The FIFA World Cup is a tournament unlike any other.
A sporting spectacle which brings every corner of the globe to a standstill, it really is a unique event.
And victory on the World Cup stage is celebrated quite spectacularly, with a select few countries getting to enjoy that moment on more than occasion.
NetBet Sport runs through the most successful nations in World Cup history below.
Brazil (5 titles)
Brazil are the most successful nation in World Cup history, having first won the tournament in 1958 after beating Sweden 5-2 in the final.
The Selecao followed up that success with a 1962 triumph, secured by a 3-1 win over Czechoslovakia in the final.
A Pele-inspired team won the World Cup in 1970, a team widely regarded as one of the greatest international football has seen. Carlos Alberto’s goal from the 4-1 victory over Italy in the final is arguably the most iconic moment in the tournament’s history.
Brazil then had to wait until 1994 for their fourth trophy, Roberto Baggio’s penalty shootout miss for Italy sparking scenes of jubilation in the South American camp.
And Ronaldo Nazario’s comeback inspired the most recent victory in 2002, the striker scoring eight goals at the tournament – including two in the 2-0 final win vs Germany.
Germany/West Germany (4 titles)
Three World Cup triumphs are attributed to West Germany, the first of them in 1954. Die Mannschaft came from 2-0 down to beat pre-tournament favourites Hungary 3-2 in the final.
Twenty years later, West Germany came from 1-0 down to defeat Netherlands 2-1 in the 1974 finale, Gerd Muller netting the winner.
And then came 1990, a World Cup success earned by virtue of a penalty shootout victory over old rivals England in the semi-finals, and then a 1-0 win vs Argentina in the final.
The year of 2014 was the nation’s first triumph after reunification, with Germany again beating Argentina 1-0 in the final courtesy of Mario Gotze’s extra-time strike. But it is the 7-1 victory over hosts Brazil in the semi-finals which the squad of 2014 is best remembered for.
Italy (4 titles)
Italy were the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups, the Azzurri achieving the feat in 1934 and 1938, first by beating Czechoslovakia (2-1 AET) and then Hungary (4-2).
The Italian public had to wait until 1982 to savour a third victory, a campaign which was defined by the goal-getting brilliance of Paolo Rossi. He scored a hat-trick in the famous 3-2 victory over a heralded Brazil side, before netting twice in the semi-finals against Poland (2-0) and once in the final vs West Germany (3-1).
Italy’s fourth triumph was achieved in 2006, and the final is perhaps best remembered for Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt on Marco Materazzi. The Azzurri eventually won penalties, and Fabio Grosso converted the winning spot kick.
Argentina (3 titles)
Argentina are the reigning world champions, thanks in part to a magical 2022 campaign from Lionel Messi, who scored twice in the final vs France – which the South Americans eventually won on penalties.
Messi’s magic in Qatar emulated Diego Maradona’s virtuoso displays in 1986, a campaign which culminated with Argentina beating West Germany 3-2 in a fabulous finale.
The South American nation’s maiden World Cup victory was recorded in 1978 on home soil, a tournament marred by claims of match-fixing and unquestionable political controversy. But regardless, Argentina beat Netherlands 3-1 in the final after extra-time.
Who else has won the World Cup?
France (1998 and 2018) and Uruguay (1930 and 1950) have each won the World Cup twice, while England (1966) and Spain (2010) boast one victory apiece.
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