for grade 10 students

Preview audio:

storyj.mp/acb2bv95yavq

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow

World Cup, the international footballtournament, is held every four years. It is considered the most popular sporting event in the world. The World Cup is followed with passionate interest around the globe – the final game of the 2002 World Cup tournament attracted more than one billion viewers.

In 1904, FIFA, the governing body for football, was set up. At its first meeting, FIFA planned to organize a world championship. But it was not until 1930 that the first World Cup was held. Only 13 teams took part in the first tournament. The host nation, Uruguay, gained a victory over Argentina in the final and became the first champion in the history of the World Cup. By 2002, the world had witnessed 17 World Cup tournaments. National football teams must now compete in elimination games within their own regions before becoming one of the 32 finalists.

The 2002 World Cup final was jointly held by Japan and South Korea. It was the first time the World Cup was played in Asia and the first time it was hosted by two nations. With the victory over Germany in the final match, Brazil became the first team to win the trophy five times. Although Europe and South America are the only continents to have produced World Cup champions, countries on other continents hope that one day they will win the honoured title.