The 2026 World Cup expands the chances of a new team being crowned champion with the new 48-team format. Throughout history, however, only a select group of participants has claimed the title. Eight different countries have at least one World Cup on their shelves, and six of them have won it more than once.
Uruguay, the first world champion, was also the first two-time champion, and Brazil stands as the all-time most successful nation with five titles.
Here is a rundown, edition by edition, of every men's World Cup and winner in history. We've done the same for every women's World Cup champion, too.
FIFA World Cup Uruguay 1930
- Champion: Uruguay
- Host: Uruguay
The first FIFA World Cup was one of a kind. Held entirely in Montevideo, the Uruguayan capital, the inaugural edition of the sport's premier competition left numerous curious details for the modern fan: four national teams arrived on the same boat, one stadium was still under construction, and a one-armed player scored in the final.
In any case, the tournament ended with the usual outpouring of joy. The country declared a national holiday after La Celeste became the first world champion, defeating neighboring Argentina 4-2.
FIFA World Cup Italy 1934
- Champion: Italy
- Host: Italy
Italy, as the host of the tournament, became the first European winner of the FIFA World Cup, a competition that was barely getting started and was held in its second edition in 1934.
It was a larger-scale tournament than the one four years earlier: it featured eight host cities instead of one, and several radio stations broadcast the matches live for their listeners in 12 of the participating countries.
As had happened in Uruguay, however, the host nation walked away with the coveted prize. Goals from Raimondo Orsi and Angelo Schiavio allowed Vittorio Pozzo's Italy to come from behind against Czechoslovakia in the Rome final and win 2-1.
FIFA World Cup France 1938
- Champion: Italy
- Host: France
With the shadow of war threatening Europe, the third edition of the FIFA World Cup was held in a bleak context. However, football, and in particular the eye-catching style deployed by Brazil, offered a ray of light to the French public during the 15 days of the tournament. Italy, the best and most consistent team, was a deserving champion.
FIFA World Cup Brazil 1950
- Champion: Uruguay
- Host: Brazil
During World War II, FIFA Vice President Ottorino Barassi hid the FIFA World Cup trophy in a shoebox under his bed, preventing it from falling into the hands of the occupying army.
The competition was organized in a round-robin format, with Brazil, Spain, Sweden, and Uruguay as the last title contenders. In its match against Uruguay, Brazil needed only a draw to lift the trophy, but lost 2-1 in front of a crowd of 174,000 at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
FIFA World Cup Switzerland 1954
- Champion: Germany
- Host: Switzerland
Four years after the frenzy at the Maracana, the Jules Rimet Trophy returned to Europe, to the much quieter setting of Switzerland. The pitch, however, was the stage for a thrilling spectacle. Hungary was the heavy favorite. Its lineup featured the names of Puskas, Bozsik, Kocsis, and Hidegkuti, a team that had gone 28 international matches undefeated and won the Olympic gold medal.
After the infamous "Battle of Bern" against Brazil, which ended with three players sent off and a brawl in the locker rooms between players from both teams, the Hungarians lost their way. In the final against Germany, a team they had previously beaten 8-3, Hungary lost 3-2 despite leading 2-0.
FIFA World Cup Sweden 1958
- Champion: Brazil
- Host: Sweden
The long, sunny days of the Swedish summer provided the ideal backdrop for Brazil's first FIFA World Cup triumph in 1958, when a certain Pele, just 17 years old, introduced himself to football fans across the planet.
Brazil, which had found a new tactical setup and boasted two formidable attacking talents, Pele and Garrincha, defeated Sweden 5-2 in the final at the Rasunda Stadium, becoming the first team to win the trophy on a continent other than its own.
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FIFA World Cup Chile 1962
- Champion: Brazil
- Host: Chile
It had always been considered that clashes between Brazil and Chile were very one-sided. A calm winter's day in Santiago, and a FIFA World Cup 1962 semifinal, provided the rare exception. Brazil ultimately retained the world title with a convincing 3-1 victory over Czechoslovakia.
FIFA World Cup England 1966
- Champion: England
- Host: England
England, playing in front of its home crowd and its most illustrious fan, Queen Elizabeth II, found itself in a situation similar to Brazil's in 1950. Its only desire was to win the World Cup at home, in this case, at Wembley.
The victory gave England its only World Cup to date, and Geoff Hurst remains the only player to have scored a hat trick in the tournament's final.
FIFA World Cup Mexico 1970
- Champion: Brazil
- Host: Mexico
Mexico witnessed a historic milestone when Brazil won its third title and permanently kept the prestigious Jules Rimet Trophy. The Selecao, which defeated Italy 4-1 in the final, fielded a star-studded team: Pele, Jairzinho, Tostao, Rivelino, Gerson, Carlos Alberto, and Clodoaldo delighted the public with their skill and attacking football.
FIFA World Cup West Germany 1974
- Champion: Germany
- Host: West Germany
It was the tournament of "total football," a showcase for the formidable Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer, who commanded the spotlight in Pele's absence. Both led their respective teams, the Netherlands and West Germany, to the final held in Munich on July 7, 1974.
FIFA World Cup Argentina 1978
- Champion: Argentina
- Host: Argentina
Argentina, which had lost the final of the first FIFA World Cup edition, claimed glory on home soil 48 years later, propelled by the goals of Golden Boot winner Mario Kempes and the fervor of its passionate fans, whose shower of blue and white confetti, swirling through the stadiums of Buenos Aires and Rosario, produced images that will never be forgotten.
FIFA World Cup Spain 1982
- Champion: Italy
- Host: Spain
Italy advanced from the first round on goal difference and would go on to win the tournament for a third time, defeating a creative Brazilian side in a stunning second-round match.
The relentless attacking play of Zico, Socrates, Falcao, and Eder ultimately cost Brazil, which lost 3-2 in a match where Paolo Rossi scored all three goals. Italy advanced to the final, where it defeated West Germany 3-1, with Rossi finishing as top scorer with six goals.
FIFA World Cup Mexico 1986
- Champion: Argentina
- Host: Mexico
The return of the World Cup to Mexico in 1986 meant another historic tournament, crowned by a thrilling conclusion. Argentina, inspired by a sublime Diego Maradona, flew into the final. Waiting for them was West Germany, eager to avenge their defeat in the 1982 final in Spain.
The 115,000 people packed into the Estadio Azteca watched the South Americans take a two-goal lead, but the tenacious German side showed its experience and delayed Argentina's celebrations with goals from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Voeller, scored just seven minutes apart in the closing stages.
With just six minutes remaining, Maradona once again displayed his genius and played a perfect through ball to Jorge Burruchaga, who split the German defense and beat Harald Schumacher with a low finish. The 3-2 victory gave Argentina its second world title and eternal glory to its incomparable No. 10.
FIFA World Cup Italy 1990
- Champion: Germany
- Host: Italy
"And well, what has he called? He's called a penalty! He's called a penalty!" said German commentator Gerd Rubenbauer to describe the play that unfolded in the 85th minute of the 1990 FIFA World Cup final, triggering tears of joy in households across the country.
Rudi Voeller had been brought down inside the box, and Mexican referee Edgardo Codesal Mendez did not hesitate to point to the spot, despite Argentina's furious protests.
FIFA World Cup United States 1994
- Champion: Brazil
- Host: United States
A magnificent FIFA World Cup, only overshadowed by a disappointing final in which Brazil prevailed on penalty kicks after a goalless draw with Italy. There were plenty of goals, excitement, drama, and surprises.
The host nation put in a solid performance, reaching the second round before being eliminated by Brazil. La Selecao was the best team in the tournament and a deserving champion.
FIFA World Cup France 1998
- Champion: France
- Host: France
With a header in the 27th minute and another in first-half stoppage time, attacking midfielder Zinedine Zidane dealt his Brazilian opponents two blows from which they would not recover.
Despite being reduced to 10 men following Marcel Desailly's dismissal in the 68th minute, France's resolve not only held off Brazil's late push but even added another goal, following a stoppage-time counterattack finished by Emmanuel Petit.
FIFA World Cup South Korea/Japan 2002
- Champion: Brazil
- Host: South Korea/Japan
Brazil had endured the worst qualifying campaign in its history, and Luiz Felipe Scolari had turned a deaf ear to the clamor for Romario's recall. However, the Brazilian manager decided to back a forward who had barely touched the ball in two and a half years. Very few imagined that the four stars on Brazil's shirt would become five in the 17th FIFA World Cup edition, but that is precisely what happened in the land of the rising sun.
Photo by ANTONIO SCORZA/AFP via Getty Images
FIFA World Cup Germany 2006
- Champion: Italy
- Host: Germany
When recalling the 2006 FIFA World Cup, one of the many unforgettable images that comes to mind is that of Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro proudly lifting the trophy at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010
- Champion: Spain
- Host: South Africa
Just 12 kilometers separate Spain from Africa at their closest points. And both were united in celebration at the end of the 19th FIFA World Cup that stretched a chain of joy from Bloemfontein to Barcelona.
This was Africa's first FIFA World Cup, and it will be remembered both for the spirit and smiles of the organizers and for the triumph of a Spanish side that reached new heights by becoming, thanks to an Andres Iniesta goal in the 116th minute against the Netherlands, the eighth country to win the sport's most coveted title.
FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014
- Champion: Germany
- Host: Brazil
From the outset, this FIFA World Cup promised to be special. Hosted by a country that has come to represent the very best of football, the 20th edition of the sport's premier competition could not be like the others.
Here we watched Germany reclaim in style a trophy it had previously won three times and, in doing so, become the first European team to triumph in the Americas.
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018
- Champion: France
- Host: Russia
The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was thrilling from start to finish. The 21st edition of the tournament also produced countless moments that will live on in the collective memory of all football lovers.
France was crowned champion for the second time in its history, following its first title as host in 1998, by defeating Croatia 4-2 in one of the most thrilling World Cup finals. At 19, Kylian Mbappe became just the second player under 20 to score a goal in a World Cup final, following in the footsteps of Pele, who scored at 17 in the 1958 World Cup.
Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
- Champion: Argentina
- Host: Qatar
The Argentina national team's dream tournament. Lionel Messifinally won the third star for his country, after suffering in every previous edition he had played (2006, 2010, and 2014). Argentina and France clashed in a duel that had everything: stunning goals, standout performances from the biggest stars, and total drama.
