The teams priced among the favourites in the World Cup winner odds at the BetMGM sportsbook are usually the same from one tournament to the next. It’s never easy to predict which team will lift the trophy, but there are only a few teams with a realistic chance of going all the way.
In 22 World Cup editions, only eight countries have been crowned world champions. Of those eight, six have won the World Cup on multiple occasions.
11 Best World Cup Teams of All Time, Ranked
| Rank | Nation | Titles | Runners-Up Finishes |
| 1 | Brazil | 5 (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) | 2 |
| T-2 | Germany | 4 (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014) | 4 |
| T-2 | Italy | 4 (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) | 2 |
| 4 | Argentina | 3 (1978, 1986, 2022) | 3 |
| T-5 | France | 2 (1998, 2018) | 2 |
| T-5 | Uruguay | 2 (1930, 1950) | 0 |
| T-7 | England | 1 (1966) | 0 |
| T-7 | Spain | 1 (2010) | 0 |
| 9 | Netherlands | 0 | 3 |
| T-10 | Hungary | 0 | 2 |
| T-10 | Czech Republic | 0 | 2 |
Who Are the Best Men’s FIFA World Cup Teams in History?
1. Brazil
Despite only making one semifinal appearance since 2002, Brazil remains the most successful team in men’s World Cup history.
The Seleção has been led by some of the greatest soccer players of all time, including Pelé, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho. The pressure of representing Brazil in a World Cup is immense, such are the sky-high expectations every four years.
T-2. Germany
Germany is one behind Brazil in title count, but holds the record for the most semifinals reached (13) and the most finals played in (eight).
Since reaching their first final in 1954, Germany haven’t gone longer than two World Cups without making the final.
T-2. Italy
Italy hasn’t reached a World Cup semifinal since 2006. The Azzurri failed to qualify for the last two World Cups and were eliminated at the group stage in 2010 and 2014.
When Italy is good, the team invariably reaches the World Cup final. The Italians have won the tournament four times, despite reaching the semifinals only eight times.
4. Argentina
Argentina has made six World Cup semifinal appearances and reached six World Cup finals. Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi have ensured the country has been a perennial contender.
La Albiceleste remains a threat, but it will be fascinating to see how they fare once Messi retires.
T-5. France
It took until 1998 for France to reach its first World Cup final. Since then, Les Bleus have won two World Cups and finished as runners-up twice.
France didn’t live up to expectations when Michel Platini was at his peak, but have made up for that over the last three decades.
T-5. Uruguay
Uruguay was a force to be reckoned with in the first 30 years of the World Cup, winning the first-ever edition of the tournament and a second title 20 years later. Uruguay became the third nation to win multiple World Cups.
While still capable of going on a deep run, Uruguay hasn’t been as much of a factor in recent years. Uruguay has only reached one semifinal since 1970.
T-7. England
Winners as hosts in 1966, England has not reached another World Cup final since. The Three Lions suffered heartbreaking losses in the last four in 1990 and 2018.
For all the talent they’ve had over the years, England have been one of the World Cup’s biggest underachievers.
T-7. Spain
Prior to the brilliance of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning team, Spain’s only previous semifinal appearance was in 1950.
The four-time European champions haven’t won a World Cup knockout match since 2010.
9. Netherlands
The Netherlands has the most semifinal appearances (five) and the most runner-up finishes (three) without winning the World Cup.
A country that has produced some of the best players in the sport’s history should have achieved more in World Cups.
T-10. Hungary
Runners-up to Italy in 1938 and to Germany 16 years later, Hungary was a powerhouse of world football for a period, thanks to stars like Ferenc Puskás and Sándor Kocsis.
The Magyars haven’t been relevant in recent decades – they last qualified for the World Cup in 1986 and haven’t made it beyond the first round since 1966.
T-10. Czech Republic
As part of Czechoslovakia, Czechia lost to Italy in the final in 1934 and was defeated by Brazil in 1962.
Their only World Cup appearance since 1990 ended in a group stage exit.
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