1974 FIFA World Cup – West Germany

In 1966 FIFA announced the hosts for 1974, 1978 and 1982 at the same time. West Germany was chosen for the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

For the 1974 tournament, 98 countries disputed 14 places (as 2 were reserved for the hosts and the defending champions). 8 to UEFA, 2 to CONMBEOL, 1 to AFC/OFC, 1 to CONCACAF and 1 to CAF. The last place was contested by the 9th from UEFA vs. the 3rd from CONMEBOL.

FIFA introduced the penalty shoot-out for the first time to determine the winner of tied games, after extra time, in the knockout stages. The red card, introduced in 1970, was used for the first time and Carlos Caszely, from Chile, became the first player to be sent off with a red card in a world cup.

The Netherlands demonstrated the Total Football, a technique in which all players would assume the position of a defender, mid-fielder or striker as the situation required. The only player with a fixed position was the goalkeeper. This new technique confused adversaries and took them straight to the finals.