WThe start of the FIFA World Cup is getting closer and closer, and expectations are high as to who will be the new champion. Since it was first held in 1930, only eight countries have lifted this prestigious trophy.
UEFA crowns five teams and CONMEBOL has three champion nations, but all that could change this year as the format expands to 48 teams.
Which eight teams won the tournament?
Of the 22 competitions held, Brazil stands out as the most successful team, winning the Cup in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002, for a total of five titles. The 2002 Japan-Korea tournament was the last World Cup and was led by established stars such as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kahu.
The German and Italian national teams have won the same number of trophies, with four titles each. Germany won in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014, and Italy won in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006, but did not participate in the 2018 Russia Games or the 2022 Qatar Games.
Argentina’s national team, led by reigning world champion Lionel Messi, has been awarded three stars following their victory in the 2022 Qatar tournament. The 1978 and 1986 tournaments also featured sky blue and white colors to celebrate the title.
France, who came close to winning the cup in 2022, have won the tournament twice, having won in 1998 and 2018, as has Uruguay, who won the first edition in 1930 and 1950.
The England national team (1966) and the Spanish national team (2010) join the list, each receiving one star. In fact, Spain was the last team to become champions for the first time, and no new country was added to the list for over a decade.
Throughout its almost century-long history, the World Cup has been dominated by teams from Europe and South America, the only confederations to win the title, reflecting the historic soccer dominance of these regions. As the 2026 World Cup draws ever closer, new teams aim to make history and join this exclusive group of champions.
