Which country hosted the 1954 FIFA World Cup?

Switzerland hosted the 1954 FIFA World Cup. It was the tournament’s fifth edition and took place from 16 June to 4 July 1954.

Switzerland was awarded hosting rights unopposed at a FIFA meeting in Luxembourg on 22 July 1946. The tournament used six venues in six cities, including Bern, Basel, Zurich, Lausanne, Geneva and Lugano. The hosts qualified automatically, as was customary for the host nation.

The competition is especially remembered for its remarkable scoring rate: 140 goals were scored in 26 matches. Switzerland reached the quarter-finals but lost 7–5 to Austria in the highest-scoring match in men’s World Cup history. West Germany eventually won the title, defeating Hungary 3–2 in the final at Bern’s Wankdorf Stadium.

A common mix-up is confusing the host with the champion. Switzerland staged the tournament, but West Germany won it; Hungary finished runner-up and Austria placed third.