World Cup Winners: A look back at the champions of the past decades

The World Cup has long been the single most recognised sporting event in the world. With the world’s overwhelming obsession with the beautiful game, winning the World Cup can be considered the pinnacle of sporting greatness.

The World Cup final in 2006 was the third most watched TV broadcast in history, drawing in over 700 million viewers to the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, transporting people from all over the world to the enthralling atmosphere and apex of footballing prowess.

Since the first final in 1930, contested between Argentina and Uruguay and attended by over 93,000 people, the FIFA World Cup has produced legends, defined careers and united entire nations. With a record one million plus people expected to travel to Qatar this year, it is set to be the most captivating yet.

Learn more about the World Cup, its format and what to expect from the greatest sporting event in the world come November 20th with our World Cup Guide.

Who has won the most World Cups?

Considering the World Cup has been played every four years since 1930, with only the outbreak of World War II causing exceptions, it may come as a surprise to hear that there have only been eight victors, and even more so to hear there have only been six nations to lift the trophy since England won in 1966.

With the 21 trophies split between eight nations, there was always going to be some accumulating more than others. While it has always been debated who is the greatest footballing nation, many argue that the quality of domestic leagues highlights a nation’s prowess. However, one country stands above the rest with the record for the most World Cups. The only nation that can rightly lay claim to the status of the greatest.

Brazil has won the FIFA World Cup on five occasions, and while Italy and Germany are close behind on four each, that fifth title may prove to be the hardest to obtain. Winning the trophy in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002, Brazil consistently produces the world’s best teams and go into this World Cup as the favourites once again.

Which teams have won the World Cup?

As mentioned, the World Cup has only been won by eight nations in its almost 100-year history. Winning the World Cup is the ultimate bragging right, with all winning countries opting to place a star above their badge for every World Cup trophy they have lifted.

Here is a list of all World Cup winners:

World Cup 2022 Winner Predictions

Brazil go into the tournament as favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar at 4/1, and looking at their squad, it’s easy to see why. France are second in line at 6/1, and Argentina join England as the third favourites at 7/1.

Want to place a bet? View the complete list of World Cup betting odds.