Since the first edition almost 100 years ago in 1930, the FIFA World Cup has grown to become the biggest sporting event in the world. Every four years, teams from across the globe compete for the chance to be crowned world champions.

Each tournament held since the inaugural edition in Montevideo, Uruguay features a final venue that is used to host the contest between the best two teams at each year’s tournament. These venues are often the setting of some the greatest moments in football and sporting history.

From 1998 to 2014, the World Cup was hosted in five different cities across four continents. The 2002 edition of the tournament was held in Asia for the first time whilst eight years later the tournament would see its first edition held on the African continent.

1998 – Stade de France, Paris, France

Opened in 1998, the Stade de France was built in preparation to host matches at that year’s FIFA World Cup. The stadium currently has a maximum capacity of 81,338 making it the largest football stadium in France and the fifth largest across Europe.

The stadium hosted nine matches at the 1998 FIFA World Cup including the final match. In the final, hosts France would win their first title, defeating Brazil 3-0 in front of a home crowd of 75,000.

Since the World Cup, the stadium continues to regularly host football matches serving as the home ground of the French national football team. As France’s premier sporting venue, the stadium continues to be used for major sporting events including hosting matches at Euro 2016, the 2003 Confederations Cup, two Rugby World Cups and a Champions League Final. The stadium is also due to host the athletics program at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

2002 – International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan

Opened in 1998, the International Stadium has been the largest stadium in Japan since opening with a capacity of 72,327. Although technically a multi-purpose stadium, the venue is mostly considered a football stadium due to having hosted several important tournaments and serving as the home ground of Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 League.

Due to the number of venues used at the joint Japan/South Korea World Cup, only four matches were held at the stadium during the 2002 edition of the tournament, three group games and the final match. The final saw Brazil win a record fifth World Cup in a 2-0 win over Germany in front of crowd of 69,029.

Post World Cup, the stadium continues to feature as a centerpiece in most major sporting events held in Japan. Several FIFA Club World Cups have been held at the stadium as well as matches at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics including the both football gold medal matches. Matches at the 2019 Rugby World Cup were also held at the stadium including the final match.

2006 – Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany

The Olympiastadion is a historic stadium that has been one of Germany’s main sporting venues since opening in 1936 as part of Berlin’s hosting of the Olympic Games where it hosted the football program. Three group games from a group involving both West and East Germany were held at the stadium during the 1974 World Cup before the venue would play a more prominent role 32 years later at the 2006 edition of the tournament.

Six matches were played at the stadium during the 2006 World Cup including the final between Italy and France. In the final, Italy would win their fourth title, defeating France 1–1 (5–3) on penalties in front of a crowd of 69,000.

The stadium is still used for football, serving as the home ground of Hertha BSC as well as hosting most of the German national football team matches. The stadium is also due to host matches at Euro 2024 including the final. The stadium regularly hosts major athletics events and is a popular concert venue.

2010 – Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa

The stadium originally opened in 1989 but was heavily remodeled and expanded in preparation to host matches at the 2010 World Cup. These renovations included the addition of the iconic mosaic-style cladding to the venues exterior which was intended to resemble a traditional African calabash.

The stadium hosted eight matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup including the final match and the thrilling quarter final between Uruguay and Ghana which considered by many to be the best match of the tournament. In the final, Spain would win their first title, defeating Netherlands 1-0 in front of a crowd of 84,490.

Since 2010, the stadium has served has the home ground of South African club football team Kaizer Chiefs as well as hosting the 2013 African Cup of Nations. The stadium has also been used for Rugby matches and is a popular concert venue for local and international musicians.

2014 – Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The iconic Maracanã was originally built in 1950 where it became the largest stadium in the world. The stadium was remolded extensively in preparation for Brazil’s second time hosting the World Cup. Most of the stadium’s interior was gutted and replaced by a modern design that significantly reduced the venue’s seating capacity.

Much like 1950, the stadium hosted seven matches at the 2014 edition of the tournament including the final match. The final match of the tournament saw Germany win their fourth World Cup in a 1-0 win over Argentina in front of 74,738 spectators.

The stadium is still used for selected Brazilian national football team matches as well as serving as the home ground of Brazilian club teams Flamengo and Fluminense. The stadium would also host the opening/closing ceremonies and football matches at the 2016 Rio Olympics including both gold medal matches.