1974 FIFA World Cup
Hosted by West Germany. Cruyff's Total Football mesmerised but West Germany lifted the new FIFA World Cup Trophy.
The 1974 FIFA World Cup at a glance
The 1974 FIFA World Cup was hosted by West Germany and contested by 16 teams over 38 matches, producing 97 goals (2.55 per match). Cruyff's Total Football mesmerised but West Germany lifted the new FIFA World Cup Trophy. The final, West Germany 2-1 Netherlands, was played at Olympiastadion, Munich.
Grzegorz Lato of Poland won the Golden Boot with 7 goals. Scoring rate of 2.55 goals per match was 0.42 lower than the previous edition's 2.97. Final standings: 1st West Germany, 2nd Netherlands, 3rd Poland, 4th Brazil.
Final
Tournament
1974 FIFA World Cup records
| Champion | West Germany |
| Runner-up | Netherlands |
| Third place | Poland |
| Fourth place | Brazil |
| Final score | West Germany 2-1 Netherlands |
| Final venue | Olympiastadion, Munich |
| Host country | West Germany |
| Teams | 16 |
| Matches | 38 |
| Goals | 97 |
| Goals per match | 2.55 |
| Top scorer | Grzegorz Lato (7 goals) |
| Top scorer nationality | Poland |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1974 FIFA World Cup?
West Germany won the 1974 FIFA World Cup, beating Netherlands Germany 2-1 Netherlands in the final at Olympiastadion, Munich.
Where was the 1974 World Cup held?
The 1974 FIFA World Cup was hosted by West Germany. The final was played at Olympiastadion, Munich.
Who was the top scorer at the 1974 World Cup?
Grzegorz Lato of Poland was the top scorer at the 1974 FIFA World Cup with 7 goals.
How many teams and matches were at the 1974 World Cup?
16 teams played at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany, totalling 38 matches and 97 goals — an average of 2.55 goals per match across roughly 21 days.
Who finished 3rd and 4th at the 1974 World Cup?
Poland finished third and Brazil finished fourth at the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
How did the 1974 World Cup differ from the previous edition?
The previous FIFA World Cup, in 1970, was won by Brazil (95 goals across 32 matches; 2.97 goals per match). The 1974 edition produced 97 goals across 38 matches (2.55 per match) and was won by West Germany.
What is the significance of the 1974 World Cup?
Cruyff's Total Football mesmerised but West Germany lifted the new FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Can I get 1974 World Cup historical data via API?
Yes. TheStatsAPI provides historical FIFA World Cup data going back to 1930, including match results, lineups, top scorers, final standings, and team appearance records. Query historical endpoints with year=1974 to retrieve the full dataset.
Get historical World Cup data via API
Match results, top scorers, finals, and team records from 1930 to today. 7-day free trial.