World Cup

The World Cup pinball machine, designed by Edward Tomaszewski and manufactured by Williams Electronics in March 1978, holds a notable place in pinball history: it was the first Williams solid-state game to feature genuine electronic sound effects, replacing the mechanical chimes used in earlier machines (though some early production units still shipped with chimes).

The game features two flippers, two pop bumpers, eight rollover buttons, two kick-out holes, two ball kickers, two standup targets, and a spinning target, all wrapped in a soccer theme. The manufacturer's promotional flyer featured American soccer star Kyle Rote Jr., while a French-language version featured Michel Platini, reflecting the game's international marketing reach.

With roughly 6,250 units built on the factory floor between March and August 1978, World Cup represents a transitional moment for Williams as the company moved from electromechanical chime sound to electronic audio, a shift that would become standard across the industry in the years that followed.