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Quickies

Did you know …

that despite having to wear eyeglasses while playing, shortsighted Swiss centre-forward Poldi Kielholz scored three goals in two matches in the 1934 World Cup finals?

Why did India once withdraw from the World Cup?

The team from India withdrew from the 1950 World Cup finals because FIFA would not permit them to play barefoot, as was their custom.

What was the highest attendance for a World Cup final?

There’s agreement on the match, but not on the number. The BBC reports that 199,854 spectators attended the World Cup final between Brazil and Uruguay at Estádio do Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro on July 16, 1950. But FIFA officially records the number at 174,000. Either way, it stands as a record attendance.

Quickies

Did you know …

that the 1958 World Cup marked the debut on the world stage of 17-year-old Pelé?

Who was the youngest player to score in the World Cup finals?

That would be none other than Pelé, who was 17 years and 239 days old when he scored for Brazil against Wales to win a quarter-final match 1–0 on June 19, 1958. Brazil went on to win the tournament and Pelé still holds the record for youngest player to have played for a World Cup champion team.