Football fans in Gaza watch World Cup amongst the rubble. #WorldCup #BBCNews

Related reading

• World Cup 2026 Explained: 48 Teams, Three Host Countries, and a New Format

  The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest ever — 48 teams, 104 matches, and hosted across USA, Canada, and…

• Rugby World Cup Explained: How It Works, Why New Zealand Dominate, and England's 2003 Glory

  The Rugby World Cup is held every 4 years with 20 teams — here's how it works, why the All Blacks are the…

• Cricket World Cup Explained: How It Works, Why India Dominate, and England's 2019 Triumph

  The Cricket World Cup is the sport's biggest tournament — here's how it works, why it matters, and why…

• The Premier League at 30+: How It Became the World's Most Watched Football League

  The Premier League was founded in 1992 and has become a global sporting phenomenon. Here is how it happened…