10 Most Successful Teams in World Cup History
#10 – England
England are one of the two oldest national teams in football; alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world’s first international football match in 1872. They were World Cup hosts and winners in 1966 and semi-finalists in Italy in 1990, though it’s arguable whether they are still a top ten team in the world right now, even though they’re officially ranked at #10 in the FIFA World Rankings.
Most Capped Player: Peter Shilton, 125 (1970 – 1990)
Top Goal Scorer: Bobby Charlton, 49 (1968 – 1970)
#9 – Spain
2010 World Cup winners Spain are currently ranked number one in the FIFA World Rankings and have always been one of the most exciting teams to watch due to their quick and skillful passing style of play. Despite this, they have only ever reach the top four twice, as semi-finalists in 1950 and winners in 2010.
Most Capped Player: Iker Casillas, 153 (2000 – present)
Top Goal Scorer: David Villa, 56 (2005 – present)
#8 – Sweden
Although Sweden have never actually won the World Cup, they have appeared in the semi-finals four times, in 1938, 1950, 1958 and 1994, reaching the final in 1968 against Brazil. This record is especially good when you consider that the country, even today, has a population of less than 10 million people.
Most Capped Player: Anders Svensson, 148 (1999 – 2013)
Top Goal Scorer: Sven Rydell, 49 (1921 – 1932)
#7 – Netherlands
Like Sweden, the Netherlands (often referred to as Holland) have also appeared in the semi-finals four times, in 1974, 1978, 1998 and 2010, but reaching the finals three times in 1974, 1978 and 2010. They are probably the best team to have never won the World Cup. Their 1974 team including Cruijff, Neeskens, Rep, Rensenbrink, Krol and van Hanegem are considered to be one of the best teams of all time.
Most Capped Player: Edwin van der Sar, 130 (1995 – 2008)
Top Goal Scorer: Robin van Persie, 43 (2005 – present)
#6 – Argentina
Argentina have reached the World cup finals four times, in 1930, 1978, 1986 and 1990, all occasions of which they progressed to the finals, actually winning the tournament in 1978 and 1986. Their 1986 team is still considered to be one of the best in World Cup history due mainly to the individual genius of captain and midfielder Diego Maradona. They are currently ranked #5 in the FIFA World Cup rankings.
Most Capped Player: Javier Zanetti, 145 (1994 – 2011)
Top Goal Scorer: Gabriel Batistuta, 56 (1991 – 2002)
#5 – France
France have reached the World cup semi-finals five times, in 1958, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2006, winning the tournament in 1998 and reaching the final in 2006. Their 1998 team is considered to be one of the best in World Cup history with star players such as Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps, Laurent Blanc, Lilian Thuram and Thierry Henry helping them to beat Brazil 3-0 in the final of that year. They have struggled to build a strong team over recent years and their FIFA World rankings is currently down at #17.
Most Capped Player: Lilian Thuram, 142 (1994 – 2008)
Top Goal Scorer: Thierry Henry, 51 (1997 – 2010)
#4 – Uruguay
Like France, Uruguay have reached the World cup semi-finals five times, in 1930, 1950, 1954, 1970, 2010, winning the tournament in 1930 and 1950. They were the first nation to host (and win) the World Cup, in 1930 and have been a strong team in most tournaments ever since. They are currently ranked #7 in the FIFA World Rankings and are one of the favourites to do well in this year’s World Cup.
Most Capped Player: Diego Forlán, 110 (2002 – present)
Top Goal Scorer: Luis Suárez, 38 (2007 – present)
#3 – Italy
Italy have reached the World cup semi-finals an impressive eight times, in 1934, 1938, 1970, 1978, 1982, 1990, 1994, 2006, winning the tournament four times, in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006. Their 1982 team is considered to be one of the best of all time and included key players such as Gaetano Scirea, Antonio Cabrini, Claudio Gentile, Bruno Conti and Paolo Rossi. Their form over recent years hasn’t been as good as in the past and they are currently ranked #9 in the FIFA World Rankings.
Most Capped Player: Gianluigi Buffon, 140 (1997 – present)
Top Goal Scorer: Luigi Riva, 35 (1965 – 1974)
#2 – Germany
Germany have reached the World cup semi-finals more than other other team in history… a whopping twelve times, in 1934, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1982, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2006 and 2010, winning the tournament three times, in 1954, 1974 and 1990. Their 1974 team (when they were West Germany) is considered to be one of the best of all time and included the famous players Sepp Maier, Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller. They rarely have a bad World Cup and are as strong as ever, ranked #2 in the FIFA World Rankings.
Most Capped Player: Lothar Matthäus, 150 (1980 – 2000)
Top Goal Scorer: Miroslav Klose, 69 (2001 – present)
#1 – Brazil
Few people would against Brazil being the most successful team in World Cup history, or in fact the best football team ever. Their record speaks for itself: they have reached the World cup semi-finals ten times and have won the tournament more than any other team; five times in the years of 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Their 1970 World Cup winning team is widely considered to be the best team of all time and included the players Jairzinho, Tostao, Rivelino, Carlos Alberto and the legendary Pelé. They are the hosts this year and naturally, one of the hot favourites.
Most Capped Player: Cafu, 142 (1990 – 2006)
Top Goal Scorer: Pelé, 77 (1957 – 1971)
Courtesy of http://www.uncoverdiscover.com
