Masters of the Beautiful Game

Soccer

So far, The World Cup Soccer tournament has been played 17 times, but seven nations have ever won the World Cup Finals. Brazil is the current holder, as well as the most successful World Cup team, having won the tournament five times, while Germany and Italy follow with three titles each.

Uruguay and Argentina have won twice each and France and England have won once.

One team stands head and shoulder above the rest - Brazil, with their 5 titles and 2 runners-up spots. Funnily enough, despite having won so many times, Brazil are the only winners who have never won it at home, which makes their achivements even more remarkable. In the 1950 World Cup, hosted by Brazil, they went into their final match against Uruguay needing only a draw to win the cup (the tournament had a league format at the time). Despite leading the game with 20 minutes left, they let in 2 soft goals and lost the game and the cup to Uruguay. It was this traumatic loss which led to a massive shake up in Brazilian soccer which has led to them becoming a dominant force in the world game. As holders, they also go into World Cup 2006 once again as favourites..

Brazil are also the only team to have appeared in all 17 tournaments. Their 1970 winning team is regarded as the finest national team ever seen and their 1982 team is known as "The greatest team never to win the World Cup."

Track the fortunes of Brazil and all the other 31 teams using the fantastic Soccer World Cup 2006 Online Wallchart.

Soccer