World Cup: the winning teams compared

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We compare the winners of the World Cup trophy
We rank the winners of the World Cup trophy, in terms of number of World Cups won

With World Cup 2014 in Brazil fast approaching, we take a look back at the eight teams who have lifted the trophy so far in the tournament’s history. Although they may not necessarily be the strongest teams in terms of today’s Fifa rankings, they are the teams that have achieved the one thing every country’s football fans dream of: winning the World Cup. Our ranking is based on the number of times they have won the World Cup and also takes into account the number of goals scored in World Cup tournaments between 1930 and 2010.





Five wins: Brazil
Brazil top the table as the most successful team in World Cup history having been crowned champions five times - in Sweden in 1958, Chile in 1962, Mexico in 1970, USA in 1994 and most recently in 2002 in Korea/Japan. Brazil have won the cup on four continents: Europe, South America, North America and Asia and are the only country to have done so. As well as having won five times, Brazil have been runners-up twice: in Brazil 1950 and France 1998, being beaten by Uruguay and France respectively.

Brazil are also the only country to have competed in every World Cup finals and, between 1930 and 2010, they have scored 210 goals across the 19 tournaments.


Four wins: Italy
The Azzurri have become champions of the world four times - on home territory in 1934, 1938 in France, Spain in 1982 and Germany in 2006. Italy also finished in second position in Mexico 1970 and USA 1994, after being defeated both times by Brazil. Italy are the most successful country in Europe.

Between 1930 and 2010, they have appeared in 17 World Cup tournaments and scored 126 goals.

Three wins: Germany
Between the years of 1950 and 1990, the team known as West Germany won the World Cup three times: in Switzerland 1954, Germany in 1974 and Italy in 1990. Germany have finished as runners-up the most times, as they have narrowly missed out on the top spot four times: in 1966 in England, 1982 in Spain, 1986 in Mexico and most recently in 2002 in Korea/Japan.

Between 1930 and 2010, Germany have appeared in 17 tournaments and have scored 206 goals - not far behind Brazil.

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Two wins: Argentina
In 1978, Argentina became the fifth host nation to win the tournament.. They then tasted victory again in 1986 in a World Cup that always evokes memories of one particular Argentinian - Diego Maradona. The South American side have finished as runners-up twice: once in the first ever World Cup in Uruguay in 1930 and again in Italy 1990, having been beaten by West Germany.

Over 15 tournaments between 1930 and 2010, Argentina have scored 123 times.



Two wins: Uruguay
Uruguay hosted and won the first ever World Cup tournament in 1930 and won the trophy again in 1950 in neighbouring Brazil. Since then, Uruguay have finished fourth three times.

They've played in 13 tournaments between 1930 and 2010 and have the lowest goal tally of winning countries at 76.



One win: France
France's only World Cup victory came at home in 1998 when they beat Brazil 3-0 in the final. They reached the final in Germany in 2006 but missed out on regaining the title as they suffered defeat at the hands of the Italians. France have appeared in 13 tournaments between 1930 and 2010 and scored 96 goals.



One win: Spain
Having won the World Cup in South Africa 2010, Spain are the current holders of the trophy, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final match in extra time. This win was Spain's best finishing position since 1950, when they came fourth in Brazil.

Between 1930 and 2010, they also have appeared in 13 World Cup tournaments, scoring 88 goals.



One win: England
England won the 1966 World Cup as hosts nation, beating West Germany 4-2 in the final. Unlike France, England haven't been runners-up in any competition before or since their victory. The highest finishing position England have achieved since was fourth place in Italy in 1990. England's goal total is also the lowest of the one-time winners at just 77 goals over 13 tournament appearances between 1930 and 2010.

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