1966 World Cup Flashback: Five names to have at your fingertips

by Mike WoitallaDecember 16, 2025December 23, 2025

Franz Beckenbauer of West Germany moves away from Bobby Charlton of England during the FIFA World Cup Final between England and West Germany at Wembley Stadium in London, 30th July 1966. England won 4-2 after overtime. (Photo by Rolls Press/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Here are five names to have at your fingertips about the eighth World Cup, hosted and won by England.

World Cup Willy. The nation that wrote the rules to the game 103 years earlier finally hosted the World Cup. And created the first World Cup mascot — the soccer-playing lion World Cup Willy, the first in a long line of marketable World Cup icons.

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Mike Woitalla

Soccer America Executive Editor Mike Woitalla has written freelance articles about soccer for more than 30 media outlets in nine nations. The winner of eight United Soccer Coaches Writing Contest awards,... More by Mike Woitalla