Ranking All Twenty World Cup Winners
By Josh Sippie
Top World Cup Winners All-Time: Number Nineteen – Italy, 1938
The initial three World Cups, while the foundation for something special, were also slightly tainted by the lack of transportation from different continents. The “World” was hardly represented in its “Cup”, but there was still enough competition to keep the field growing when transportation became more readily available.
1938 was Italy’s chance to defend their throne and, while they didn’t do it as conclusively as their 1934 initial World Cup title, their progress faced more obstacles.
The Italians had to get through a gritty Norway as well as France and Brazil before facing Hungary in the final. Given that it was held in France, it would be the first time that the host nation did not win the World Cup.
While Italy went undefeated, they scored only 11 goals, which was tied for third-most in the competition. It was defense that won the Cup.
Next: 18. Europe opens their account