The FIFA World Cup has produced only eight champion nations across 23 editions from 1930 through 2026. Brazil remain the most successful country with five titles, while Germany and Italy have four each.
Spain are the newest champions after defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the 2026 final, giving La Roja their second men’s World Cup title. That result moved Spain level with France and Uruguay on two championships.
FIFA World Cup Winners by Country
| Rank | Country | Titles | Winning years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 5 | 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002 |
| 2 | Germany | 4 | 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014 |
| 2 | Italy | 4 | 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006 |
| 4 | Argentina | 3 | 1978, 1986, 2022 |
| 5 | France | 2 | 1998, 2018 |
| 5 | Spain | 2 | 2010, 2026 |
| 5 | Uruguay | 2 | 1930, 1950 |
| 8 | England | 1 | 1966 |
FIFA’s official ranking of countries with the most World Cup titles confirms Brazil’s record five championships, followed by Germany and Italy on four. Spain’s 2026 victory raised the total number of tournaments played to 23 and kept the list of champion nations at eight.
How Many Countries Have Won the FIFA World Cup?
Eight countries have won the men’s FIFA World Cup: Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Spain, Uruguay and England.
That is a remarkably small group considering the tournament’s long history. Europe accounts for 13 of the 23 titles through 2026, while South America has won the other 10. No country from North America, Africa, Asia or Oceania has yet won the men’s tournament.
Brazil — 5 World Cup Titles
Brazil are the most successful nation in World Cup history with five titles. Their victories came in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.
The 1958 breakthrough in Sweden introduced a 17-year-old Pelé to the world stage. Brazil defended the trophy in 1962, then produced one of the tournament’s most celebrated teams in 1970, beating Italy 4-1 in the final.
After a 24-year wait, Brazil returned to the top in 1994 by defeating Italy on penalties. Their fifth title arrived in 2002 when Ronaldo scored twice against Germany in the final in Yokohama.
Brazil’s five wins span four different host regions: Europe, South America, North America and Asia. They remain the only country with five men’s World Cup trophies.
Germany — 4 World Cup Titles
Germany have won four World Cups: 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. FIFA counts the three titles won by West Germany together with the 2014 title won by the reunified German national team.
The 1954 victory over Hungary became known as the Miracle of Bern. West Germany then won on home soil in 1974 and defeated Argentina in the 1990 final.
Germany’s fourth title came in Brazil in 2014, when Mario Götze scored the extra-time winner against Argentina at the Maracanã.
Italy — 4 World Cup Titles
Italy also have four titles, won in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006. Their first two championships made them the first country to retain the World Cup.
Vittorio Pozzo remains the only coach to win two men’s World Cups, leading Italy in both 1934 and 1938. The Azzurri’s third title came in 1982 behind Paolo Rossi, and their fourth arrived in 2006 after a penalty-shootout victory over France.
Argentina — 3 World Cup Titles
Argentina have won three World Cups: 1978, 1986 and 2022.
Mario Kempes inspired the first championship on home soil in 1978. Diego Maradona then delivered one of the greatest individual World Cup campaigns in 1986 as Argentina defeated West Germany in the final.
Lionel Messi captained Argentina to their third title in 2022 after a dramatic penalty-shootout victory over France. Argentina reached the final again in 2026 but were beaten 1-0 after extra time by Spain.
For a country-specific breakdown, see our guide to Argentina’s FIFA World Cup wins.
France — 2 World Cup Titles
France have won twice, in 1998 and 2018. Their first championship came on home soil when Zinedine Zidane scored twice in a 3-0 final victory over Brazil.
Twenty years later, France defeated Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 final in Moscow. Les Bleus then reached the 2022 final but lost to Argentina on penalties, leaving them with two titles.
Spain — 2 World Cup Titles
Spain won their first World Cup in 2010 and their second in 2026.
The 2010 team defeated the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time in Johannesburg, with Andrés Iniesta scoring the winning goal. Sixteen years later, Spain beat Argentina by the same 1-0 extra-time scoreline in New York New Jersey.
Ferran Torres scored the 106th-minute winner in the 2026 final, making Spain world champions for the second time. FIFA’s official 2026 final report records Spain’s victory and Torres’ decisive goal.
Read more in our Spain World Cup history and titles guide.
Uruguay — 2 World Cup Titles
Uruguay won the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and added a second title in 1950.
Their first triumph came at home, where they defeated Argentina 4-2 in the final in Montevideo. The 1950 tournament used a final round-robin group rather than a single championship match, so Uruguay’s famous 2-1 victory over Brazil at the Maracanã was the decisive game rather than an official final.
That result remains one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
England — 1 World Cup Title
England’s only World Cup title came in 1966 on home soil. They defeated West Germany 4-2 after extra time at Wembley, with Geoff Hurst becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a men’s World Cup final. Kylian Mbappé became the second in 2022.
England have not won the trophy again, although they finished third at the 2026 tournament.
Every FIFA World Cup Winner by Year
| Year | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Uruguay | Argentina |
| 1934 | Italy | Czechoslovakia |
| 1938 | Italy | Hungary |
| 1950 | Uruguay | Brazil |
| 1954 | West Germany | Hungary |
| 1958 | Brazil | Sweden |
| 1962 | Brazil | Czechoslovakia |
| 1966 | England | West Germany |
| 1970 | Brazil | Italy |
| 1974 | West Germany | Netherlands |
| 1978 | Argentina | Netherlands |
| 1982 | Italy | West Germany |
| 1986 | Argentina | West Germany |
| 1990 | West Germany | Argentina |
| 1994 | Brazil | Italy |
| 1998 | France | Brazil |
| 2002 | Brazil | Germany |
| 2006 | Italy | France |
| 2010 | Spain | Netherlands |
| 2014 | Germany | Argentina |
| 2018 | France | Croatia |
| 2022 | Argentina | France |
| 2026 | Spain | Argentina |
For a dedicated year-by-year version, see our FIFA World Cup winners list. You can also compare championship-match scores in our complete World Cup final results guide.
Which Countries Have Won Back-to-Back World Cups?
Only Italy and Brazil have successfully defended the men’s World Cup title.
- Italy: 1934 and 1938.
- Brazil: 1958 and 1962.
No team has won three consecutive men’s World Cups.
Which Countries Won the World Cup as Hosts?
Six nations have won the men’s World Cup while hosting the tournament: Uruguay in 1930, Italy in 1934, England in 1966, West Germany in 1974, Argentina in 1978 and France in 1998.
For the full hosting history, see our FIFA World Cup host countries list.
World Cup Titles by Confederation
| Confederation region | Titles through 2026 | Champion nations |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 13 | Germany, Italy, France, Spain, England |
| South America | 10 | Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay |
| North/Central America & Caribbean | 0 | None |
| Africa | 0 | None |
| Asia | 0 | None |
| Oceania | 0 | None |
World Cup History Notes
The first FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. The tournament was not played in 1942 or 1946 because of World War II, then returned in Brazil in 1950.
FIFA’s official archive of World Cup champions from 1930 to 1978 and its companion champions archive from 1982 to 2026 together cover every edition through Spain’s latest title.
FAQs
Which country has won the most FIFA World Cups?
Brazil have won the most men’s FIFA World Cups with five titles: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.
How many countries have won the FIFA World Cup?
Eight countries have won the men’s tournament through 2026: Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Spain, Uruguay and England.
Who won the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final on July 19, 2026.
How many World Cups has Spain won?
Spain have won two men’s World Cups, in 2010 and 2026.
How many World Cups has Argentina won?
Argentina have won three, in 1978, 1986 and 2022.
How many World Cups has Germany won?
Germany have four FIFA-recognized titles: 1954, 1974 and 1990 as West Germany, plus 2014 as reunified Germany.
Which countries have won consecutive World Cups?
Italy won back-to-back titles in 1934 and 1938, while Brazil repeated in 1958 and 1962.
Was there a World Cup final in 1950?
No. The 1950 tournament ended with a four-team final round-robin group. Uruguay’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in the final game decided the championship, but it was not technically a knockout final.
