Random World Cup Facts

I know Saudi Arabia has played 16 matches against 16 different opponents.

 

That's the answer.

Amazingly, they've played all these teams only once:

1. Belgium

2. Cameroon

3. Denmark

4. Egypt

5. France

6. Germany

7. Ireland

8. Morocco

9. Netherlands

10. Russia

11. South Africa

12. Spain

13. Sweden

14. Tunisia

15. Ukraine

16. Uruguay

 

Partly, yes. But Iran has had a Concacaf opponent twice (USA WC98, Mexico WC06) and Saudi Arabia qualified to both WC98 and WC06 . But, overall, the number of AFC v Concacaf matches have been fewer than what you might expect. Mexico's success, however, in advancing to the R-16 has often (WC98 v S.Korea, WC06 v Iran, WC18 v S.Korea) been predicated on beating their AFC opponent.

 

For a UEFA team to win the WC trophy, they have to win the Final at their first attempt (Italy, Germany, England, France and Spain). Otherwise, they may never win it (Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, Sweden, and now Croatia).

For CONMEBOL, Uruguay won it at the first attempt (duh), but Argentina and Brazil won it at their second attempt.

 

is that what you mean (since Germany, Italy, and France have more than 1 WC title)?

 

To win the WC trophy for the first time

 

Portugal could be the next new country to win the World Cup. They won one EURO tournament and never made the World Cup final.

Unfortunately for them it won't happen in the time of Ronaldo though.