With 84 days to go until the World Cup, we look back at the defining image of each tournament over the last 50 years, starting with a familiar snapshot from 1966...
World Cup's defining images
England '66(01 of12)
"They think it's all over... it is now." Possibly the most celebrated picture in English football, this is the moment Geoff Hurst became the first (and still only) player to hit a hat-trick in a World Cup final to secure England's victory against West Germany. The wide scale, the scoreboard in the background, the Wembley bowl, the divots in the pitch and Hurst in flight contribute to a genuinely iconic image.
Mexico '70(02 of12)
Pelé jumps into Jairzinho's arms after opening the scoring on his last World Cup appearance in the 1970 final. The brilliant Brazil side is perhaps the greatest to grace a finals, as they scored 19 goals in six matches, including that fourth and final unforgettable team goal at the Estadio Azteca.
West Germany '74(03 of12)
The greatest team never to win the World Cup? Johan Cruyff, Jan Jongbloed, Arie Haan, Piet Keizer, Wim Rijsbergen, Johnny Rep, Wim Suurbier, Wim Jansen, Willem van Hanegem, Ruud Krol and Johan Neeskens line up for Holland in West Germany. Cruyff's shirt featured two stripes - rather than the adidas three - because Puma supplied his boots. (credit:Getty)
Argentina '78(04 of12)
Argentina's World Cup final win came amid a flurry of paper and ticker tape, as South American natives decorated Buenos Aires' Estadio Monumental with blue and white. It was the tournament of the Adidas Tango. (credit:Getty)
Spain '82(05 of12)
Marco Tardelli celebrates doubling Italy's lead in the 1982 final against West Germany. Italy's first World Cup win in 44 years, the picture of the Juventus man does not do his elated celebration justice, unlike television images. (credit:PA)
Mexico '86(06 of12)
"If the first was illegal, the second is one of the best we've seen in this championship," said an understated Barry Davies after Diego Maradona's ingenious solo goal against England. It is testament to Maradona's majesty that the Hand of God - a shameless act of cheating - did not sully his humiliation of the England side. This image illustrates Peter Shilton's own culpability. How could he let a 5ft 5in opponent outjump him? (credit:Getty)
Italia '90(07 of12)
Paul Gascoigne welled up when he received the yellow card which would have prevented him from featuring in the Italia '90 final, but sobbed uncontrollably after England were eliminated by West Germany on penalties. England's great heroic failure, Italia '90 remains their most successful World Cup tournament since 1966. (credit:Getty)
USA '94(08 of12)
Brazilian players jump for joy after their shootout victory in the Pasadena final, as a crestfallen Roberto Baggio stares at the pitch following his missed penalty. Franco Baresi and Daniele Massaro also failed to convert spotkicks for the Italians, but Baggio had illuminated the tournament with five goals. He wasn't the last striker to choke in a final... (credit:Getty)
France '98(09 of12)
Ronaldo, forlorn, comes to terms with Brazil's 3-0 final defeat against France. Regarded as the greatest player in the world, the Internazionale striker suffered a convulsive fit the night before the game and was initially removed from the starting line-up 72 minutes before the match, but requested to play and was reinstated by coach Mario Zagallo. He was a shadow of the tormentor who had plundered four goals already that tournament. (credit:PA)
Japan and South Korea 2002(10 of12)
Although Ronaldo's redemption in Yokahama was the highlight of the tournament, the enduring image from 2002 is that of Argentina's cowardly wall. Favourites for the finals, the irony of this image is that it was captured during the only win of their disastrous group stage. Victory over Nigeria was followed by defeat to England and elimination at the hands of Sweden. Ariel Ortega (left), Javier Zanetti (second left), Gabriel Batistuta (centre) and Diego Simeone (right) never played at another World Cup. (credit:Reuters)
Germany 2006(11 of12)
Zinedine Zidane, the greatest player of his generation, was so prone to volatility he was sent off more times than Roy Keane in his career. On his last professional appearance, he was dismissed for headbutting Italy centre-back Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final. Referee Horacio Elizondo had already dismissed Wayne Rooney in the tournament for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho's testicles, and flourished the red card again. Zidane had already announced he would retire after the tournament, and a Japanese photographer captured solemn juxtaposition as he headed for the tunnel. (credit:Getty)
South Africa 2010(12 of12)
The worst World Cup in living memory, although Spain were the best side at the tournament they were one of the most stultifying. Holland were criticised for their anti-Total Football in the final, but their fouling stimulated a turgid tournament marred by African sycophancy, uninitiated crowds and vuvuzelas. Nigel de Jong's scandalous thud into Xabi Alonso's chest was the most infamous moment of a forgettable final. (credit:Getty)