The 1958 Sweden World Cup

The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth edition of the tournament, was held from June 8 to June 29, 1958. It is remembered as one of the most iconic tournaments in football history, particularly because it was where Pelé, the Brazilian legend, emerged as a global star at just 17 years old.

Host and Participation

Sweden was chosen as the host country and organized the tournament across various cities, including Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö.

Sixteen teams participated:

West Germany
Argentina
Austria
Brazil
Czechoslovakia
Scotland
France
Wales
Hungary
England
Northern Ireland
Mexico
Paraguay
Sweden
Soviet Union
Yugoslavia

Tournament Format

The teams were divided into four groups of four. The top two teams from each group advanced to the knockout stage, which included quarterfinals, semifinals, and the grand final.

Pelé's Performance

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, made his World Cup debut with stunning performances. He scored a hat-trick in the semifinal against France (5-2 victory) and netted two goals in the final.

In total, Pelé scored six goals during the tournament. His skill, speed, and ability to score in crucial moments captured global attention.

The Grand Final

The final was played on June 29, 1958, at the Råsunda Stadium in Solna, near Stockholm, where Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2.

Vavá and Pelé each scored two goals, while Mário Zagallo added another. Sweden initially took the lead with a goal by Liedholm, but Brazil responded with a dominant comeback.

Fun Facts

Brazil won their first World Cup title in this edition, beginning their historic dominance in international football.
Just Fontaine, a French striker, was the tournament's top scorer with 13 goals, a record that still stands for a single World Cup.
This was the first World Cup broadcasted globally, which helped boost the tournament's popularity.

The 1958 Sweden World Cup left a significant legacy, not only due to Pelé's rise but also by establishing Brazil as a football powerhouse, a status solidified in the decades that followed.