Which continent has won the most FIFA World Cup titles?

West Germany were the first European side to lift the trophy.

Hardly 90 days are left for the FIFA World Cup to begin. This will be the 22nd edition of the prestigious event. Only twice have the World Cup not taken place – 1942 and 1946, due to the World War II. This time the competition will be held in Qatar, Asia.

However, even though an Asian country is hosting the event, a nation from the continent is yet to win the World Cup. South Korea went the closest to the trophy (semi-finals), back in 2002, when the event was held jointly in the country itself with Japan as co-hosts.

Similarly, Africa is yet to see a potential semi-finalist in the competition. Quarter-finals are the best that the continent has achieved. Undoubtedly, Cameroon have remained as the strongest African side. They have participated seven times in the event. Meanwhile, the very first African participant of the World Cup, Egypt (1934) have played in the competition only thrice.

Let’s see which continents have won the most World Cups.

South America – 10

Needless of mention, Brazil are the most successful side in the FIFA World Cup. They have lifted the trophy for a record five times. No other team from the Southern part of America has been so successful. Adding to this, Brazilian legend Pele has himself been part of three World Cup triumphs (1958, 1962 and 1970).

Apart from Brazil, the other two winners are Argentina and Uruguay. Both countries have won the competition twice. Argentina first won it back in 1978, under the leadership of Daniel Passarella. The second triumph needs no mention. None other than the great Diego Maradona and his boys embraced the accolade in 1986.

Uruguay meanwhile, won the World Cup back in 1930 and 1950. Both editions saw them defeat fellow South American countries, Argentina (1930) and Brazil (1950). Albiceleste won their third World Cup in 2022 after defeating France on penalties 4-2 after an exhilarating 3-3 scoreline in normal time.

Europe – 12

European supremacy has been at its best in modern-day football! The last time a non-European country lifted the trophy was way back in 2002. Among the European countries, Germany and Italy are the nations who have lifted the trophy on four occasions each.

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Notably, Italy are the only European country to lift the FIFA World Cup two consecutive times (1934 and 1938). This success came under the tutelage of Vittorio Pozzo, who is the only coach to win two successive World Cups. The Azzuris later won the trophy in 1982 and 2006. Unfortunately, Italy haven't earned qualification to this year's event.

Germany last lifted the World Cup in 2014. The same edition remained witness to how they demolished South American giants Brazil to a 7-1 defeat. Previously, the country was divided into two halves – East Germany and West Germany. Notably, West Germany were the first European side to lift the World Cup back in 1954, after defeating Hungary 3-2 in the grand finale. In 1974, they won it again; this time on home soil. As West Germany, they last lifted the trophy in 1990, when it was held in Italy.

The other teams who have won the prestigious silverware are defending champions France (twice – 1998 and 2018), Spain (2010) and England (1966).