But this is the Random World Cup Facts thread. You never get the whole story here. There's just bare World Cup facts on show for your delectation. How many QFs have Germany missed? 3. Blimey!
I even said as much. "That's nuts!" I believe was my exact quote. For the record: 1930: Germany declined to participate. Due to travel, I assume. I'm not even sure if they were asked to participate. 1938: Knocked out by Switzerland following a replay in the first round (Round of 16). 1950: Banned by FIFA and so could not participate. So who were the quarterfinalists in 1950? Anyone? The last four were Brazil, Uruguay, Spain and Sweden but who did they defeat in the quarters? And who were the final eight in 1982?
I guess Bolivia was a 1950 quarter-finalist, as the 2nd place team in Group 4. Even though they lost by 8-0 in the only match they played.
Right, they "missed" the World Cup, not the semi finals. You cannot "miss" the semi-finals if you "miss" the WC altogether.
For 1982, the "quarterfinalists" are the 12 sides that played in the four groups of three sides. So Argentina, Brazil, Austria, USSR, etc. all count as quarterfinalists. I remember reading somewhere that for the first few WCs, up to and including WC54 possibly, the stages were atually named as "Round 1", then "R0und 2", until the "Final". Ironically, WC54 did not have a proper final although it worked out that the last match ends with the winner being crowned champions, a draw would have given Brazil the Cup.
Switzerland holds two remarkable contradictory records. From 1934-1994 they hold the longest streak of most matches conceding at least one goal (22 matches) From 1994-2010 they hold the longest streak of minutes without conceding a goal (559 minutes)
Hah! Now that's a record. A bit similar to Mexico who have the record of 5 consecutive world cups knocked out in the first round (1950-1966). They now have 6 straight world cup appearances (1994-2014) in the second round which is not a record but very impressive.
In fact, Mexico has many "non-appealing" WC records : Most losses (25) Most consecutive losses (9) Most consecutive matches conceding at least 2 goals (9) Most consecutive matches conceding at least 3 goals (5) Most consecutive matches conceding at least 4 goals (3). (tied with Bolivia) Most tournaments eliminated without having won a match (6) (tied with Bulgaria and South Korea) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_FIFA_World_Cup_records
With all of the times Mexico made the World Cup, they have never even came close to winning one. However, in the early decades they honestly didn't have a good team but made it almost every time because that also happened to be before the USA improved. It was really only the 1980's that Mexico became a respectable side.
At the 2014 World Cup, the worst South American team (Ecuador) had more points than all four Asian teams combined.
Argentina has never played a 3rd place match. Every time they made a top 4 finish, they played the final (1930, 1978, 1986, 1990, 2014). The only of the 8 world champion nations that hasn't finished 3rd/4th in at least one.
There is records/firsts that would be cool in next World Cups: No team have played two consecutive 3rd place game. No player have sent off twice in one World Cup. Hat-trick with 3 penalties. First host who lost opening game. First time when ruling champion misses next world cup. First foreign coach who comes world champion. First time when FIFA ranking 2 best teams are playing in FINAL First time when FIFA ranking 4 best teams are playing in Semifinals. First goalkeeper who scores. First goalkeeper who takes attempt in penalty shoot-out First hat-trick where all goals are scored in extra time. No team hadn't had 2 consecutive games with at least 6 yellow cards. First penalty missed in extra time. First player who is top scorer in 2 consecutive world cups First player who is best player in 2 consecutive world cups No team has scored goal when two men down. First team who is world champion and then hosts next world cup. First team with 3 red cards in one game. First team who made 6 or ALL 7 games clean sheet. First best player from outside S-America and Europe. First top scorer outside S-America and Europe. First hat-trick from Asian and African team. First time when one team makes 3 subs in first half. First referee sub. First team that all squad numbers have scored at least 1 goal. First penalty shoot-out in 3rd place game. AND MANY MANY MORE.