The Greatest World Cup Winning Teams

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Matthew Adams | Last updated Sep 6, 2025 5:32 AM ET

While there have been numerous FIFA World Cups, not all World Cup-winning teams were that brilliant. The current champion, Argentina, is maybe not the best winning team since 1930. There have been some great soccer teams that have lifted the World Cup.

The Brazilian Wonders of 1970

The Brazilian team of 1970 is a case in point. Many pundits rate that soccer team the best to have played. The team had Pele, for one thing, but other great players like Alberto and Jarizinho. In the end, they ran out 4-1 winners in the final over Italy in a fine display of attacking play. Aside from this, they won all their games in the World Cup, from the group stages through to the final, also beating the defending champions England 1-0 in the group stages.

Ramsey’s Wingless Wonders

The England team of 1966 was not bad either. True, they had a home advantage to win this World Cup. It cannot be denied that they still had to overcome the likes of Portugal in the semi-finals and West Germany in the final, which they did convincingly enough (maybe with a little help from the referee). Alf Ramsey’s wingless wonders had the likes of Bobby Moore, Jimmy Greaves, Gordon Banks, and Bobby Charlton in a great line-up of players. England’s greatest ever team was not outmatched against Brazil in 1970 either, even though they lost that match 1-0.

The Double Champions

While Italian teams are regarded a little negatively for their defensive style of soccer, few can doubt that they have had some of the World Cup’s best teams. In 1938, Italy became the first team to defend the World Cup after beating the likes of Brazil and Hungary en route. This team may well have eclipsed the 1934 side that won on home soil.

The only other World Cup team to have done so is Brazil in 1962. They became two-time champions with a nucleus of players like Vava and Garrincha, which would provide the benchmark for others. They beat the Czechs 3-1 in the final without Pele. While the 1958 team undoubtedly provided a soccer lesson to the Swedes, winning 5-2, defending a trophy is harder.

In 1974, West Germany won the World Cup. That was one of their best-ever sides, with the likes of Gerd Müller and Franz Beckenbauer on show. Although the Dutch could be brilliant and in the final proved tricky, the West Germans would come out on top 2-1 to beat one of the best runners-up.

End of My Greatest World Cup Winning Teams Rant

The World Cup-winning teams from 1962 to 1974 were among the best in history, in my opinion. They were all teams with some fantastic players, and the Brazilian sides also played enthralling attacking soccer that was great to watch. It is hard to say whether more recent World Cup winners bear comparison to these great teams. The era of international football, 1962-1974, arguably provided some of the best teams seen on the world stage, so probably not.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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