A control apparatus for a four-cycle internal combustion engine that includes a plurality of cylinders into which fuel is directly injected, includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: (i) execute stop control that stops rotation of a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine by stopping fuel injection and ignition in the internal combustion engine when a predetermined stop condition is fulfilled; and (ii) carry out fuel injection and ignition in a second cylinder of the plurality of the cylinders when the stop control is executed, the second cylinder being in an exhaust stroke when the internal combustion engine is stopped, when a piston of a first cylinder of the plurality of the cylinders is estimated to stop at a top dead center.