Brazil leading FIFA World Cup with most titles, victories

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Football fans can’t think of a FIFA World Cup without Brazil, as the South American football powerhouse is leading the competition with the most titles and match wins.

World Cup frequenter Brazil are the only team to compete in all 21 World Cup editions.

The record holders won five world titles, the last in South Korea and Japan 2002. The Brazilian national team beat Germany 2-0 in Yokohama, Japan in the 2002 final.

The 2014 champions, Germany, are willing to level with Brazil as Die Mannschaft secured the World Cup four times.

In Qatar 2022, a Neymar-led Brazil will be on the pitch to extend their record.

In 21 World Cup tournaments, Brazil had 73 victories in 109 matches to lead in overall wins. They have 237 points in total.

Germany bagged 67 wins in 109 World Cup games to tally 221 points.

Italy are third on the list with 45 wins in 83 matches. They have 156 points in total.

The Italians, who last bagged the World Cup in 2006, did not qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments.

Argentina, who were the 1978 and 1986 champions, have 144 points with 43 wins in 81 matches.

Defending world champions France are fifth on the list with 115 points.

Les Bleus played 66 matches to take 34 wins.

France won the World Cup twice in 1998 (hosts) and 2018.

- 79 nations played in World Cup

As of the 2018 World Cup held in Russia, 79 national teams played at the final tournaments.

Following Qatar's debut this winter, this number will be increased to 80.

Eight countries including Brazil, Germany and Italy have won the World Cup.

Uruguay were the inaugural winners in 1930, and France are the current champions, beating Croatia 4-2 in the Russia 2018 final in Moscow.

England won it in 1966, and Spain secured the world title in South Africa 2010. These were both nations' only World Cup triumphs.

Five nations reached the final but have never won the World Cup.

They were the Netherlands (1974, 1978 and 2010), Czechoslovakia (1934 and 1962), Hungary (1938 and 1954), Sweden (1958) and Croatia (2018).

- World Cup champions as hosts

In 21 final tournaments, there were six times that the hosts won the World Cup.

The 1930 hosts, Uruguay, were the champions. Italy were the 1934 hosts and winners.

England won the 1966 World Cup for the first time after a 4-2 win against West Germany in London.

In 1974, West Germany won the World Cup title as the tournament's hosts.

A Gerd Muller-led West Germany defeated the Netherlands 2-1 in Munich.

The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina, which was their first.

Argentina beat the Netherlands 3-1 to be the world champions in Buenos Aires. Argentine star Mario Kempes scored six goals in that tournament to carry his nation to World Cup success.

The 1998 World Cup was staged in France as Les Bleus, who were led by Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane in the offense, were crowned the world champions at home.

France stunned 1994 world champions Brazil 3-0 in Saint-Denis to win their first world title.

In 1998, Brazil was a team composed of many special players such as goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel, left-back Roberto Carlos, right-back Cafu, midfielder Leonardo and forwards Rivaldo and Ronaldo but returned home with a silver medal after losing to France.

Qatar 2022, the first World Cup ever to be held during the Northern Hemisphere winter, will start on Nov. 20.

During the 29-day event, 32 teams will compete in a total of 64 matches for the 2022 World Cup trophy.