It may have been four years ago, but the 2022 World Cup Final still lives clearly in the memory of many football fans. The breathless 3-3 draw, full of countless thrills and spills, eventually went the way of Argentina following a 4-2 win via penalties.

It was ecstasy for the White and Sky Blue, winning their first World Cup in 36 years. But France’s agonising loss represented a unique type of pain. France came extremely close to achieving a rare feat in football: becoming back-to-back World Cup winners.

There have been plenty of countries that have put together generational squads, such as the Hungary team of the 1950s or Brazil’s second golden era of the 1990s and 2000s. But the scarcity of back-to-back World Cup winners highlights the difficulty of maintaining that consistency and winning mentality over an eight-year period.

France’s current team represent a similar golden generation of stars, but they also back up the theory that consecutive World Cups are extremely hard to come by.

But which teams have managed to win back-to-back World Cups, when did they do it, and who played the leading roles in their historic triumphs?

Italy

1934 World Cup and 1938 World Cup

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The Azzurri may have fallen on hard times as of late, but football fans know that a rich record of success precedes the current crop of Italian players. And chief among them are the 1934 and 1938 squads.

Italy lifted the World Cup for the very first time in perfect fashion. Participating in their first World Cup, they bested Czechoslovakia on Italian soil, allowing Gli Azzurri to celebrate their first major trophy in front of their home fans. But the incredible victory was only the first chapter of an incredible period of dominance.

Aiming to retain their title, the Italians headed to France amidst a deadly vein of form. Led by legendary coach Vittorio Pozzo, and orchestrated by the prolific Giuseppe Meazza in attack, their second consecutive World Cup victory was in the middle of a near-30 match unbeaten streak from 1935 to 1939.

Italy overcame Norway, Brazil, and France at the 1938 World Cup, meeting Hungary in the final. Meazza played a starring role, setting up three of the four goals, as Italy won 4-2.

During their unbeaten streak, Italy also captured the Central European International Cup, the precursor to the European Championships, between each of their World Cup wins, as well as Olympic gold in 1936.

Italy’s hopes of winning an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup were dashed by the outbreak of World War II. When the next World Cup was held in 1950, Italy were eliminated in the group stage.

Brazil

1958 World Cup and 1962 World Cup

Brazil are synonymous with international football, so it is no surprise to see them holding onto a piece of rare sporting history. Brazil found success in Scandinavia in 1958, with the 17-year-old Pele, Nilton Santos, Garrincha, and Vava starring in Sweden.

After emerging from the group stage, Brazil beat Wales and notably overcame France, ending any chance of Just Fontaine adding a winner’s medal to his record 13-goal World Cup haul. A Seleção met hosts Sweden in the final, winning 5-2 to break the home crowd’s hearts.

Brazil’s second consecutive World Cup win was all the more impressive considering the adversity they faced. The South American side lost the talismanic Pele early on in the tournament through injury.

But the imperious Brazilian squad stepped up in his absence. Once again, Garrincha and Vava starred, sharing the Golden Boot with four other players. Botafogo striker Amarildo also made his presence known, contributing three goals — including one in the final, where they beat Czechoslovakia 3-1.

But the push for the historic three-in-a-row was over before it ever really got going. Arriving in England in 1966, Brazil won only one of their group stage matches, falling at the first hurdle. Losses to Hungary and Portugal condemned the holders to their first group stage exit in over 30 years. They did, however, win again in 1970, meaning they won three out of four World Cups during that 12-year period.

Teams Who Came Close

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France won 2018, lost 2022

France were the darlings of the international stage with their 2018 triumph, beating Argentina on the way to World Cup glory. Croatia provided the unlikely protagonists in the final, but France’s incredible firepower proved too much, with Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappé securing the win following Mario Mandzukic’s opening own goal.

As a team full of confidence, even a Lionel Messi-led Argentina would’ve felt like underdogs heading into the 2022 final against this impressive French team. But they were a match, and eventual conquerors of a team on the edge of history and at the peak of their powers.

But France may be buoyed by another piece of rarely repeated history. A third consecutive World Cup final in 2026, regardless of the result, would see them join two legendary international teams in the record books. Firstly, West Germany’s 1982-1990 squad. And secondly, Brazil’s 1994-2002 squad, spearheaded by Cafu, the only man to have featured in three World Cup finals.

Brazil won in 1994, lost in 1998, won in 2002

As noted, the Brazil team of the 1990s into the 2000s was one of the greatest World Cup competitors of all time and they went close to repeating the feat of their 1950s and ’60s forebears. Having clinched their first world title in 24 years when they won in the USA in 1994, Brazil reached the final again in 1998. Despite being heavy favourites, it was the host nation France who triumphed on the day, with controversy surrounding the wellbeing of Ronaldo clouding the occasion. The Selecao put those painful memories to bed four years later by winning the 2002 edition.

West Germany lost 1982 and 1986, won 1990

West Germany’s impressive 1980s side lost in back-to-back finals in 1982 and 1986. After losing 3-1 in the final to Italy in 1982, West German hearts were broken once more by a Diego Maradona-starring Argentina side in 1986. After fighting back from 2-0 down, West Germany conceded the winner with seven minutes to go to finish runners-up once again.

But never a team to give up, they did eventually put their World Cup ghosts to rest in 1990. West Germany got revenge for 1986, beating Argentina in a repeat of the previous final. In a heated match that saw two Argentinian players sent off, West Germany’s Andreas Brehme decided the fixture with a successful penalty in the 85th minute. It was the game’s only goal.

Netherlands lost two finals in 1974 & 1978

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Spare a thought for the Netherlands, who still await their first World Cup triumph after three final appearances. But none hurt more than those two consecutive finals in the 1970s.

The Netherlands’ “Total Football” era was in full swing, resulting in an impressive run to the final in 1974. And after taking the lead through a Johan Neeskens penalty, they relinquished the lead to goals from Paul Breitner and legendary striker Gerd Müller.

Fast-forward to 1978, and the Netherlands were in similar territory. Another final, another heartbreak at the hands of a legendary striker. This time the Flying Dutchmen were brought back to earth by Argentina’s Mario Kempes. The striker secured an emphatic Golden Boot with two goals in a final that needed extra time to find a winner.