Spain 1-0 Argentina (aet), Sunday 19 July 2026, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford. Ferran Torres settled the final 39 seconds into the second period of extra time, moments after Argentina had played out the closing stages a man light following Enzo Fernandez's second booking in stoppage time at the end of normal time. Spain are world champions for the second time, 16 years on from 2010, and finished the tournament unbeaten having conceded once in seven matches. Argentina remain on three titles, and no nation has successfully defended the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
Eight nations have won the FIFA World Cup since the first tournament in Uruguay in 1930. Brazil are the most successful with five titles, followed by Germany and Italy on four each, then Argentina on three and Spain on two. No country from outside Europe or South America has reached a final. The tables below list every champion by year and the all-time count of titles per nation, followed by the scoreline, runner-up and host of every final. Spain beat Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final to become the 23rd champion.
Every World Cup Final: Score, Runner-up and Host
The two tables above show who won and how often. This one adds the detail: the scoreline of each final, the side that lost it, and where the tournament was played.
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Host |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Spain | 1-0 (aet) | Argentina | Canada, Mexico and United States |
| 2022 | Argentina | 3-3 (4-2 pens) | France | Qatar |
| 2018 | France | 4-2 | Croatia | Russia |
| 2014 | Germany | 1-0 (aet) | Argentina | Brazil |
| 2010 | Spain | 1-0 (aet) | Netherlands | South Africa |
| 2006 | Italy | 1-1 (5-3 pens) | France | Germany |
| 2002 | Brazil | 2-0 | Germany | South Korea and Japan |
| 1998 | France | 3-0 | Brazil | France |
| 1994 | Brazil | 0-0 (3-2 pens) | Italy | United States |
| 1990 | West Germany | 1-0 | Argentina | Italy |
| 1986 | Argentina | 3-2 | West Germany | Mexico |
| 1982 | Italy | 3-1 | West Germany | Spain |
| 1978 | Argentina | 3-1 (aet) | Netherlands | Argentina |
| 1974 | West Germany | 2-1 | Netherlands | West Germany |
| 1970 | Brazil | 4-1 | Italy | Mexico |
| 1966 | England | 4-2 (aet) | West Germany | England |
| 1962 | Brazil | 3-1 | Czechoslovakia | Chile |
| 1958 | Brazil | 5-2 | Sweden | Sweden |
| 1954 | West Germany | 3-2 | Hungary | Switzerland |
| 1950 | Uruguay | 2-1 | Brazil | Brazil |
| 1938 | Italy | 4-2 | Hungary | France |
| 1934 | Italy | 2-1 (aet) | Czechoslovakia | Italy |
| 1930 | Uruguay | 4-2 | Argentina | Uruguay |
West Germany's titles in 1954, 1974 and 1990 are credited to Germany in the all-time count, in line with FIFA's own reckoning, which is why Germany appear on four. The 1950 tournament was decided by a final group stage rather than a one-off final. The deciding match, Uruguay's 2-1 win over Brazil at the Maracana, is listed here as the final.
Most World Cup Final Defeats
Germany and Argentina share the record with four final defeats each, Argentina having joined them by losing to Spain in 2026. The Netherlands hold the unwanted record of three defeats without a win.
| Country | Finals lost | Years | Titles won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 4 | 1966, 1982, 1986, 2002 | 4 |
| Argentina | 4 | 1930, 1990, 2014, 2026 | 3 |
| Netherlands | 3 | 1974, 1978, 2010 | 0 |
| Brazil | 2 | 1950, 1998 | 5 |
| Czechoslovakia | 2 | 1934, 1962 | 0 |
| Hungary | 2 | 1938, 1954 | 0 |
| France | 2 | 2006, 2022 | 2 |
| Italy | 2 | 1970, 1994 | 4 |
| Sweden | 1 | 1958 | 0 |
| Croatia | 1 | 2018 | 0 |
World Cup Winners by Year
| Year | Flag | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 |
|
Uruguay |
| 1934 |
|
Italy |
| 1938 |
|
Italy |
| 1950 |
|
Uruguay |
| 1954 |
|
West Germany |
| 1958 |
|
Brazil |
| 1962 |
|
Brazil |
| 1966 |
|
England |
| 1970 |
|
Brazil |
| 1974 |
|
West Germany |
| 1978 |
|
Argentina |
| 1982 |
|
Italy |
| 1986 |
|
Argentina |
| 1990 |
|
West Germany |
| 1994 |
|
Brazil |
| 1998 |
|
France |
| 2002 |
|
Brazil |
| 2006 |
|
Italy |
| 2010 |
|
Spain |
| 2014 |
|
Germany |
| 2018 |
|
France |
| 2022 |
|
Argentina |
| 2026 |
|
Spain |
World Cup Number of Wins per Nation
World Cup Winners: FAQs
The questions readers ask most often about World Cup winners, answered below.
Who has won the most World Cups?
Brazil, with five titles in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Germany and Italy are next on four each, Argentina have three, and France, Uruguay and Spain have two apiece.
Who won the 2026 World Cup?
Spain, who beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday 19 July 2026. Ferran Torres scored the only goal early in the second period of extra time, with Argentina reduced to ten men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time at the end of normal time. It is Spain's second world title, 16 years after their first in 2010.
Which countries have won the World Cup?
Eight nations: Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Uruguay, England and Spain. No country from outside Europe or South America has yet reached a final.
Does Germany's total include West Germany?
Yes. FIFA credits the West German titles of 1954, 1974 and 1990 to Germany, alongside the 2014 win, giving a total of four. Counting West Germany separately is a common error that leaves Germany on one.
Has any country retained the World Cup?
Only twice, and not since 1962. Italy won in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil won in 1958 and 1962. Argentina had the chance to become the third but lost the 2026 final to Spain. Spain themselves will defend the trophy in 2030.
Which country has lost the most World Cup finals?
Germany and Argentina, on four each. Germany lost in 1966, 1982, 1986 and 2002, and Argentina in 1930, 1990, 2014 and 2026. The Netherlands have lost three finals, in 1974, 1978 and 2010, without ever winning the tournament.
Who was the first World Cup winner?
Uruguay, who beat Argentina 4-2 in Montevideo on 30 July 1930 as hosts of the inaugural tournament.
For more, see our record of every FIFA World Cup final match, the all-time highest World Cup goalscorers, the full list of World Cup winning players, and every result from this summer on the World Cup 2026 fixtures and stats page.
