World Cup history
All World Cup Winners (1930–2022)
There have been 22 FIFA World Cups between 1930 and 2022, won by eight different countries. Uruguay won the first in 1930; Argentina are the current champions after 2022. Below is the complete list with hosts and runners-up.
Full list of World Cup winners
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Uruguay | Argentina | Uruguay |
| 1934 | Italy | Czechoslovakia | Italy |
| 1938 | Italy | Hungary | France |
| 1950 | Uruguay | Brazil | Brazil |
| 1954 | West Germany | Hungary | Switzerland |
| 1958 | Brazil | Sweden | Sweden |
| 1962 | Brazil | Czechoslovakia | Chile |
| 1966 | England | West Germany | England |
| 1970 | Brazil | Italy | Mexico |
| 1974 | West Germany | Netherlands | West Germany |
| 1978 | Argentina | Netherlands | Argentina |
| 1982 | Italy | West Germany | Spain |
| 1986 | Argentina | West Germany | Mexico |
| 1990 | West Germany | Argentina | Italy |
| 1994 | Brazil | Italy | United States |
| 1998 | France | Brazil | France |
| 2002 | Brazil | Germany | South Korea / Japan |
| 2006 | Italy | France | Germany |
| 2010 | Spain | Netherlands | South Africa |
| 2014 | Germany | Argentina | Brazil |
| 2018 | France | Croatia | Russia |
| 2022 | Argentina | France | Qatar |
The eight winning nations
Only eight countries have ever lifted the trophy: Brazil (5), Germany and Italy (4 each), Argentina (3), Uruguay and France (2 each), and England and Spain (1 each). No team from outside Europe or South America has ever won.
Why some years are missing
There were no tournaments in 1942 or 1946 — both were cancelled because of the Second World War. The World Cup has been held every four years since resuming in 1950.
Can you name the winners without the table?
Reading the list is easy; recalling it under pressure is not. Our free World Cup Fan Challenge turns this history into a quick 25-question test and ranks your score against other fans.
Quick Answers
Who won the first World Cup?
Uruguay, in 1930.
How many countries have won it?
Eight.
Why was there no World Cup in 1942 or 1946?
Both were cancelled due to World War II.