The 15o World Cup stamp from Sweden was issued on May 8, 1958.
The 40c World Soccer Championships stamp was issued by Switzerland on March 15, 1954.
This 1962 World Cup stamp from Chile features the Chilean national stadium, the venue for the championship match.
One of the great honors of the World Cup is to host the tournament. An added benefit for the host nation is an automatic spot in the competition. Currently, host nations are chosen by FIFA through a bid process. The Cup was hosted for the first time in Asia in 2002 by co-hosts Japan and South Korea.
Since the 1934 World Cup, host nations have issued postage stamps to promote the Cup and their countries. The earliest stamps depicted soccer players, the soccer ball, or maps to indicate the international flavor of the tournament. Later designs included national landmarks, stadiums, World Cup mascots, and official logos. Non-host countries throughout the world have also issued stamps celebrating the World Cup, and even the championship team. Several championship teams have been honored on stamps by their own country in the months following their victory.
Mexico’s 1970 host nation stamps celebrated their rich culture and history. This first day cover includes a special cachet featuring the Jules Rimet trophy and is signed by the stamp designer, Lance Wyman.
The 40pf German stamp was issued on May 15, 1974. Germany won their second championship defeating the Netherlands 2-1.
The 70p stamp was issued on May 14, 1977, to celebrate the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.
Spain’s 19p World Cup soccer stamp was issued on May 23, 1980, in anticipation of the 1982 Cup.
Mexico hosted the 1986 World Cup after Colombia bowed out. As a result, Mexico became the first nation to host the tournament two times.
Italy’s first stamp for the 1990 World Cup featured the competition mascot, Ciao.
