France came tantalizingly close to becoming part of this exclusive club during the unforgettable Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup™ final. In one of the greatest showdowns in the tournament’s history, Argentina’s triumph in the penalty shootout denied Les Bleus the chance to retain their title from Russia 2018 and join Italy and Brazil as the only nations to achieve consecutive World Cup victories.
The Unstoppable Italians
Italy was the first team to claim this historic achievement. After lifting the trophy on home soil in 1934 with a victory over Czechoslovakia, the Italians arrived at the 1938 World Cup in France as the team to beat. Under the legendary guidance of coach Vittorio Pozzo, they were in the midst of a remarkable unbeaten streak that extended to 30 matches between 1935 and 1939.
This incredible run included an Olympic gold medal in 1936 and a successful defense of their World Cup title in 1938. Italy overcame Norway, France, and Brazil before defeating Hungary 4-2 in a thrilling final.
World War II disrupted the next tournament, and when the World Cup resumed in 1950, Italy’s ambitions for a third consecutive title were dashed with a group-stage elimination.
Brazil’s Reign in Sweden and Chile
The next team to claim consecutive World Cup victories was Brazil. The Seleção dazzled the world in 1958, with a 17-year-old Pelé playing a starring role in their journey to a 5-2 victory over host nation Sweden in the final.
Brazil defended their title four years later on South American soil at the 1962 tournament in Chile. Despite losing Pelé to injury early in the competition, players like Garrincha, Vavá, and Amarildo carried the team to glory. The Brazilians defeated Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the final to secure their second consecutive title.
Hopes of a historic ‘three-peat’ were dashed in England in 1966 when Brazil was eliminated in the group stage following losses to Hungary and Portugal.
Falling Just Short
Aside from France in 2022, two other teams came within one match of winning back-to-back World Cups.
In 1990, Argentina reached the final but lost to West Germany, failing to repeat their success from 1986, when Diego Maradona led the team to victory against the same opponents.
Brazil, reigning champions heading into the 1998 World Cup, also came up short in the final. Their dreams of becoming the first team to win consecutive titles twice were shattered by host nation France in a decisive loss.
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