Eight nations have won the FIFA World Cup since the tournament’s inception back in 1930. Ahead of the 2022 World Cup, we look at all the past winners and highlight some interesting facts and stats.
What a way for Carlos Alberto to cap off the 1970 final 🇧🇷😍5 days to go until the #FIFAWorldCup!— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 15, 2022
What a way for Carlos Alberto to cap off the 1970 final 🇧🇷😍5 days to go until the #FIFAWorldCup!
Brazil hold the record for the most World Cup triumphs, having lifted the trophy on five occasions. Interestingly, Brazil are the only nation to have featured at all 21 editions of the tournament.
The Brazilians are also one of only two teams to have claimed back-to-back triumphs, securing the silverware in 1958 and 1962. They head to Qatar as the most successful side in World Cup history.
Between 1954 and 1990, Germany won three World Cup titles as “West Germany”. In 2014, Germany won their first title as a unified country – taking their total number of World Cup triumphs to four.
The Germans have also finished as runners-up four times, meaning they have reached more World Cup finals than any other side (8). They have also recorded the most third-place finishes (4).
Italy won two of the first three World Cups, triumphing on home soil in 1934 before lifting the trophy in France four years later. That means Italy have won back-to-back titles, as well as Brazil.
The Azzurri’s third and fourth titles came in 1982 and 2006, respectively. It is also worth noting that Italy hold the record for the longest gap between titles (44 years).
Argentina are one of three nations to have claimed two World Cup titles. The South Americans secured the silverware on home soil in 1978 before regaining the title eight years later in Mexico.
Having won their home World Cup back in 1998, France prevailed once again in 2018. Les Blues head to Qatar as reigning champions and will be confident of defending their crown.
Uruguay won the inaugural World Cup all the way back in 1930. Two decades later, they conquered for a second time. On top of that, Uruguay hold the record for the most fourth-place finishes (3).
In 1966, England became the third nation to lift the World Cup trophy on home soil. Believe it or not, the Three Lions hold the record for the most quarter-final eliminations (8).
Spain claimed their first and only World Cup crown in 2010, defeating the Netherlands in the final. Funnily enough, four years later, the defending champions were eliminated in the group stage.