After the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup is the biggest global sporting tournament around – and its official branding has attracted the world’s attention for decades.
As well as reflecting the essence of the tournament, the logo design also needs to convey elements of the host country – no mean feat for the branding agency that wins the account.
To mark the start of the Russia 2018 World Cup, we’ve taken a look back at eight of the best logos from World Cup tournaments since 1930.
By contrast, England’s 1966 logo, the first, and only time the country has triumphed at the tournament – leaves no doubt about the host country, featuring a bold, bright flag. Although Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish fans may query the choice of the Union Flag rather than the English one.
As well as the English team’s Three Lions crest, another very overt link with the host country, the logo also prominently features the Jules Rimet Cup itself – which was replaced by the current design in 1974.
England’s World Cup logo is packed with national pride, and prominently features the Jules Rimet trophy
Rather than a footballer conquering the globe, with a ball on top of it, the strikingly symmetrical design instead integrates the globe with the football.
Another first was the introduction of the first ever World Cup mascot – footballing lion, World Cup Willie – who kick-started a tradition that has now become integral part of tournament culture.
