List of FIFA World Cup opening matches

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The FIFA World Cup is an international association football competition established in 1930. It is contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The tournament has taken place every four years, except in 1942 and 1946, when the competition was cancelled due to World War II.

The World Cup opening match is the first of the competition. Opening match regulations have changed many times.[https://sports.news.naver.com/wfootball/news/read.nhn?oid=343&aid=0000081983 흥미로운 기록이 가득한 월드컵 개막전의 모든 것] Between 1974 and 2002, the defending champions were involved in the opening match. Since 2006, as the defending champions no longer qualify automatically, the opening matches involve the host nations.

List of opening matches

= Early years (1930–1970) =

class="sortable plainrowheaders wikitable"
scope="col"\|Year !scope="col"\|Team 1 !scope="col"\|Final score !scope="col"\|Team 2 !scope="col"\|Venue !scope="col"\|Location !scope="col"\|Attendance !scope="col" class="unsortable"\|References !scope="col"\|Notes
scope="row" rowspan="2" style=text-align:center\|1930 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|FRA\|1794}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|4–1 \|{{fb\|MEX\|1916}} \|Estadio Pocitos \|{{sort\|Uruguay, Montevideo\|Montevideo, Uruguay}} \|align=center\| 4,444 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150225150329/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=201/match=1096/index.html#nosticky Report] \|rowspan="2" align=left\| Two matches both played at the same time
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|USA\|1912}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|3–0 \|{{fb\|BEL}} \|Estadio Parque Central \|{{sort\|Uruguay, Montevideo\|Montevideo, Uruguay}} \|align=center\| 18,346 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150225150412/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=201/match=1090/index.html#nosticky Report]
scope="row" rowspan="8" style=text-align:center\|1934 \|align=right\| {{fb-rt\|ITA\|1861}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|7–1 \|{{fb\|USA\|1912}} \|Stadio Nazionale PNF \|{{sort\|Rome, Italy\|Rome, Italy}} \|align=center\| 25,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20160403213016/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1135/index.html Report] \|rowspan="8" align=left\| Eight matches were played at the same time
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|ESP\|1931}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|3–1 \|{{fb\|BRA\|1889}} \|Stadio Luigi Ferraris \|{{sort\|Genoa, Italy\|Genoa, Italy}} \|align=center\| 21,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150211011223/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1111/index.html Report]
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|AUT}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|3–2 \|{{fb\|FRA\|1794}} \|Stadio Benito Mussolini \|{{sort\|Turin, Italy\|Turin, Italy}} \|align=center\| 16,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20160409152050/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1104/index.html Report]
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|HUN\|1920}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|4–2 \|{{fb\|EGY\|1922}} \|Stadio Giorgio Ascarelli \|{{sort\|Naples, Italy\|Naples, Italy}} \|align=center\| 9,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150304041833/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1119/index.html Report]
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|CSK}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|2–1 \|{{fb\|ROU}} \|Stadio Littorio \|{{sort\|Trieste, Italy\|Trieste, Italy}} \|align=center\| 9,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150211014109/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1141/index.html Report]
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|SUI}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|3–2 \|{{fb\|NED}} \|Stadio San Siro \|{{sort\|Milan, Italy\|Milan, Italy}} \|align=center\| 33,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150715105630/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1133/index.html Report]
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|GER\|1933}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|5–2 \|{{fb\|BEL}} \|Stadio Giovanni Berta \|{{sort\|Florence, Italy\|Florence, Italy}} \|align=center\| 8,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150715164515/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1108/index.html Report]
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|SWE}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|3–2 \|{{fb\|ARG}} \|Stadio Littoriale \|{{sort\|Bologna, Italy\|Bologna, Italy}} \|align=center\| 14,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150713112442/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1102/index.html Report]
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1938 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|SUI}} \|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"\|1–1 \|{{fb\|GER\|1935}} \|Parc des Princes \|{{sort\|France, Paris\|Paris, France}} \|align=center\| 27,152 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150213225901/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=206/match=1165/index.html Report] \|align=left\| First opening match to end in a draw
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1950 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|BRA}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|4–0 \|{{fb\|MEX\|1934}} \|Maracanã Stadium \|{{sort\|Brazil, Rio de Janeiro\|Rio de Janeiro, Brazil}} \|align=center\| 81,649 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150216145404/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=208/match=1187/index.html#nosticky Report] \|align=left\| Brazil was the host country
scope="row" rowspan="4" style=text-align:center\|1954 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|BRA\|1889}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|5–0 \|{{fb\|MEX\|1934}} \|Charmilles Stadium \|{{sort\|Switzerland, Geneva\|Geneva, Switzerland}} \|align=center\| 13,470 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221193756/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=211/match=1249/index.html Report] \|rowspan="4" align=left\| Four matches were played at the same time
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|YUG}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|1–0 \|{{fb\|FRA}} \|Stade Olympique de la Pontaise \|{{sort\|Switzerland, Lausanne\|Lausanne, Switzerland}} \|align=center\| 16,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150414100744/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=211/match=1276/index.html Report]
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|URU}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|2–0 \|{{fb\|TCH}} \|Wankdorf Stadium \|{{sort\|Switzerland, Bern\|Bern, Switzerland}} \|align=center\| 20,500 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150413083507/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=211/match=1315/index.html Report]
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|AUT}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|1–0 \|{{fb\|SCO\|1542}} \|Hardturm Stadium \|{{sort\|Switzerland, Zürich\|Zürich, Switzerland}} \|align=center\| 25,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150521090856/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=211/match=1236/index.html Report]
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1958 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|SWE}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|3–0 \|{{fb\|MEX\|1934}} \|Råsunda Stadium \|{{sort\|Sweden, Solna\|Solna, Sweden}} \|align=center\| 34,107 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150216153217/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=220/match=1415/index.html Report] \|align=left\| Sweden was the host country
scope="row" rowspan="4" style=text-align:center\|1962 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|URU}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|2–1 \|{{fb\|COL}} \|Estadio Carlos Dittborn \|{{sort\|Chile, Arica\|Arica, Chile}} \|align=center\| 7,908 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160011/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=231/match=1479/index.html Report] \|rowspan="4" align=left\| Four matches were played at the same time
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|CHI}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|3–1 \|{{fb\|SUI}} \|Estadio Nacional \|{{sort\|Chile, Santiago\|Santiago, Chile}} \|align=center\| 65,006 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154659/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=231/match=1473/index.html Report]
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|BRA\|1960}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|2–0 \|{{fb\|MEX\|1934}} \|Estadio Sausalito \|{{sort\|Chile, Viña del Mar\|Viña del Mar, Chile}} \|align=center\| 10,484 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150216151817/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=231/match=1461/index.html Report]
align=right\|{{fb-rt\|ARG}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|1–0 \|{{fb\|BUL\|1946}} \|Estadio El Teniente \|{{sort\|Chile, Rancagua\|Rancagua, Chile}} \|align=center\| 7,134 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402164538/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=231/match=1447/index.html Report]
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1966 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|ENG}} \|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"\|0–0 \|{{fb\|URU}} \|Wembley Stadium \|{{sort\|England, London\|London, England}} \|align=center\| 87,148 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150805012320/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=238/match=1636/index.html Report] \|align=left\| England was the host country
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1970 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|MEX}} \|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"\|0–0 \|{{fb\|URS\|1955}} \|Estadio Azteca \|{{sort\|Mexico, Mexico City\|Mexico City, Mexico}} \|align=center\| 107,160 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150408012207/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=250/match=1902/index.html Report] \|align=left\| Mexico was the host country

class="sortable plainrowheaders wikitable"

scope="col"|Year

!scope="col"|Team 1

!scope="col"|Final score

!scope="col"|Team 2

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Location

!scope="col"|Attendance

!scope="col" class="unsortable"|References

!scope="col"|Notes

scope="row" rowspan="2" style=text-align:center|1930

|align=right|{{fb-rt|FRA|1794}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|4–1

|{{fb|MEX|1916}}

|Estadio Pocitos

|{{sort|Uruguay, Montevideo|Montevideo, Uruguay}}

|align=center| 4,444

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150225150329/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=201/match=1096/index.html#nosticky Report]

|rowspan="2" align=left| Two matches both played at the same time

align=right|{{fb-rt|USA|1912}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|3–0

|{{fb|BEL}}

|Estadio Parque Central

|{{sort|Uruguay, Montevideo|Montevideo, Uruguay}}

|align=center| 18,346

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150225150412/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=201/match=1090/index.html#nosticky Report]

scope="row" rowspan="8" style=text-align:center|1934

|align=right| {{fb-rt|ITA|1861}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|7–1

|{{fb|USA|1912}}

|Stadio Nazionale PNF

|{{sort|Rome, Italy|Rome, Italy}}

|align=center| 25,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20160403213016/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1135/index.html Report]

|rowspan="8" align=left| Eight matches were played at the same time

align=right|{{fb-rt|ESP|1931}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|3–1

|{{fb|BRA|1889}}

|Stadio Luigi Ferraris

|{{sort|Genoa, Italy|Genoa, Italy}}

|align=center| 21,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150211011223/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1111/index.html Report]

align=right|{{fb-rt|AUT}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|3–2

|{{fb|FRA|1794}}

|Stadio Benito Mussolini

|{{sort|Turin, Italy|Turin, Italy}}

|align=center| 16,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20160409152050/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1104/index.html Report]

align=right|{{fb-rt|HUN|1920}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|4–2

|{{fb|EGY|1922}}

|Stadio Giorgio Ascarelli

|{{sort|Naples, Italy|Naples, Italy}}

|align=center| 9,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150304041833/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1119/index.html Report]

align=right|{{fb-rt|CSK}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|2–1

|{{fb|ROU}}

|Stadio Littorio

|{{sort|Trieste, Italy|Trieste, Italy}}

|align=center| 9,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150211014109/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1141/index.html Report]

align=right|{{fb-rt|SUI}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|3–2

|{{fb|NED}}

|Stadio San Siro

|{{sort|Milan, Italy|Milan, Italy}}

|align=center| 33,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150715105630/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1133/index.html Report]

align=right|{{fb-rt|GER|1933}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|5–2

|{{fb|BEL}}

|Stadio Giovanni Berta

|{{sort|Florence, Italy|Florence, Italy}}

|align=center| 8,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150715164515/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1108/index.html Report]

align=right|{{fb-rt|SWE}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|3–2

|{{fb|ARG}}

|Stadio Littoriale

|{{sort|Bologna, Italy|Bologna, Italy}}

|align=center| 14,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150713112442/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=204/match=1102/index.html Report]

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1938

|align=right|{{fb-rt|SUI}}

|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"|1–1

|{{fb|GER|1935}}

|Parc des Princes

|{{sort|France, Paris|Paris, France}}

|align=center| 27,152

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150213225901/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=206/match=1165/index.html Report]

|align=left| First opening match to end in a draw

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1950

|align=right|{{fb-rt|BRA}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|4–0

|{{fb|MEX|1934}}

|Maracanã Stadium

|{{sort|Brazil, Rio de Janeiro|Rio de Janeiro, Brazil}}

|align=center| 81,649

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150216145404/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=208/match=1187/index.html#nosticky Report]

|align=left| Brazil was the host country

scope="row" rowspan="4" style=text-align:center|1954

|align=right|{{fb-rt|BRA|1889}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|5–0

|{{fb|MEX|1934}}

|Charmilles Stadium

|{{sort|Switzerland, Geneva|Geneva, Switzerland}}

|align=center| 13,470

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221193756/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=211/match=1249/index.html Report]

|rowspan="4" align=left| Four matches were played at the same time

align=right|{{fb-rt|YUG}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|1–0

|{{fb|FRA}}

|Stade Olympique de la Pontaise

|{{sort|Switzerland, Lausanne|Lausanne, Switzerland}}

|align=center| 16,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150414100744/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=211/match=1276/index.html Report]

align=right|{{fb-rt|URU}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|2–0

|{{fb|TCH}}

|Wankdorf Stadium

|{{sort|Switzerland, Bern|Bern, Switzerland}}

|align=center| 20,500

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150413083507/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=211/match=1315/index.html Report]

align=right|{{fb-rt|AUT}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|1–0

|{{fb|SCO|1542}}

|Hardturm Stadium

|{{sort|Switzerland, Zürich|Zürich, Switzerland}}

|align=center| 25,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150521090856/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=211/match=1236/index.html Report]

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1958

|align=right|{{fb-rt|SWE}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|3–0

|{{fb|MEX|1934}}

|Råsunda Stadium

|{{sort|Sweden, Solna|Solna, Sweden}}

|align=center| 34,107

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150216153217/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=220/match=1415/index.html Report]

|align=left| Sweden was the host country

scope="row" rowspan="4" style=text-align:center|1962

|align=right|{{fb-rt|URU}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|2–1

|{{fb|COL}}

|Estadio Carlos Dittborn

|{{sort|Chile, Arica|Arica, Chile}}

|align=center| 7,908

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160011/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=231/match=1479/index.html Report]

|rowspan="4" align=left| Four matches were played at the same time

align=right|{{fb-rt|CHI}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|3–1

|{{fb|SUI}}

|Estadio Nacional

|{{sort|Chile, Santiago|Santiago, Chile}}

|align=center| 65,006

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154659/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=231/match=1473/index.html Report]

align=right|{{fb-rt|BRA|1960}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|2–0

|{{fb|MEX|1934}}

|Estadio Sausalito

|{{sort|Chile, Viña del Mar|Viña del Mar, Chile}}

|align=center| 10,484

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150216151817/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=231/match=1461/index.html Report]

align=right|{{fb-rt|ARG}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|1–0

|{{fb|BUL|1946}}

|Estadio El Teniente

|{{sort|Chile, Rancagua|Rancagua, Chile}}

|align=center| 7,134

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402164538/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=231/match=1447/index.html Report]

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1966

|align=right|{{fb-rt|ENG}}

|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"|0–0

|{{fb|URU}}

|Wembley Stadium

|{{sort|England, London|London, England}}

|align=center| 87,148

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150805012320/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=238/match=1636/index.html Report]

|align=left| England was the host country

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1970

|align=right|{{fb-rt|MEX}}

|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"|0–0

|{{fb|URS|1955}}

|Estadio Azteca

|{{sort|Mexico, Mexico City|Mexico City, Mexico}}

|align=center| 107,160

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150408012207/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=250/match=1902/index.html Report]

|align=left| Mexico was the host country

= Defending champion era (1974–2002) =

class="sortable plainrowheaders wikitable"
scope="col"\|Year !scope="col"\|Defending champion !scope="col"\|Final score !scope="col"\|Opponent !scope="col"\|Venue !scope="col"\|Location !scope="col"\|Attendance !scope="col" class="unsortable"\|References !scope="col"\|Notes
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1974 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|BRA\|1968}} \|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"\|0–0 \|{{fb\|YUG}} \|Waldstadion \|{{sort\|West Germany, Frankfurt\|Frankfurt, West Germany}} \|align=center\| 62,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150414141305/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=262/match=1986/index.html Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1978 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|FRG}} \|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"\|0–0 \|{{fb\|POL\|1928}} \|Estadio Monumental \|{{sort\|Argentina, Buenos Aires\|Buenos Aires, Argentina}} \|align=center\| 67,579 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104843/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=278/match=2351/ Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1982 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|ARG}} \|align=center bgcolor="#FBCEB1"\|0–1 \|{{fb\|BEL}} \|Camp Nou \|{{sort\|Spain, Barcelona\|Barcelona, Spain}} \|align=center\| 95,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150721183839/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=293/match=749/index.html Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1986 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|ITA}} \|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"\|1–1 \|{{fb\|BUL\|1971}} \|Estadio Azteca \|{{sort\|Mexico, Mexico City\|Mexico City, Mexico}} \|align=center\| 96,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305024533/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=308/match=459/index.html Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1990 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|ARG}} \|align=center bgcolor="#FBCEB1"\|0–1 \|{{fb\|CMR}} \|San Siro \|{{sort\|Italy, Milan\|Milan, Italy}} \|align=center\| 73,780 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150521073844/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=322/match=26/index.html Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1994 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|GER}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|1–0 \|{{fb\|BOL\|state}} \|Soldier Field \|{{sort\|United States, Chicago\|Chicago, United States}} \|align=center\| 63,117 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150223034925/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=337/match=3049/index.html Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|1998 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|BRA}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|2–1 \|{{fb\|SCO\|1542}} \|Stade de France \|{{sort\|France, Saint-Denis\|Saint-Denis, France}} \|align=center\| 80,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150216014625/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=1014/match=4000/index.html Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|2002 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|FRA\|1974}} \|align=center bgcolor="#FBCEB1"\|0–1 \|{{fb\|SEN}} \|Seoul World Cup Stadium \|{{sort\|South Korea, Seoul\|Seoul, South Korea}} \|align=center\| 62,561 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150530032135/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=43950100/match=43950001/index.html Report] \|align=left\|

class="sortable plainrowheaders wikitable"

scope="col"|Year

!scope="col"|Defending
champion

!scope="col"|Final score

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Location

!scope="col"|Attendance

!scope="col" class="unsortable"|References

!scope="col"|Notes

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1974

|align=right|{{fb-rt|BRA|1968}}

|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"|0–0

|{{fb|YUG}}

|Waldstadion

|{{sort|West Germany, Frankfurt|Frankfurt, West Germany}}

|align=center| 62,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150414141305/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=262/match=1986/index.html Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1978

|align=right|{{fb-rt|FRG}}

|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"|0–0

|{{fb|POL|1928}}

|Estadio Monumental

|{{sort|Argentina, Buenos Aires|Buenos Aires, Argentina}}

|align=center| 67,579

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104843/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=278/match=2351/ Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1982

|align=right|{{fb-rt|ARG}}

|align=center bgcolor="#FBCEB1"|0–1

|{{fb|BEL}}

|Camp Nou

|{{sort|Spain, Barcelona|Barcelona, Spain}}

|align=center| 95,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150721183839/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=293/match=749/index.html Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1986

|align=right|{{fb-rt|ITA}}

|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"|1–1

|{{fb|BUL|1971}}

|Estadio Azteca

|{{sort|Mexico, Mexico City|Mexico City, Mexico}}

|align=center| 96,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305024533/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=308/match=459/index.html Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1990

|align=right|{{fb-rt|ARG}}

|align=center bgcolor="#FBCEB1"|0–1

|{{fb|CMR}}

|San Siro

|{{sort|Italy, Milan|Milan, Italy}}

|align=center| 73,780

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150521073844/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=322/match=26/index.html Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1994

|align=right|{{fb-rt|GER}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|1–0

|{{fb|BOL|state}}

|Soldier Field

|{{sort|United States, Chicago|Chicago, United States}}

|align=center| 63,117

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150223034925/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=337/match=3049/index.html Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|1998

|align=right|{{fb-rt|BRA}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|2–1

|{{fb|SCO|1542}}

|Stade de France

|{{sort|France, Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis, France}}

|align=center| 80,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150216014625/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=1014/match=4000/index.html Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|2002

|align=right|{{fb-rt|FRA|1974}}

|align=center bgcolor="#FBCEB1"|0–1

|{{fb|SEN}}

|Seoul World Cup Stadium

|{{sort|South Korea, Seoul|Seoul, South Korea}}

|align=center| 62,561

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150530032135/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=43950100/match=43950001/index.html Report]

|align=left|

= Host country era (2006–) =

class="sortable plainrowheaders wikitable"
scope="col"\|Year !scope="col"\|Host country !scope="col"\|Final score !scope="col"\|Opponent !scope="col"\|Venue !scope="col"\|Location !scope="col"\|Attendance !scope="col" class="unsortable"\|References !scope="col"\|Notes
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|2006 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|GER}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|4–2 \|{{fb\|CRC}} \|FIFA WM Stadion München \|{{sort\|Germany, Munich\|Munich, Germany}} \|align=center\| 66,000 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150622121531/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=97410100/match=97410001/index.html Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|2010 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|RSA}} \|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"\|1–1 \|align=left\|{{fb\|MEX}} \|Soccer City \|{{sort\|South Africa, Johannesburg\|Johannesburg, South Africa}} \|align=center\| 84,490 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20100614173111/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061454/report.html Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|2014 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|BRA}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|3–1 \|align=left\|{{fb\|CRO}} \|Arena de São Paulo \|{{sort\|Brasil, São Paulo\|São Paulo, Brazil}} \|align=center\| 62,103 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20140615054737/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255931/match=300186456/report.html Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|2018 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|RUS}} \|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"\|5–0 \|align=left\|{{fb\|KSA}} \|Luzhniki Stadium \|{{sort\|Russia, Moscow\|Moscow, Russia}} \|align=center\| 78,011 \|align=center\| [https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143618/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/match/300331503/#motm Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|2022 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|Qatar}} \|align=center bgcolor="#FBCEB1"\|0–2 \|align=left\|{{fb\|Ecuador}} \|Al Bayt Stadium \|{{sort\|Al Khor, Qatar\|Al Khor, Qatar}} \|align=center\| 67,372 \|align=center\| [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/17/255711/285063/400128082 Report] \|align=left\|
scope="row" style=text-align:center\|2026 \|align=right\|{{fb-rt\|Mexico}} \|align=center \| \|align=left\| \|Estadio Azteca \|{{sort\|Mexico, Mexico City\|Mexico City, Mexico}} \|align=center\| \|align=center\| \|align=left\|

class="sortable plainrowheaders wikitable"

scope="col"|Year

!scope="col"|Host
country

!scope="col"|Final score

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Location

!scope="col"|Attendance

!scope="col" class="unsortable"|References

!scope="col"|Notes

scope="row" style=text-align:center|2006

|align=right|{{fb-rt|GER}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|4–2

|{{fb|CRC}}

|FIFA WM Stadion München

|{{sort|Germany, Munich|Munich, Germany}}

|align=center| 66,000

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150622121531/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=97410100/match=97410001/index.html Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|2010

|align=right|{{fb-rt|RSA}}

|align=center bgcolor="#fedff2"|1–1

|align=left|{{fb|MEX}}

|Soccer City

|{{sort|South Africa, Johannesburg|Johannesburg, South Africa}}

|align=center| 84,490

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20100614173111/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061454/report.html Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|2014

|align=right|{{fb-rt|BRA}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|3–1

|align=left|{{fb|CRO}}

|Arena de São Paulo

|{{sort|Brasil, São Paulo|São Paulo, Brazil}}

|align=center| 62,103

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20140615054737/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255931/match=300186456/report.html Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|2018

|align=right|{{fb-rt|RUS}}

|align=center bgcolor="#cedff2"|5–0

|align=left|{{fb|KSA}}

|Luzhniki Stadium

|{{sort|Russia, Moscow|Moscow, Russia}}

|align=center| 78,011

|align=center| [https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143618/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/match/300331503/#motm Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|2022

|align=right|{{fb-rt|Qatar}}

|align=center bgcolor="#FBCEB1"|0–2

|align=left|{{fb|Ecuador}}

|Al Bayt Stadium

|{{sort|Al Khor, Qatar|Al Khor, Qatar}}

|align=center| 67,372

|align=center| [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/17/255711/285063/400128082 Report]

|align=left|

scope="row" style=text-align:center|2026

|align=right|{{fb-rt|Mexico}}

|align=center |

|align=left|

|Estadio Azteca

|{{sort|Mexico, Mexico City|Mexico City, Mexico}}

|align=center|

|align=left|

References

External links

Category:FIFA World Cup openings

Category:Lists of FIFA World Cup matches

List of FIFA World Cup opening matches

List of opening matches

= Early years (1930–1970) =

= Defending champion era (1974–2002) =

= Host country era (2006–) =

See also

References

External links