitch, a great Brazilian side swept aside all-comers in style for their third world title.

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West Germany 1974

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West Germany hosted a tournament under the spectre of the Cold War.

On the pitch, the Netherlands' 'Total Football' delighted spectators, but it was not enough to beat the hosts in the final.

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Argentina 1978

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Argentina hosted its first tournament whilst under the rule of a military junta.

Mario Kempes starred for the hosts as they won their first World Cup on a ticker-tape strewn pitch.

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Spain 1982

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Seven years on from the death of General Franco, a democratic Spain played host.

But it was Italy who would ultimately triumph, with Paolo Rossi powering them to their third World Cup title.

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Mexico 1986

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Mexico hosted for the second time, despite an earthquake just eight months before the tournament.

On the pitch, Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to their second title.

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Italy 1990

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Italy hosted their second tournament, but it was marred by negative tactics and a lack of goals.

Despite England's best performance since 1966, it was West Germany who claimed their third World Cup title.

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USA 1994

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The United States of America hosted its first tournament in front of huge crowds.

Brazil claimed their fourth World Cup with a penalty shoot-out win over Italy, courtesy of Roberto Baggio's infamous penalty miss.

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France 1998

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France's multi-cultural squad brought the country together and the Champs-Elysees to a standstill when a Zinedine Zidane-inspired team won their first world title on home soil.

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Japan & South Korea 2002

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Asia hosted its first tournament, with South Korea and Japan sharing the event.

Brazil claimed their fifth world crown, powered by the goals of Golden Boot winner Ronaldo.

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Germany 2006

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We look back at the story of the 2006 World Cup, when a German nation played host and united around their country's run to the semi-finals.

Italy would overcome France in the final, but only after Zinedine Zidane's violent last act.

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South Africa 2010

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A look back at the story of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the first World Cup to be hosted on African soil.

Spain won their first world title, edging a bruising encounter with the Netherlands.

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