FIFA World Cup Winners List: Quick Answer

The FIFA World Cup has been won by eight countries: Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Uruguay, England and Spain. Brazil lead the all-time list with five titles. Germany and Italy have four each. Argentina have three, including the latest completed World Cup in 2022.

FIFA World Cup Winners List By Year

The complete FIFA World Cup winners list shows how international football power has shifted across eras. Uruguay and Italy dominated the early decades, Brazil transformed the tournament from 1958 onward, Europe controlled long stretches of the modern era, and Argentina returned to the top in 2022.

For a focused year-by-year archive: FIFA World Cup Winners by Year (1930–2022) →

World Cup Winners List By Country

Brazil sit alone at the top of the World Cup winners list by country ranking. Germany and Italy are the closest challengers, while Argentina’s 2022 triumph moved them clear of France and Uruguay.

For the full country ranking: World Cup Winners by Country →

The Jules Rimet Era: Uruguay, Italy And The First Dynasties

The earliest World Cups created the tournament’s mythology. Uruguay won the first edition in 1930, Italy became the first back-to-back champion by 1938, Uruguay shocked Brazil in 1950, and West Germany’s 1954 win became one of football’s defining upsets.

1930: Uruguay 4-2 Argentina

Uruguay’s win at the Estadio Centenario made them the first name on the FIFA World Cup winners list. Captain José Nasazzi lifted the original trophy, and Uruguay turned their Olympic pedigree into the first official world championship.

1934: Italy 2-1 Czechoslovakia

Italy entered the FIFA World Cup winners list on home soil in 1934. Vittorio Pozzo’s team beat Czechoslovakia 2-1 after extra time, giving the tournament its first European champion and setting the foundation for Italy’s early dominance.

1938: Italy 4-2 Hungary

Italy beat Hungary 4-2 in the 1938 final in France, becoming the first country to win consecutive World Cups. Pozzo remains the only manager to win the men’s World Cup twice, which makes Italy’s early run one of the most important dynasties in tournament history.

1950: Uruguay 2-1 Brazil

The 1950 tournament did not have a traditional one-match final, but Uruguay’s 2-1 win over Brazil in the decisive final group match is remembered as the Maracanazo. Brazil needed only a draw, but Uruguay silenced the Maracanã and became world champions for the second time.

1954: West Germany 3-2 Hungary

West Germany’s 1954 victory over Hungary remains one of the great World Cup shocks. Hungary had been the dominant team of the era, but West Germany came from behind to win 3-2 in Bern and claim their first World Cup title.

The Pelé Era: Brazil Changed The World Cup Forever

Brazil’s rise transformed the winners list. From 1958 to 1970, Brazil won three of four tournaments, introduced Pelé to the world, and became the first nation to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently.

1958: Brazil 5-2 Sweden

A 17-year-old Pelé scored twice in the 1958 final as Brazil beat Sweden 5-2. The victory gave Brazil their first World Cup and began the country’s transformation into the tournament’s most successful nation.

1962: Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia

Brazil defended the title in Chile even after Pelé’s injury, with Garrincha becoming the tournament’s defining player. The 1962 win confirmed that Brazil’s rise was not a single-tournament spark, but the start of a true World Cup dynasty.

1966: England 4-2 West Germany

England joined the winners list in 1966, beating West Germany 4-2 after extra time at Wembley. Geoff Hurst scored a final hat-trick, and Bobby Moore lifted the trophy in front of a home crowd.

1970: Brazil 4-1 Italy

Brazil’s 1970 team is still remembered as one of the greatest international sides ever assembled. The 4-1 win over Italy gave Brazil their third World Cup title and allowed them to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently.

The Modern Trophy Era: From Beckenbauer To Messi

The current FIFA World Cup Trophy debuted in 1974. Since then, the winners list has featured Total Football heartbreak, Maradona’s 1986 peak, Brazil’s fifth star, Spain’s first triumph, Germany’s 2014 win in Brazil and Messi’s crowning moment with Argentina in 2022.

1974: West Germany 2-1 Netherlands

Franz Beckenbauer captained West Germany to the 1974 title, beating Johan Cruyff’s Netherlands. The final also marked the first time a World Cup winner lifted the modern FIFA World Cup Trophy.

1978: Argentina 3-1 Netherlands

Argentina won their first World Cup at home in 1978, beating the Netherlands 3-1 after extra time. Mario Kempes became the face of the tournament, and Argentina joined the winners list for the first time.

1982: Italy 3-1 West Germany

Italy’s 1982 title was driven by Paolo Rossi’s late-tournament explosion. The 3-1 final win over West Germany gave Italy their third World Cup and restored the Azzurri to the top of international football.

1986: Argentina 3-2 West Germany

Diego Maradona delivered one of the most famous individual World Cup campaigns ever in 1986. Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 in the final, claiming their second World Cup title.

1990: West Germany 1-0 Argentina

West Germany gained revenge against Argentina in 1990, winning 1-0 in Rome. The result gave Germany their third World Cup title and closed the West Germany era before reunification.

1994: Brazil 0-0 Italy, Brazil 3-2 On Penalties

Brazil ended a 24-year wait in 1994, winning the first World Cup final decided by penalties. The shootout victory over Italy gave Brazil their fourth title and returned them to the top of the winners list.

1998: France 3-0 Brazil

France joined the winners list in 1998 after beating Brazil 3-0 in Paris. Zinedine Zidane scored twice in the final, and France became world champions for the first time on home soil.

2002: Brazil 2-0 Germany

Brazil claimed a record fifth title in 2002 as Ronaldo Nazário scored twice in the final against Germany. Brazil remain the only nation to win the men’s World Cup five times.

2006: Italy 1-1 France, Italy 5-3 On Penalties

Italy won their fourth title in 2006 after beating France on penalties. The final is remembered for both Italy’s defensive discipline and one of the most dramatic closing chapters in World Cup history.

2010: Spain 1-0 Netherlands

Spain became a first-time winner in 2010, beating the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time. Andrés Iniesta scored the decisive goal, completing Spain’s golden era between the European Championship and World Cup.

2014: Germany 1-0 Argentina

Germany won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after Mario Götze’s extra-time goal against Argentina. It was Germany’s fourth title and the first time a European nation won the World Cup in South America.

2018: France 4-2 Croatia

France added a second star in 2018 after beating Croatia 4-2 in Moscow. The win confirmed a new French generation and placed France among the countries with multiple World Cup titles.

2022: Argentina 3-3 France, Argentina 4-2 On Penalties

Argentina’s 2022 triumph gave Lionel Messi the defining international crown of his career. After a 3-3 draw against France, Argentina won 4-2 on penalties and became three-time world champions.

Two Trophies, One Winners List

The World Cup winners list is split across two trophy eras. From 1930 to 1970, teams competed for the Jules Rimet Trophy. Brazil kept it permanently after winning their third title in 1970. From 1974 onward, winners have lifted the modern FIFA World Cup Trophy.

For the trophy story: Jules Rimet Trophy: The Great Heist and Disappearance →

Frequently Asked Questions

Fact-Check Notes

Last updated: July 2026. Winners, hosts, final scores and trophy-era details are based on official FIFA World Cup historical records and tournament final data through the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

• FIFA: Men’s World Cup Tournament Archive
• TMJ: World Cup Winners By Year
• TMJ: World Cup Winners By Country
• TMJ: FIFA World Cup Records