1.
Won the World Cup the most number of times (5), most recently in 2002.
2.
Were defeated in a major upset by West Germany in the 1954 final, known as the "Miracle of Bern". Later achieved famous victories over England and Brazil in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups.
3.
Reached the World Cup final three times without ever winning (the best World Cup team to never win).
4.
Won the World Cup for the first time in 2010, sandwiched between two Euro titles.
5.
Captained Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, and considered by many to be the "greatest of all time" (GOAT).
6.
Another GOAT contender from the same country as (5), famously scored a wonder goal as well as the infamous "Hand of God" goal in the same quarterfinal match against England in 1986 en route to Argentina's second title.
7.
Brazilian star forward and GOAT contender who still holds the records for the youngest player to score a World Cup hat-trick and the youngest player to score in a World Cup final.
8.
Portugal's star striker in their brilliant run to the 1966 World Cup semifinals, who was actually born in Portugal's African colony of Mozambique.
9.
All-time highest World Cup goalscorer.
10.
Was the all-time highest World Cup goalscorer before Miroslav Klose beat his record in 2014.
11.
One of only two players to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final, notching three against West Germany in 1966.
12.
Apart from (11), the only other player to notch a hat-trick in a World Cup final, managing this feat in a losing effort in 2022.
13.
Never advanced beyond the quarterfinals despite a rich footballing tradition and a long history at the World Cup.
14.
Lost to a legendary Brazil team twice en route to an incredible third-place finish in 2002.
15.
Achieved a surprising runners-up finish at the 2018 World Cup and also finished third on two other occasions since gaining independence from Yugoslavia.
16.
The only African nation to ever reach a World Cup semifinal, doing so in 2022.
17.
The only Asian nation to ever reach a World Cup semifinal, doing so in 2002 on home soil (co-hosting the tournament with Japan).
18.
The only North American nation to ever reach a World Cup semifinal, doing so in the inaugural 1930 tournament in Uruguay.
19.
The first Asian team to ever reach a World Cup quarterfinal, doing so in 1966 in England, where they famously upset Italy 1-0 in their final group game before shockingly taking a 3-0 lead against Portugal in the quarterfinals before a Eusebio hat-trick re
20.
Defeated Johan Cruyff's legendary Netherlands side in the 1974 final on home soil.
21.
Defeated France on penalties in the 2006 final.
22.
Winners of the inaugural World Cup on home soil in 1930.
23.
Lost the 1934 final to hosts Italy, after a wonder goal from Raimundo Orsi.
24.
The star forward of the brilliant 1974 Netherlands team which unfortunately lost the final to hosts (West) Germany.
25.
Nicknamed after a Greek philosopher, was one of the star players of the excellent 1982 Brazil team that famously lost to Paolo Rossi's Italy in the second round after being considered by many to be the favorites to win the competition.
26.
Peru's star midfielder who scored 10 goals in two World Cups during the 1970s, as Peru twice reached the quarterfinals (or quarterfinal equivalent) in this period.
27.
French striker who still holds the record for the most goals scored in a single World Cup, notching an incredible 13 goals in six matches at the 1958 tournament in Sweden.
28.
Finished third in the 1962 tournament on home soil, the only South American team to reach the semifinals of the World Cup outside of the "Big 3" of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.
29.
Famously lost in the 1958 final on home soil, to Pele's Brazil.
30.
First African team to ever qualify for the World Cup, doing so in 1934.
31.
Colombian midfielder who was the breakout star of the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
32.
In 2010 on African soil was a Luis Suarez handball and a missed penalty away from becoming the first ever African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal.
33.
Won the title on home soil in 1978 over a Netherlands that was unfortunate to be missing the legendary Cruyff.
34.
The inventors of the game who surprisingly have only won the World Cup on one singular occasion, on home soil in 1966.
35.
The most successful team in the World Cup in the 32-team era, with two titles and a further two runners-up finishes.
36.
At age 38, scored four goals en route to Cameroon becoming the first ever African nation to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
37.
Was the first and only player to ever score five goals in a single World Cup match, doing so for Russia in 1994 against Cameroon in a match where (36) also became the oldest ever World Cup goalscorer.
38.
Often considered the greatest goalkeeper of all time, was a pivotal member of the USSR team that reached the semifinals of the 1966 tournament.
39.
Achieved a shock 4th place finish in 1994, beating Argentina, Mexico, and Germany along the way (along with France during qualification) before narrowly going out to Italy in the semifinals.
40.
Defeated Argentina, Italy, and Brazil (in the bronze medal match) to finish third in 1974, losing to hosts and eventual winners West Germany in the semifinals.
41.
Finished third in the 2018 tournament after a narrow loss to eventual winners France in the semifinals, marking the peak of their "Golden Generation"'s powers.
