The Guardian's World Cup final quiz
With the 2026 World Cup final just days away, The Guardian has produced a 15-question quiz to test fans' knowledge of past finals. Compiled by Richard Foster, who presents the It Started With A Kick podcast and writes daily quizzes for the Seventh Heaven app, the quiz spans decades of tournament history.
Argentina and Spain will contest Sunday's showpiece, but how much do you remember about previous finals? From the first penalty scored to the only player to score in three finals, the questions are designed to challenge even the most ardent football historians.
Memorable questions from the quiz
One question asks: Who was the first player to score a penalty in a World Cup final? The answer, Paul Breitner of West Germany, converted from the spot against the Netherlands in 1974. Another highlights the unique 1950 tournament, when Uruguay beat Brazil at the Maracanã — not in a final, but in the decisive final group match.
The quiz also revisits modern history: Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty for Argentina in the 2022 shootout against France. And Kylian Mbappé is one of four players to have scored four times in finals, alongside Pelé, Vavá, and Paul Breitner.
Fans can test their knowledge on everything from red cards to comebacks, with questions on Lionel Messi's first final appearance (the only goal scored by Mario Götze in 2014) and the rarity of extra time in recent deciders.
The full quiz is available on The Guardian's website, and Foster encourages supporters to try it ahead of Sunday's kick-off. It's a perfect way to warm up for what promises to be a memorable final.