1958 FIFA World Cup

Format and venues

The competition used four groups of four teams, with the top two in each group advancing to the quarterfinals. Matches were spread across several Swedish cities, including venues in and around Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. The final was played at Råsunda Stadium in Solna, near Stockholm.

Key players and records

Several individual performances became part of football lore. France's Just Fontaine set a still-standing record by scoring 13 goals in a single World Cup tournament. Brazil's 17-year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, gained worldwide attention after contributing crucial goals during the knockout stages and scoring in the final as Brazil secured the championship.

Outcome and significance

Brazil defeated the host nation in the final to lift their first World Cup trophy. The team's play, combining creative attacking football and tactical shifts such as the increasingly influential 4-2-4 formation, helped shape future approaches to the game. The tournament also reinforced the global appeal of the World Cup as television coverage and international interest grew.

Historical context and legacy

Held in postwar Europe, the 1958 World Cup highlighted changing styles and the rise of new footballing powers. It remains a reference point for the careers of players who became legends and for records that endure. For further summaries and archival material, see the general 1958 FIFA World Cup overview, basic information about football competitions, and background on Sweden as a host nation.

Notable facts: the tournament field comprised 16 teams, used a group-plus-knockout format, and produced memorable individual and team achievements that continue to be cited in discussions of World Cup history.