The World Cup has provided some of the most memorable, legendary, breathtaking and heartbreaking moments in the history of sport. Here, in no particular order, are a selection of the most iconic World Cup photographs you are likely to find.
All photos are from and are credit to GettyImages.com, via their embed option. All photos link automatically back to Getty and are captioned by Getty.
Jules Rimet, president of FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football), presents the first World Cup trophy (the Jules Rimet Trophy) to Dr Paul Jude, the president of the Uruguayan Football Association, after Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the first ever World Cup final in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Diego Maradona of Argentina handles the ball past Peter Shilton of England to score the opening goal of the World Cup Quarter Final at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico.
Daniel Passarella during the FIFA World Cup final match between Argentina and The Netherlands on June 25, 1978 at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespuci at Buenos Aires, Argentina
1970 World Cup Final, Mexico City, Mexico, 21st June 1970, Brazil 4 v Italy 1, Brazil’s Pele is chaired off the Azteca Stadium pitch wearing a sombrero after Brazil had won the World Cup trophy for the third time
Brazilian player Zito celebrates scoring the second goal for Brazil during the 1962 World Cup final in Santiago, Chile. Brazil beat Czechoslovakia 3-1.
Ronaldo of Brazil celebrates after scoring opening goal during the Germany v Brazil, World Cup Final match played at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan on June 30, 2002. Brazil won 2-0.
Brazilian footballer Pele holds up the Jules Rimet Trophy after Brazil’s 4-1 World Cup Final victory over Italy at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, 21st June 1970. Pele scored the first of his team’s goals in the match
The Italian players celebrate as Fabio Cannavaro of Italy lifts the World Cup trophy aloft following victory in a penalty shootout at the end of the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany
11 Jul 1982: Marco Tardelli (right) of Italy celebrates scoring the second goal against West Germany during the 1982 World Cup final at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. Italy won the match 3-1.
Giuseppe Meazza of Italy out-plays an Austrian forward to set up Enrico Guaita to score, ten minutes into his team’s World Cup semifinal against Austria at San Siro, Milan, 3rd June 1934. Italy won the match 1-0 and went on to win the competition.
Andres Iniesta of Spain holds the World Cup trophy aloft after the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Berlin, GERMANY: A photo taken 09 July 2006 shows French midfielder Zinedine Zidane (L) gesturing after head-butting Italian defender Marco Materazzi during the World Cup 2006 final football match between Italy and France at Berlin?s Olympic Stadium.
ROBERTO BAGGIO OF ITALY CELEBRATES AFTER SCORING ON A PENALTY KICK DURING THEIR SECOND ROUND MATCH AGAINAST NIGERIA DURING THE 1994 WORLD CUP AT FOXBORO STADIUM IN MASSACHUSETTS. ITALY WON THE GAME, 2-1, IN EXTRA TIME
21 Jul 1966. Nobby Stiles of England kicks the ball over his head to avoid Robert Budzinski of France during the first round match in the World Cup Finals at Wembley.
RAY HOUGHTON #8 OF IRELAND SUMMERSAULTS AFTER A GOAL AS teammate TERRY PHELAN LOOKS ON DURING IRELAND’s 1-0 VICTORY OVER ITALY IN THE 1994 WORLD CUP GAME AT THE MEADOWLANDS+ GIANTS STADIUM IN EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY
Rivaldo and Ronaldo of Brazil kiss the trophy after the Germany v Brazil, World Cup Final match played at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan on June 30, 2002.
1966 World Cup Final at Wembley. England 4 v West Germany 2 a.e.t. England captain Bobby Moore holds aloft the World Cup (Jules Rimet trophy) as the team gather around to celebrate.
Photo taken on June 25, 1978 when Argentinian midfielder Mario Kempes (L) who had just scored his second goal celebrated in front of forward Daniel Bertoni and Dutch defenders Wim Suurbier (on ground) and Jan Poortvliet(facing camera) in Buenos Aires during the extra time period of the World Cup soccer final between Argentina and the Netherlands.
Mario Kempes of Argentina celebrates scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup Finals 1978 Final between Argentina and Holland held on June 25, 1978 at the River Plate Stadium, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentina won the match and cup 3-1 after extra-time.
goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol (2nd L) Rob Rensenbrink (3rd R) during the FIFA World Cup final match between Argentina and The Netherlands on June 25, 1978 at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespuci at Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Spain team celebrate winning the World Cup as captain Iker Casillas (C) waves to fans during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
1970 World Cup Final. Mexico City. 21st June 1970. Brazil 4 v Italy 1. Brazil captain Carlos Alberto rounds of a great team display by scoring the fourth goal as he runs away to celebrate.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 11: Andres Iniesta of Spain celebrates scoring the winning goal during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
7 Jul 1974: West Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer (left) embraces coach Helmut Schoen (right) after winning the FIFA World Cup Final against Holland played at the Olympic Stadium, in Munich, Germany. West Germany won the match and trophy 2
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 4: German national soccer team players execute the nazi salute, 04 June 1938 at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, before the start of their World Cup match against Switzerland. (From L : Hans Mock, Rudi Raftl, Willi Schmaus, Jupp Gauchel, Rudi Gellesh, Ernst Lehner, Paul Janes, Willi Hahnemann, Anderl Kupfer, Hans Pesser, Albin Kitzinger)
Italian midfielder Francesco Totti celebrates with the trophy after the World Cup 2006 final football game Italy vs.France, 09 July 2006 at Berlin stadium. Italy won the 2006 football World Cup by defeating France on penalties.
Uruguayan forward Juan Alberto Schiaffino (C) kicks the ball past Brazilian goalkeeper Moacyr Barbosa to tie the score at 1 during the World Cup final round soccer match between Uruguay and Brazil 16 July 1950 in Rio de Janeiro. Uruguay upset Brazil 2-1 to win its second World title after winning the first World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay.
AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE ROSE BOWL IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA DURING THE 1994 WORLD CUP FINAL IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
An aerial view of the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, venue for the first FIFA World Cup Final, 30th July 1930. Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2 to win the Jules Rimet trophy
Brazil’s team captain and defender Cafu kisses the World Cup trophy, celebrating Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Germany in match 64 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan final 30 June, 2002 at the International Stadium Yokohama, Japan.
Italian forward Roberto Baggio watches his penalty kick go over the crossbar as Brazilian goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel dives the wrong way during the penalty shoot-out of the Soccer World Cup final, 17 July 1994 at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.
Football 18th June 1938. World Cup Finals. Marseilles, France. Semi-Final. Italy 2 v Brazil 1. Italian goalkeeper Olivieri leaps to save during the match.
The Italian football team with their coach Vittorio Pozzo before the World Cup final against Hungary at the Stade Olympique de Colombes, Paris. The Italians won the match 4-2.
BEBETO #7 OF BRAZIL IS JOINED IN HIS SAMBA CELEBRATIONS BY ROMARIO RIGHT AND MAZINHO LEFT AFTER SCORING THE SECOND GOAL AGAINST HOLLAND DURING THE 1994 WORLD CUP QUARTER FINAL MATCH AT THE COTTON BOWL STADIUM IN DALLAS, TEXAS.
The Centenary Stadium Montevideo, Uruguay which hosted the first F,I,F,A,World Cup Final in 1930
Romario (with trophy) and captain Dunga of Brazil and the Brazilian team celebrate after winning the1994 FIFA World Cup Final against Italy on 17 July 1994 played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, United States. Brazil defeated Italy 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
1986 World Cup Final, Azteca Stadium, Mexico, 29th June, 1986, Argentina 3 v West Germany 2, Excited Argentine fans hold umbrellas and flags in their team’s colours before the match
1970 World Cup Finals, Mexico City, Mexico 31st May, 1970. Opening Ceremony. A general view of the Azteca Stadium during opening ceremonies. The opening game between Mexico and Soviet Union ended in a goalless draw.
1990 World Cup Finals, Milan, Italy, 10th June, 1990, West Germany 4 v Yugoslavia 1, West Germany’s Lothar Matthaeus celebrates after scoring the first goal
1st June 1978: Members of the Argentinian football team celebrating their victory over Holland in the World Cup match.
12 Jul 1998: Zinedine Zidane of France beats Claudio Taffarel in the Brazil goal to head home the opener during the World Cup Final at the Stade de France in St Denis. Zidane scored twice as France won 3-0
1986 World Cup Final, Azteca Stadium, Mexico, 29th June, 1986, Argentina 3 v West Germany 2, Argentina’s Diego Maradona goes flying over the challenges of West German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher and defender Karl Heinz Foerster
Bobby Charlton scores England’s second goal as Portugal’s Jose Carlos runs in to try and intercept during the World Cup semi-final match at Wembley, 27th July 1966. England won the match 2-1.
30 Jun 1998: David Beckham of England is sent off by referee Kim Nielsen after lashing out at Diego Simeone of Argentina during the World Cup second round match at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in St Etienne, France. England lost 4-3 on penalties as the ended 2-2 after extra-time \ Mandatory Credit: Ross Kinnaird /Allsport
Sport. Football. 1950. 1950 World Cup Finals in Brazil. Cover of a souvenir brochure produced to celebrate Uruguay’s World Cup success, as they defeated the host nation 2-1 in the Final played in Rio’s Maracana Stadium.
Argentine’s national soccer team captain Daniel Passarella holds the World Cup trophy as he is carried on the shoulders of fans after Argentina defeated the Netherlands 3-1 in extra time, 25 June 1978 in Buenos Aires, during the World Cup soccer final. It is Argentina’s first-ever World Cup title.
(L-R) Jan poortvliet, Mario Kempes, Wim Suurbier during the FIFA World Cup final match between Argentina and The Netherlands on June 25, 1978 at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespuci at Buenos Aires, Argentina.
World Cup 98: Joy Of The Supporters In Nantes, France On July 12, 1998.
Juergen Klinsmann of Germany gestures during the FIFA World Cup group c match between Germany and South Korea on June 27, 1994 in Dallas, United States. (
Football World Cup Between Italy And Hungary On June 19Th 1938.
