<p>The 2022 World Cup made a serious case to be the best tournament ever. Upsets, dramatic storylines, incredible goals and the greatest player of all time won his first World Cup. A storybook ending to an incredible sporting event on the field. </p>



<p>The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/argentina-win-world-cup-in-one-of-the-classic-finals-of-all-time-20221218-WST-412674.html">Final itself is worthy of history</a>. Argentina defeated France in a thrilling game that needed penalties. Kylian Mbappé, the heir apparent to greatness, scored a hat trick. Two of his goals were penalties, yes. However, the middle goal of the three is a contender for goal of the tournament. Still, it was Lionel Messi, Mbappé’s PSG teammate who had two goals of his own on the day, that garnered the headlines. He led Argentina to the promised land for his first time and Argentina’s third.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Argentina vs. France Highlights | 2022 FIFA World Cup Final" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mxkg3qLIPC8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>To be fair, other World Cups had great stories, too. Brazil 2014 was a fun one that saw six games in the knockout round go to extra time. Brazil’s famous 7-1 loss led into Germany’s fourth World Cup, a win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the Final. The 2002 World Cup also saw greatness. Ronaldo won Brazil’s fifth World Cup with a brace in the Final. However, that World Cup also sparks debate due to the <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/ywgx4y/how-the-2002-world-cup-became-the-most-controversial-tournament-in-recent-memory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">controversy surrounding some of the officiating</a>. </p>



<p>Then, going further back into the tournament’s history, the 1986 was the spectacle of Diego Maradona. Great goals, great performances and the Hand of God to make everything more up in the air.</p>



<h2>What is the best World Cup in tournament history?</h2>



<p>Many factors and biases impact one’s interpretation of the World Cup tiers. Argentina fans, unsurprisingly, would call 1978, 1986 and 2022 the greatest World Cups bar none. German fans would say 2014 holds a special place, even if it is something of a nightmare for many from Argentina. </p>



<p>As an American, I hold fond memories of 2014. Sure, the kickoff times went a long way as I did not have to wake up at 5 in the morning. Still, the overall energy provided by South America was a joy throughout the competition. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Chai v.d. Laage</em></p>


Which is the best World Cup tournament ever?

Of all the World Cup iterations in history, which one takes the cake as the best tournament ever? Something recent, or perhaps something old?

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<p>The countries with the most World Cup soccer titles are an elite group.</p>
<p>These nations have history of producing world class talent each year. Therefore, they are always in the mix for contention when the World Cup rolls around every four years.</p>
<p>In the 21 editions of the tournament, only eight countries out of FIFA’s 211 members won the World Cup. Then, six of those can say they won the competition multiple times. Spain and England are the only countries to win just one World Cup Final. Interestingly, three countries played in more World Cup Finals than both Spain and England. However, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Hungary all came up short on multiple occasions.</p>
<p>There is certainly overlap between where the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/04/21/world-cup-top-scorers-of-all-time/">best players in the history of the game</a> come from and which country has the most World Cup soccer titles. Pele, Diego Maradona, Gerd Muller and more all played crucial roles in lifting the World Cup.</p>
<p>However, Pele stands out. As a member of the Brazil National Team, he is the only player to claim three World Cups as a player. Plenty of Brazilians won two with Brazil winning three World Cups in four tournaments from 1958 to 1970.</p>
<p>Therefore, Brazil built its pedigree as one of the most successful countries at the World Cup. Despite last winning over 20 years ago, Brazil remains the country with the most World Cup titles in history.</p>
<h3>The country with the most World Cup soccer titles</h3>
<p>	table.tableizer-table {<br>		font-size: 12px;<br>		border: 1px solid #CCC;<br>		font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;<br>	}<br>	.tableizer-table td {<br>		padding: 4px;<br>		margin: 3px;<br>		border: 1px solid #CCC;<br>	}<br>	.tableizer-table th {<br>		background-color: #104E8B;<br>		color: #FFF;<br>		font-weight: bold;<br>	}</p>
<table class="tableizer-table">
<thead>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow">
<th>Country</th>
<th>World Cup wins</th>
<th>Runner-up finishes</th>
<th>Years won</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Brazil</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">5</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Germany</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1954, 1974, 1990, 2014</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Italy</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1934, 1938, 1982, 2006</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Argentina</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1978. 1986</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>France</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1998, 2018</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Uruguay</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1930, 1950</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>England</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1966</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Spain</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2010</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>There are interesting things to note regarding Brazil being the country with the most World Cup wins. From 1950 to 2002, the World Cup Final featured one of Brazil or Germany/West Germany each tournament except for one. That exception is when Argentina defeated the Netherlands in 1978. Only once did Brazil and Germany play each other in a Final: 2002 when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/30/worldcupfootball2002.sport19">Oliver Kahn’s mistake in goal</a> opened up a lead Brazil would not relinquish.</p>
<p>Something else not listed in the table above are the efforts of the Netherlands. Despite three World Cup Final appearances, the Netherlands lost against West Germany, Argentina and Spain.</p>
<p>While the host of the World Cup switches each year, it is always more fun from a neutral fan’s perspective when they host nation does well. Having the support of a nation on full display provides more excitement. Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Uruguay and England all won the World Cup on home soil at some point. Brazil despite both being the country with the most World Cup titles and hosting the competition twice, is not one of those teams. In 1950, over 150,000 fans watched Brazil lose in the final against Uruguay. Then, in 2014, a crushing 7-1 defeat in the semifinals sent the hosts packing.</p>
<p>All these teams enter the World Cup each year with hopes of adding to their trophy cabinet. That is, of course, leaving out Italy, which failed to qualify for a second-consecutive World Cup in 2022.</p>
<p><em>Photo credit: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images</em></p>


What country has the most World Cup soccer titles?

Eight nations have won the World Cup. Of these soccer giants, which country actually has the most World Cup titles in the competition?

What country has the most World Cup soccer titles? - World Soccer Talk

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