[2] The European Mega Drive release, World Cup Italia '90, was published jointly with Olivetti and Virgin Mastertronic and was an officially licensed franchise game of the 1990 FIFA World Cup featuring the official logo and mascot.

In 1990 the game was ported by Elite Systems for DOS, Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum.

[3] The game presents a top-down view of a simple version of soccer (there are no fouls, substitutions, or strategies).

The One reviewed the home computer versions (Amiga, Atari ST, DOS) of World Championship Soccer in 1991, criticising the "rudimentary" ways the player may pass and shoot the ball, stating that "There are no fancy overhead kicks, headers, volleys or half-volleys here, nor anything that gives you effective control over the strength of your kick."

The One furthermore calls World Championship Soccer a "mediocre alternative" to Kick Off 2, but expresses that while "there is nothing wrong with WCS's structure - it is more accurate than Kick Off 2's 'three points for a win' World Cup, and the quality of the teams is varied enough to keep you hooked ... the action lacks substance."