Major international football (soccer) competition. The tournament brings together 32 qualifying national teams from around the world, culminating in a match between the two top teams. It has been held every fourth year since 1930 (except during World War II). Followed and watched by billions of people worldwide, it has by far the greatest audience of any single sporting event in the world. Several competitions in other sports also use the name "world cup
a soccer tournament held every four years between national soccer teams to determine a world champion
[ 'w&r(-&)ld ] (noun.) before 12th century. Middle English, from Old English woruld human existence, this world, age ; akin to Old English wer man, eald old; more at VIRILE, OLD.