The 10 Greatest Teams Never to Win the World Cup

Winning the FIFA World Cup is football's ultimate prize, but history has shown that the best team doesn't always end up lifting the trophy. 

Injuries, controversial decisions, individual brilliance from an opponent or simply one bad day can derail even the greatest sides. Some teams changed football forever despite never becoming world champions.

Here's our countdown of the ten greatest national teams never to win the World Cup.

10. Croatia 2018

Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup Final was one of the greatest achievements in modern international football. Led by Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Ivan Perišić and Mario Mandžukić, a nation of fewer than five million people defeated Argentina, Denmark, Russia and England before eventually losing to France in the final. Their resilience and technical quality made them one of the finest runners-up the tournament has seen.

9. Netherlands 2010

Not every great team has to play beautiful football. The Netherlands of 2010 were organised, disciplined and incredibly effective. Wesley Sneijder produced the football of his life, Arjen Robben tormented defenders with his pace, and they came within inches of glory. Had Robben converted his famous one-on-one chance against Spain in the final, football history might look very different.

8. Belgium 2018

Belgium’s golden generation came closer than ever to winning the World Cup in 2018. With Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and Vincent Kompany at or near their peak, they won every group match, produced a dramatic comeback against Japan and eliminated tournament favourites Brazil in the quarter-finals. Their only defeat came in a tight semi-final against eventual champions France, before they beat England to finish third.

7. Portugal 1966

Inspired by the legendary Eusébio, Portugal announced themselves on the world stage in England. Eusébio finished as the tournament's top scorer with nine goals and almost carried his country all the way to the final. Portugal eventually finished third, but their exciting attacking football ensured they would never be forgotten.

6. Soviet Union 1966

The Soviet Union produced several outstanding international sides, but their 1966 team was arguably the finest. Led by the legendary Lev Yashin – still the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or – they combined defensive discipline with technical quality to reach the World Cup semi-finals. Featuring stars such as Albert Shesternyov, Valery Voronin and Igor Chislenko, they eventually finished fourth after losing to West Germany. Although they never lifted the trophy, the Soviet Union of 1966 remains one of the strongest teams never to become world champions.

5. Poland 1974

Poland were one of the outstanding teams of the 1974 World Cup, combining pace, technical quality and ruthless counter-attacking football. Grzegorz Lato finished as the tournament's top scorer, while Kazimierz Deyna, Andrzej Szarmach and Henryk Kasperczak formed the core of a side that defeated Argentina, Italy, Sweden, Yugoslavia and Brazil. Their only defeat came against hosts West Germany in a rain-soaked match played on a heavily waterlogged pitch. Poland eventually finished third, but many believe they were good enough to have won the tournament.

4. France 1986

France arrived at the 1986 World Cup with one of the finest midfields ever assembled. Michel Platini, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana and Luis Fernández combined intelligence, technique and vision to produce some of the tournament's most memorable football. They reached the semi-finals before eventually finishing third, falling short of the title many believed this golden generation deserved.

3. Netherlands 1974

Few teams have changed football as profoundly as the Dutch side led by Johan Cruyff. Their revolutionary ‘Total Football’ philosophy transformed tactics forever, with players constantly interchanging positions and dominating possession. They reached the final after producing some of the tournament’s finest football but were beaten by hosts West Germany. Despite the defeat, their influence on the modern game remains enormous.

2. Brazil 1982

For many football fans, the Brazil side of 1982 remains the most entertaining international team ever assembled. Zico, Sócrates, Falcão, Éder, Cerezo and Júnior played with freedom, creativity and joy, producing football that has become legendary. Their dramatic defeat to Italy in one of the greatest World Cup matches ever played remains one of the sport's biggest heartbreaks.

1. Hungary 1954

The greatest team never to win the World Cup. The 'Mighty Magyars' revolutionised football with their movement, tactical innovation and devastating attacking play. Ferenc Puskás, Sándor Kocsis, Nándor Hidegkuti and József Bozsik formed the core of a side that had gone unbeaten for four years, famously defeated England 6-3 at Wembley and demolished West Germany 8-3 earlier in the tournament. They led 2-0 after just eight minutes in the 1954 final before suffering one of football's greatest upsets. Had they won that day, they would almost certainly be remembered alongside Brazil 1970 as the greatest international team of all time.

Do You Agree?

Rankings like these always spark debate, and that's what makes football so enjoyable. Have we got the order right? Is there a team we've overlooked, or would you place Brazil 1982 above Hungary 1954? Perhaps you think the Netherlands of 1974 deserve top spot. Let us know your own top ten in the comments below and join the discussion.