Top five most contested fixtures in FIFA World Cup history ft. England vs Argentina

A total of eight countries have won the prestigious title!

The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup saw 1,248 players across 48 nations battling for the flagship trophy. The next campaign of the mega competition could feature even more teams competing on the grandest stage of them all.

The Brazil national football team remain the team with the most World Cup wins (5) to its name. During the 2026 campaign, they only reached the round of 16 and were later knocked out by the underdogs, Norway. Germany and Italy are the four-time world champions.

But in the last two editions, things have not quite been in their favour. Argentina have clinched the World Cup crown three times. They are battling it out to secure it for the fourth time.

Over the years, the FIFA World Cup has produced some amazing rivalries and performances which have caught the eye of people from around the world. There have been some teams that have faced each other the most times in the flagship tournament. These matches are what fans wait for.

Also Read: List of all goals scored from outside the box at FIFA World Cup 2026 so far ft. Lionel Messi

Most contested matches at the World Cup

5. England vs Argentina — 6 matches

In their first-ever encounter against each other, the Three Lions came out on top with a 3-1 victory in 1962. Then, four years later, the Englishmen came away with another victory (1-0) against La Albiceleste at the FIFA World Cup.

Their 1986 confrontation is well known for Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal. The Argentina national football team came out on top with a win. Later, they went on to win the World Cup crown during the same campaign.

For the fourth time at the World Cup, it was a round of 16 clash between Argentina and England. The fixture ended at 2-2 after extra time. La Albiceleste won the tie on penalties (4-3).

In 2002, these nations met for the fifth time. The Englishmen came out on top with a 1-0 victory. Their most recent clash took place during the FIFA World Cup 2026.

4. Germany vs Serbia/Yugoslavia — 6 matches

These nations first met in the flagship tournament during 1954. The Germans came out on top with a 2-0 victory. Then, four years later in 1958, the DFB team secured another win against Yugoslavia, now Serbia.

It was the third-ever clash between these nations at the FIFA World Cup 1962. Yugoslavia outplayed the Germany national football team 1-0. All of the next three clashes between these nations (1974, 1990 and 1998) ended in favour of the DFB team (2-0 and 4-1).

Germany vs Yugoslavia for the sixth time at the World Cup ended in a 2-2 draw.

3. Argentina vs Netherlands — 6 matches

The first-ever clash between these countries took place during the FIFA World Cup 1974. The Dutch completely outplayed the Argentines to secure a 4-0 win.

Four years later, in 1978, La Albiceleste took down the Netherlands by a scoreline of 3-1. They then met on the world stage 20 years later. The Orange came out on top with a 2-1 victory.

In 2006, they battled to a goalless draw. Their next clash came in 2014. It ended in a goalless draw at extra time, but Argentina came out on top with a 4-2 victory on penalties.

Their battle during the 2022 edition of the mega competition is well known for the aggression. The Dutch made a comeback to draw the game. Argentina later won the fixture on penalties.

2. Germany vs Argentina — 7 matches

The rivalry between these countries at the FIFA World Cup is well known. In 2014, Germany took down Argentina in the grand finale to win their fourth World Cup crown. This also remains their seventh and last encounter on the world stage.

Before this, they had met six times on the world stage. Their first-ever meeting took place in 1958. It ended in favour of the Germans (3-1).

Their second clash on the world stage ended in a goalless draw in 1966. They then faced each other in 1986. This time it was La Albiceleste with a 3-2 victory.

In 1990, the DFB team secured a 1-0 win. In 2006, these nations met during the quarterfinals. The game ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Germany came up with a 4-2 win on penalties. Their sixth clash was during the 2010 World Cup, where the Germans thrashed Argentina 4-0.

1. Brazil vs Sweden — 7 matches

The first-ever encounter between these nations took place during the 1938 edition of the FIFA World Cup. Brazil came out on top with a 4-2 victory. They next faced each other in 1950. That game also ended in favour of the Canarinho by a scoreline of 7-1.

Their third clash at the mega competition was during 1958. The Brazilians came out on top once again. Their clash during the 1978 World Cup ended in a 1-1 draw.

Despite facing Brazil seven times in the World Cup, the Sweden national football team have never secured a win against them. In 1990, their fifth meeting and that too ended in favour of Brazil.

During 1994, they met twice. One game ended in a draw. In the other, Canarinho emerged victorious.

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