The FIFA world cup has undoubtedly become the greatest global showpiece in sports, bringing together nations across the globe to celebrate culture and passion through football. In 1930, the first FIFA world cup was hosted in Uruguay, with only 13 teams making the inaugural tournament. The host nation, Uruguay, became the first country to win the coveted trophy and also the first to host and win, when they defeated Argentina by four goals to 2 in Montviedo.
Since then, the tournament has undergone major changes, including the number of teams that participated, with this year’s tournament set to be the tournament with the highest number of teams. The participating countries have been expanded from 32 in the previous edition to 48 this year.
Since its inception in 1930, only 8 countries have managed to win the prestigious world cup trophy, with Brazil having the highest success with 5. France, Argentina, Germany, Uruguay, England, Italy and Spain have all won the coveted trophy. Brazil will be looking to add a sixth this summer while Argentina will be hoping to retain the trophy they won in 2022 in Qatar.
See the full list of winners
1. Brazil ( 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
2. Italy ( 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006)
3. Germany ( 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
4. Argentina ( 1978, 1986, 2022)
5. France ( 1998, 2018)
6. Uruguay ( 1930, 1950)
7. England ( 1966)
8. Spain (2010)
Fun Fact
South Africa is the only African country to have hosted the FIFA World Cup. In 2010, South Africa made history, becoming the first and only African country to host the prestigious FIFA World Cup. Spain won that tournament, courtesy a lone goal from Iniesta against the Netherlands.
Will a new country be able to clinch the title this time around or the Usual winners will once again prove their dominance. Spain and Argentina have been heavily tipped to win the tournament this summer.