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A Look at Past World Cup Champions

The World Cup is one of the most magical sporting events in the world of football. They are usually held in summertime, and create a month full of football madness, where there are many games packed into a short period of time.

Most fans have a favourite team going into the competition, this can be their national team or one of the top teams. However, many fans will enjoy watching as many of the games as possible, regardless of who is playing.

Many teams have players who play in clubs abroad from their home nation or who play regular football in opposing clubs, but one of the greatest honours for any player is to be part of the national team, especially if the team qualifies for the World Cup. Players will have the chance to perform one of the biggest stages of the game, and if they can inspire their team to greatness, they will forever be remembered in their country and by their supporters.

Countries That Have Won the World Cup

Brazil

In Brazil, the World Cup is worshipped by football fans and it is not just a football event but also a chance for a nation to rejoice with parades and carnivals. Brazil has won the competition a record 5 times, and has graced the World Cup with several golden generations of footballing stars. Starting with Pele, who shot to fame when he won the competition in 1958 at the tender age of 17. Brazil won the competition again in 1962 and 1970, with Pele. After a 24 year trophy drought, Brazil won their fourth World Cup in 1994, with another golden generation of players that included the likes of Romario, Cafu, Leonardo and Dunga, amongst others. In 2002 Brazil won the competition again, with a new generation of players as well as some older ones, such as Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and more.

Germany

Germany have won the World Cup 4 times, with their first win in 1954. They played in the finals against a golden Hungarian team that featured some of the top players in the world. The Germans won the final 3-2 in a game that did not lack in drama and controversy. The Germans won their second World Cup in 1974, when they beat the Netherlands 1-2 in the finals. This team featured some of the finest German football players in the game, such as Sepp Maier, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, Jupp Heynckes and many more. Germany would have to wait until 1990 to claim their third World Cup. They managed to beat Diego Maradona's Argentina in the finals in a close match that was won 1-0 after a 85th minute penalty. The Germans won most recently in 2014, when they beat Argentina again in the finals, beating another Argentinian legend, Lionel Messi.

Italy

Italy spared no time in becoming World Cup Champions. They won the first two of their four titles in 1934 and 1938, beating Czechoslovakia and Hungary in the finals. They won again in 1982, in a final game that saw them dominate over the Germans, winning 3-1. Italy won the World Cup again in 2006, when they met France in the finals. The Italian team included some legends such as Gianluigi Buffon, Francesco Totti, Alessandro Del Piero, captain Fabio Cannavaro and more.

France

France has won the World Cup twice, once in 1998 and most recently in 2018. The 1998 finals were played between a golden generation of footballers from the French and Brazilian national teams. The French team consisted of players such as Zinedine Zidane, Marcel Desailly, Lillian Thuram, Emmanuel Petit, Patrick Vieira, captain Didier Deschamps and many more. In 2018, France played against Croatia, and won the match 4-2. They are now managed by Didier Deschamps, who captained the World Cup champions 20 years before.

Uruguay

Uruguay won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950. The 1930 competition was the inaugural tournament and was held in Uruguay, but because of limited travelling possibilities only 13 countries entered the competition. In 1950 Uruguay won their second World Cup when they beat Brazil in the finals 2-1.

Argentina

Argentina's World Cup victories came in 1978 and 1986. In 1978, they beat the Netherlands in the finals, with the help of their top goalscorer Mario Kempes, who was named player of the tournament after the event concluded. In 1986, Argentina won the competition after playing in a tense final against Germany that ended 3-2. Captain Diego Maradona was already at the centre of controversy after beating the English in the quarterfinals with his famous "Hand of God", but he managed to perform well on the day, helping his team take home their second World Cup.

Spain

Spain won the World Cup once, in 2010. They had won the European Championship two years before, and when they came to the World Cup they put in many brilliant performances, using the famous tiki-taka football style, and they went all the way to the finals where they beat the Netherlands 0-1.

England

England has won the competition once, in 1966. This was the year when they hosted the finals, and also it sparked some controversy as there was a goal that was given that may not have crossed the line. The English beat the Germans 4-2 in a back and forth final that saw both teams go ahead at differnet times. The English players included legends such as Gordon Banks, Nobby Stiles, the Charlton brothers (Bobby and Jack), Geoff Hurst and captain Bobby Moore.