FIFA WORLD CUP: The Eight Nations That Have Ever Won the World Cup
The World Cup competition was organized for the first time in 1930 in Uruguay, the locals emerging as winners by defeating Argentina.
Since its inception, the World Cup has been organized every four years (Qatar 22 being the 22nd article) and lost to only eight nations.
What are those nations?
- Brazil – five times
Brazil reached the finals in 1950 but were disappointed at home by Uruguay who emerged champions.
In 1958, however, the star of the game shone for the Samba Boys beating the hosts Sweden 5-2 in the final and winning the World Cup for the first time.
Brazil successfully defended the title four years later in the 1962 edition hosted in Chile by beating Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the final.
The Samba Boys were eliminated in the group stage in 1996 but returned four years later to win their third title by beating Italy 4-1 in the final in Mexico.
The South American giants had to wait until the 1994 edition organized in the United States before touching the trophy again by beating Italy 3-2 on penalties following a barren draw after 120 minutes.
The last time Brazil won the World Cup was in the 2002 edition held in Korea and Japan.
Ronaldo scored twice as the Samba Boys beat Germany 2-0 in the final.
FIFA WORLD CUP: The Eight Nations That Have Ever Won the World Cup
- Germany – four times
Germany – at that time called West Germany emerged champion for the first time in 1954 by coming from two goals behind and beating Hungary 3-2 in the final in Switzerland.
The Germans won the World Cup for the second time when they were hosts in 1974 by beating Holland led by Johan Cruyff 2-1 in the final.
In 1990, Germany won the World Cup for the third time by beating Argentina 1-0 in the Olympic final in Rome, Italy.
The incident happened again in 2014, when Mario Gotze scored the winning goal in 30 extra minutes and Germany defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final held in Brazil.
- Italy – four times
Italy won the World Cup for the first time in 1934 when it was the host by beating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the final that went to extra time.
Four years later in France, Italy became the first nation to defend the title by defeating Hungary 4-2 in the final.
The Azzurri had to wait for tradition in 1982 to win their third title by beating Germany 3-1 in the final held in Spain.
In the 2006 edition held in Germany, with both teams tied 1-1 after extra time, Italy beat France 5-3 on penalties to win the World Cup for the fourth time.
- Argentina – twice
Argentina reached the final of the World Cup for the first time in 1978 when it hosted the tournament.
The hosts defeated the Dutch 3-1 after extra time and won the cup for the first time.
The Albiceleste – as they are known by their nickname – won the World Cup for the second time in 1986 in Mexico after overcoming Germany with the help of star Diego Maradona.
- France – twice
France hosted the World Cup in 1998 to deny Brazil the chance to defend the title.
Les Bleus beat Samba Boys 3-0 in the final to win the trophy for the first time. The French had to wait 20 years before winning the cup for the second time – defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final held in Russia.
- Uruguay – twice
Uruguay hosted the first edition of the World Cup in 1934 and emerged champion by defeating Argentina 4-2 in the final.
The team happened to win the cup for the second time in 1950 when it came from behind and defeated the hosts Brazil 2-1 in the final.
- England – once
England have won the World Cup just once – the first time in 1966 when they hosted it.
The Three Lions defeated the Germans 4-2 after extra time in the final held at Wembley, London.
- Spain – once
After missing the World Cup for many years, Spain finally won the World Cup for the first time in 2010 in South Africa.
Andres Iniesta scored a unique goal in extra time as Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the final.
FIFA WORLD CUP: The Eight Nations That Have Ever Won the World Cup
