Quick Answer
Argentina won the most recent World Cup in 2022, defeating France in a thrilling final. Brazil holds the record with 5 World Cup championships.
- 8 different countries have won the World Cup since 1930
- Brazil leads with 5 titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
- 2026 World Cup will be held across North America
FIFA World Cup Champions Through History
From Uruguay's inaugural victory in 1930 to Argentina's triumph in 2022, explore every World Cup champion.
Winners List
Here is the full list of winners of the previous men's FIFA World Cups. Argentina won the most recent World Cup in 2022, defeating France in a thrilling final. Brazil has won the most titles with 5 championships, and Italy and Brazil are the only countries to win back-to-back titles. Will it be Argentina's turn in 2026?
Click on the highlighted text for more information about each host city and participating country. Are you looking for more details about the 2026 World Cup? Or the winners of the Women's World Cup?
Hosts | Winner | Score |
---|---|---|
2026 Nth America | ||
2022 Qatar | Argentina | 3-3, then Argentina defeated France 4-2 in penalties |
2018 Russia | France | France 4-2 Croatia |
2014 Brazil | Germany | Germany 1-0 Argentina |
2010 South Africa | Spain | Spain 1-0 Netherlands |
2006 Germany | Italy | 1-1, then Italy beat France 5-3 in penalties |
2002 Korea & Japan | Brazil | Brazil 2-0 Germany |
1998 France | France | France 3-0 Brazil |
1994 USA | Brazil | 0-0, then Brazil defeated Italy 3-2 in penalties |
1990 Italy | Germany | Germany 1-0 Argentina |
1986 Mexico | Argentina | Argentina 3-2 Germany |
1982 Spain | Italy | Italy 3-1 Germany |
1978 Argentina | Argentina | Argentina 3-1 Netherlands |
1974 Germany | Germany | Germany 2-1 Netherlands |
1970 Mexico | Brazil | Brazil 4-1 Italy |
1966 England | England | England 4-2 Germany |
1962 Chile | Brazil | Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia |
1958 Sweden | Brazil | Brazil 5-2 Sweden |
1954 Switzerland | Germany | Germany 3-2 Hungary |
1950 Brazil | Uruguay | Uruguay 2-1 Brazil |
1946 | not held | |
1942 | not held | |
1938 France | Italy | Italy 4-2 Hungary |
1934 Italy | Italy | Italy 2-1 Czechoslovakia |
1930 Uruguay | Uruguay | Uruguay 4-2 Argentina |
"The World Cup represents the pinnacle of international football achievement. What makes it remarkable is how the tournament has evolved from 13 teams in 1930 to 32 teams today, with expansion to 48 teams planned for 2026, reflecting football's growth as the world's most popular sport."— Robert J. Wood, PhD, Founder of Topend Sports
Countries with Most FIFA World Cup Wins
Most Championships
🥇 BRAZIL
5 World Cups
1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Most successful nation in World Cup history
🥈 GERMANY
4 World Cups
1954, 1974, 1990, 2014
8 final appearances total
🥉 ITALY
4 World Cups
1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
Back-to-back champions 1934-1938
- Brazil - 5 World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
- Germany - 4 World Cups (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
- Italy - 4 World Cups (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006)
- Argentina - 3 World Cups (1978, 1986, 2022)
- France - 2 World Cups (1998, 2018)
- Uruguay - 2 World Cups (1930, 1950)
Single World Cup Winners
- England - 1 World Cup (1966)
- Spain - 1 World Cup (2010)
Championships At A Glance
Total Tournaments: 22 editions | Different Winners: 8 nations | Most Successful: Brazil (5 titles)
Notable Achievement: Only Brazil and Italy have won consecutive World Cups | Next Edition: 2026 in North America
Recent FIFA World Cup Champions (2006-2022)
Notable: France reached back-to-back finals (2018 winners, 2022 runners-up). Argentina ended a 36-year drought, while Spain and Italy secured their most recent championships during this period.
Countries That Have Never Won the World Cup
Multiple Final Appearances
Netherlands
3 finals without winning (1974, 1978, 2010). Known for "Total Football" but unable to capture the ultimate prize.
Learn More →Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic
2 finals (1934, 1962). Strong football tradition but fell short in both championship matches.
Learn More →Hungary
2 finals (1938, 1954). The "Mighty Magyars" of the 1950s remain one of the best teams never to win.
Learn More →Pro Tip: The Netherlands has been the most successful nation never to win the World Cup, reaching three finals and consistently producing world-class players throughout history.
Comments
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2026 World Cup Coming Soon
The next FIFA World Cup will be held across United States, Canada, and Mexico with an expanded 48-team format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has won the most World Cups?
Brazil has won the most FIFA World Cups with 5 titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002). Germany and Italy are tied for second with 4 championships each.
Who won the 2022 World Cup?
Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, defeating France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. It was Argentina's third World Cup title and Lionel Messi's first.
Which countries have never won the World Cup despite reaching the final?
The Netherlands has reached three finals (1974, 1978, 2010) without winning. Hungary and Czechoslovakia each reached two finals, while Croatia and Sweden have each reached one final without winning the championship.
How many different countries have won the World Cup?
Eight different countries have won the World Cup: Brazil (5), Germany (4), Italy (4), Argentina (3), France (2), Uruguay (2), England (1), and Spain (1).
When and where is the next World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held across three countries: United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams instead of the traditional 32.
Which teams have won consecutive World Cups?
Only two teams have won consecutive World Cups: Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962). No team has won three consecutive tournaments.
What was the most common score in World Cup history?
1-0 is the most common score in FIFA World Cup history. Many finals have been decided by a single goal, including recent finals in 2010 and 2014.
References
- FIFA. (2023). "FIFA World Cup History." FIFA Official Website. Zurich: Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
- Wood, R.J. (2025). "World Cup Statistics and Records." Topend Sports Database. Retrieved from internal archives.
- UEFA. (2023). "European Champions at the World Cup." UEFA Technical Reports. Nyon: Union of European Football Associations.
- CONMEBOL. (2023). "South American World Cup Success." CONMEBOL Historical Archives. Luque: South American Football Confederation.
- The Guardian. (2022). "Qatar 2022: Argentina's World Cup Victory." The Guardian Sport. December 18, 2022.
- ESPN. (2023). "Complete World Cup Winners History 1930-2022." ESPN FC Database. Bristol: ESPN Publications.
- Sky Sports. (2024). "World Cup Records and Statistics." Sky Sports Football. London: Sky Sports Publications.
Related Pages
- Results from Russia 2018, Brazil 2014, Germany 2006, and results from South Africa 2010
- Predictions of World Cup Winners
- World Cup Trivia and Facts
- Timeline of Significant Events in Ballon d'Or History
- UEFA Champions League Winners List
