After years, months, weeks and days of waiting, the Qatar 2022 World Cup will finally kickoff today.
This is the first World Cup to be held in the Arab world, and the second held in Asia after the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan.
And ahead of the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador, Completesports.com looks at the eight countries who have won the World Cup.
BRAZIL:Five-time world champion
After the heartbreak of losing the World Cup title to Uruguay in 1950 on home soil, Brazil eventually became champions when they defeated host of the 1958 edition Sweden 5-2 in the final.
In the 1962 edition held in Chile, the Brazilians retained their title after overcoming former Czechoslovakia in the final 3-1.
Brazil crashed out in the group stage at the 1966 tournament but bounced back to be crowned champions at Mexico 1970. A 4-1 win against Italy saw them land their third title.
The South American giants had to wait until USA 1994 before they could get their hands on the World Cup again which was their fourth. A pulsating encounter in the final against Italy saw them eventually triumph 3-2 on penalties after 120 minutes ended goalless.
And the last time Brazil tasted World Cup success was at the Korea/Japan 2002 edition where a brace from Ronaldo in the final against Germany secured a 2-0 win and a fifth title.
GERMANY: Four-time world champion
Despite Hungary going into the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland as favourites, it was Germany (known then as West Germany) who emerged champions.
The Hungarians were 2-0 ahead in the final before Germany fought back to win 3-2 and become world champions for the first time.
Germany then landed their second World Cup title when as host in 1974 they beat a Johan Cruyff-led Netherlands in the final 2-1.
In 1990 in Italy, Germany once again emerged champions as they pipped Argentina 1-0 in the final played inside the Rome Olympic stadium.
And when Brazil hosted the World Cup in 2014, it was Germany who emerged victors, securing a fourth title courtesy a Mario Gotze’s second half extra-time winner against Argentina.
Also Read: A Group-By-Group Breakdown For Qatar 2022
ITALY: Four-time world champion
The Azzurris first got their hands on the World Cup trophy as host in 1934, thanks to a 2-1 win after extra-time against Czechoslovakia in the final.
And in the 1938 tournament held in France, Italy become the first-ever country to defend the title as the final clash with Hungary ended in a 4-2 win.
The Italians had to wait until the 1982 edition in Spain before being crowned champions again, coming out tops 3-1 in the final against Germany.
And in 2006 in Germany, with both teams tied at 1-1 after extra-time Italy triumphed 5-3 on penalties in the final against France to become four-time champions.
ARGENTINA: Two-time world champion
Appearing in the final for the first time, host of the 1978 World Cup Argentina beat Netherlands 3-1 after extra-time.
And inspired by the late Diego Maradona, Argentina landed their second title when they edged Germany 3-2 in the final of the Mexico 1986 World Cup.
FRANCE: Two-time world champion
The French hosted in 1998 and denied Brazil the chance to defend the World Cup title with the final in Paris ending 3-0.
Then in the final of the Russia 2018 World Cup, France secured their second title as they defeated Croatia 4-2.
URUGUAY: Two-time world champion
Uruguay hosted the first-ever World Cup in 1930 and became the first-ever winners following their 4-2 win against Argentina in the final.
They repeated the feat again at the 1950 World Cup held in Brazil where they pipped the five-time champions thanks to a 2-1 comeback win.
ENGLAND: One-time world champion
The Three Lions of England joined the exclusive list of World Cup champions when they hosted and won the 1966 edition.
In the final played against Germany inside the famous Wembley stadium, England won 4-2 after extra-time.
SPAIN: One-time world champion
After years of underachieving at major tournaments, Spain eventually became World Cup champions thanks to their feat at the 2010 edition in South Africa.
A late Andres Iniesta goal in extra-time earned Spain a 1-0 win in the final against the Netherlands.
Copyright © 2024 Completesports.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Completesports.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Completesports.com.
COMMENTS