7 Most Successful International Football Teams

There are some unique and prestigious tournaments in the world of Football. Major International Tournaments are played rarely, making it important for the nations to capitalize on opportunities to win silverware. The more it is rare, the more it is difficult for the nations to win trophies. The FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious football competition is played between the best International nations from all around the world.

The European Championship is played between the top nations of Europe, after going through a qualification process. On the other end, The Copa America is the biggest football tournament in South America. These are some of the most important and toughest football competitions which are played between the National teams. In this article, we'll see the seven most successful International football teams in the history of the game.

Read Also: Football facts: Most Successful Nations in every Major International Football Tournament

7 Most Successful International Football Teams

7. France - 9 major trophies

France were very close to winning the World Cup in 2022, lifting the title for the second consecutive time but they were beaten by Argentina on penalties in the final. Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in the final but failed to lead his team to yet another World Cup victory.

France are seventh on this list. They have won the World Cup, Confederations Cup, and the European Championship two times. They have also tasted success in the Olympic Games and a Nations League victory in 2021 is the last title they have added to the trophy cabinet.

6. Germany - 9 major trophies

Germany's hope to win the Euro 2024 ended with Spain knocking them out of the competition in the quarter-final. They are trophyless for almost a decade now and this was a golden opportunity for them to lift a major title but it didn't happen.

Germany won their last European Championship in 1996. Their wait extends with their exit. Germany have the joint-most European Championships along with Spain but it seems like Spain will add another one to their trophy cabinet.

Joachim Low guided Germany to their fourth World Cup one decade ago when Gotze's strike decided the fate of his side against Lionel Messi's Argentina. Alongside lifting 4 World Cups and 3 Euros, Germany have also won the 1976 Olympic Games and the 2017 Confederations Cup.

5. United States - 10 major trophies

Surprisingly, the United States are fifth on this list. Despite not even winning a World Cup title, they are one of the most decorated footballing nations on the planet. Their best finish in the competition came in 1930, as the USA finished in third place. Back-to-back CONCACAF Nations League successes have helped USMT rise significantly in these rankings. They have won 7 Gold Cups and 3 CONCACAF Nations League titles.

4. Mexico - 14 major trophies

Mexico too haven't won a World Cup. They are far from the best among the other teams in this list in terms of quality but still are one of the most decorated nations in the world of Football. They have always played brave football in the World Cup but have missed out on qualities.

They lifted their first trophy in 1965 and since then, they have amassed a record 12 CONCACAF Championships with the most recent coming in 2023.

The only other two tournaments Mexico have won are the Confederations Cup, which they lifted in 1999, and the Olympic Gold in 2012. Miguel Zepeda netted a brace in the Confederations Cup Final for Mexico and helped his side register a thrilling 4-3 victory against Brazil.

2. Brazil - 20 major trophies

Brazil hold the record for the most World Cup successes as they have lifted the biggest prize in international football five times. Brazil won in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. One of the greatest players ever to play the sport, Pele, lifted the World Cup three times with Brazil.

However, they are still second on this list. The last World Cup triumph came over two decades ago in 2002. Since then, football fans have hardly seen Brazil do well in a major tournament.

They are still always among the favourites for international trophies, but they were a much more successful unit before the 21st century. Along with the World Cup, Brazil have also tasted success nine times in the Copa America, two times in the Olympics, and lifted the Confederations Cup four times.

1. Argentina - 24 major trophies

Argentina are at the top of this list with a record 24 International accolades. Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup in 2022, matching the legacy of another great Argentinian Diego Maradona.

Argentina won their first World Cup title in 1978. They had to wait 8 years for their second one but after waiting for a long thirty-six years, they lent their hands on their third World Cup title.

Argentina won their first Copa America title in 1921 and since then they have won a record 16 Copa America titles. They are the only nation in South America to win the Copa America title three consecutive times.

La Albiceleste were finding it very difficult to win the title after 1993 but Lionel Messi led his side to victory in 2021 after beating Brazil by 1-0. They played in the final of the 2024 Copa America and lifted the title once again under the leadership of Messi and a lot of credit should go to Lionel Scaloni, the manager who has revived the whole Nation and made them the best football-playing nation of the entire planet earth.

Along with 3 World Cup trophies and 15 Copa America titles, Argentina are also two two-time Olympic Gold medalists, and 1-time Confederations Cup champion, and have also been crowned as the UEFA Cup of Champions two times.