World Cup: Which country has the most world titles ahead of historic 2026 tournament?
One country stands alone in World Cup history with a record number of titles.
The 2026 World Cup is drawing ever closer, with 48 teams set to head to the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico in a newly expanded tournament.
The full list of qualified teams will not be known until the inter-confederation play-offs decide the final two spots in March.
However, the draw will be held a few months earlier on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC.
The finals begin on June 11, with Mexico raising the curtain on the tournament, in which one country will be looking to increase its record tally of world titles.
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Which country has the most World Cup wins?
Brazil still hold the record for the most wins, having lifted the title five times.
They first did so in 1958 before successfully defending the title in 1962. Having been dethroned in 1966, the 1970 vintage reclaimed the World Cup in Pele’s final triumph with the Selecao.
It would be another 24 years before Brazil would taste World Cup glory again, beating Italy on penalties in the 1994 final in the United States.
Eight years later, Ronaldo and Co. emerged victorious in the first World Cup held on Asian soil, but the World Cup’s most successful team have not gone beyond the semi-final stage since.
Multiple World Cup winners
Brazil are far from alone in winning the World Cup on several occasions, and there are a couple of teams who could equal their record in 2026.
Germany have won the World Cup four times, last doing so in Brazil in 2014, when Die Mannschaft thrashed the hosts 7-1 in the semi-final before beating Argentina in the final. Germany first won the World Cup in 1954, repeating the feat in 1974 and then again in 1990.
Italy are also four-time world champions. The Azzurri triumphed in 1934 and 1938, before waiting 44 years for a third title in 1982. They added a fourth crown in 2006 with a penalty shootout win over France.
Both Germany and Italy have work to do to qualify for the 2026 finals. Germany took three points from their opening two qualifiers, while Italy are six points behind Norway in their qualifying group as they bid to avoid missing out on the finals for the third tournament running.
Argentina’s dramatic win over France nearly three years ago marked their third title, following triumphs in 1978 and 1986. France were denied a third success by their shootout loss in Qatar, with their victories coming on home soil in 1998 and in Russia in 2018.
Uruguay won the inaugural tournament in 1930 and prevailed again in 1950.
One-time champions
Only two teams have won the World Cup just once. England’s famous victory in 1966 remains their sole major tournament success, while Spain ended their wait for a world title in 2010.
La Roja beat England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final to win the European title for a third time.
And both sides figure to be in the conversation to go all the way next year.
Who are the favourites to win the World Cup?
Spain are the current bookmakers’ favourites to win the World Cup, closely followed by France and England.
Brazil are fourth favourites ahead of Argentina, despite the defending champions dominating CONMEBOL qualifying.
Nations League champions Portugal are well fancied to challenge to lift the trophy for the first time in what will likely be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final opportunity.
Germany and Italy are each in the top 10 favourites, along with Netherlands as The Oranje target a first world title under Ronald Koeman.
Uruguay are an outside bet to win the World Cup for a third time.