There are some countries that are renowned for soccer and others that simply are not. As an example, the U.S. has not only never won the cup, but they have never been to the finals. They did not even qualify for the 2018 World Cup. They had, however, qualified for the last seven tournaments. This was the first time since 1986 that they did not qualify. Still, football, as it is known around the world, is not the sport of choice or preference in the U.S.Those that are well known for their strength on the pitch are fairly evident, and those that over the past 20 years of so have made themselves known as the World Cup top performing countries are the ones to definitely watch in this tournament.
The Top of the World Cup Heap
Since 1990, there are two countries that have been dominant in the World Cup. The top of the heap as far as football is concerned is Brazil. Across the history of the event, they have been to the finals a total of seven times. Three of those times were from 1990 on. Of those three finals, which were in 1994, 1998, and 2002, they’ve won the trophy twice. Brazil was runner-up in 1998. They’ve won the event five times. No one has more World Cup championships.
One country has been to the finals more than Brazil. That country is Germany. With eight appearances in the final match, they have won the tournament four times. That’s one less than Brazil. Since 1990, they too have been to three finals (1990, 2002, 2014). Germany has taken the crown twice, and in 2002, they were the runner-up to Brazil.
World Cup Top Performing Countries – Second Tier
There are a few nations that can be considered second tier as far as performance is concerned. Italy six times and won four championships. In 2006, they won it all, and in 1994, they were the runner-up. Argentina, with its five finals, looks impressive, but they won the cup was 1986. They have been the runner-up twice since 1990. The first time was in 1990 and the second was in 2014 when they lost to Germany.
France has come into its own lately, making the finals in 1998 and 2006. They took home the trophy in 1998. Spain, which in World Cup history has been to the finals once and won it that time, has been fairly impressive as of late. Their one final and win was in 2010. In that tournament, they beat the Netherlands for the win.
2018 World Cup- Best Teams
Italy did not make the event this time around, and Argentina looks good but probably not good enough to go the distance. France and Spain do bring very good and highly competitive teams to the pitch. Still, it is Germany and Brazil that everyone is looking to when it comes to predicting the 2018 World Cup top performing countries and possible champs. See our World Cup 2018 picks and betting articles.
