Most successful international football teams

After Spain's Nations League victory last night they added another trophy to their cabinet making them one of the most successful international footballing nations ever. But their fans are not going to believe which teams are above them. We've ranked the teams on the basis of any international trophies they've won but the teams who have won the World Cup or have performed well in it are always going to have more value to their name.

13. New Zealand

In 13th position we've New Zealand men's national football team. Though they've not been that successful in the world cup stage, New Zealand has won the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) five times. They became champions in 1973 for the first time and then in 1998, 2002, 2008 and the last one was in 2016.

12. Australia

In no. 12 we have the Australian football team. They've also won the OFC Nations Cup for a record four times, respectively in 1980, 1996, 2000 and the last one was in 2004. Other than OFC Nations Cup, they've also won the Asian Cup in 2015 for the very first time since 2007. But their biggest achievements are ought to be the Round of 16 finishes in two World Cups, 2006 and 2022 respectively and being Runners-up in 1997 in Fifa Confederation Cup.

Australia is also home to players like Craig Johnson, Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Tim Cahill and many more who have made the nation proud in international stages.

11. Cameroon

The Cameroon national football team is also known as the indomitable lions. They've eight world cup appearances since 1982. Their best campaign was in 1990 where they reached the quarter finals of the World Cup. In 2003 they've been runners-up in FIFA Confederation cup. As per trophies, they've won Africa Cup Of Nations for a record five times.

Their top goal scorer is Samuel Eto'o and definitely one of the greatest Cameroon players ever. Arsenal's Lauren was also one to watch out for. And in recent times, Andre Onana, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Joel Matip have also made their country proud. They play in top clubs in Europe.

10. Spain

Spain has also won 5 trophies in total, but their impact on world stages is immense in recent times, making them one of the most successful international teams ever. They've won the World Cup against Netherlands in 2014 and the European Championship consecutively in 2008 and 2012 respectively, and 3 times in total.

From 2008 to 2012, it was regarded as the golden generation for Spanish football. They had won everything they could've win except the Nations League, which they went on to win in 2023, completing Europe and ending the 10 year long trophy drought.

Spain has given us some of the most prolific midfielders like Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Alonso, etc and with that the master of possession game, the tiki taka. It is arguably the best footballing chemistry ever.

9. Italy

The Italian players are one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced the game. They are a massive footballing nation and easily one of the most successful international football teams ever, they have won the World Cup for four times in eighteen appearances, last in 2006. They're one of the oldest footballing nations ever with Uruguay West Germany, Brazil, etc. They've also won the European Championship on two occasions, most recently in 2021, which was supposed to happen on 2020. They've six trophies altogether but their worth as a footballing nation is much more than that.

Italy has produced some of the greatest defenders of our time and are still producing players like Bastoni and Acerbi. They wouldn't let any ball pass or anyone through. They would save them with their lives. Some of those defenders were Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Giorgio Chiellini and many more.

8. Egypt

The Egyptian national football team is known as the Pharaohs. They've won eight major trophies, seven of them are Africa Cup of Nations, the first being in 1957 and last one in 2010 and the remaining one is the Arab Cup. In their five appearances there, they've been crowned champions only once in 1992.

In 2018, the "Egyptian King", Mohamed Salah guided Egypt only into their third World Cup which is an honour in itself.

7. France

The French players are one of the greatest powers in the footballing world. Over the years we've seen some brilliant talented French players who have brought glory to their country. Just like Italy and Spain, France is also one of the most successful international football teams ever.

They've won the World Cup twice, most recently in 2018 and was on the verge of winning it again in 2022, until Messi's Argentina stopped them from doing so. They've also won the European Championship twice, in 1984 and 2000 respectively. They've appeared only once in the Nations League Finals and the CONMEBOL - UEFA Cup of Champions and have won both of those tournaments in their first time. They've also been crowned champions in the Olympic games. And they also have two FIFA Confederations Cup trophies. This just shows you how great the France national team has really been.

Over the years we've witnessed some greatest french talents, some of those names are Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Michel Platini, Patrick Vieira and many more.

6. Germany

In no. 6 we have the European Giants, Germany. Between 1949 and 1990, separate German national teams were recognised by FIFA due to Allied occupation and division : the DFB's team representing the Federal Republic of Germany, commonly referred to as West Germany and the German democratic republic which was used to known as East Germany. In 1990 both were absorbed with their records.

The Germans are considered one of the most focused and consistent footballers ever because of their record in the international stages. They've been in the knockout stages of major tournaments more than any team in the world which shows how consistent they really are. They've been World Champions for four times in 20 appearances since 1934, most recently in 2014. They've won the Euros thrice, in 1972, 1980 and 1996 respectively. The Germans also have a Gold Medal in the summer Olympic Games. And they've also been crowned FIFA Confederation Cup champions in 2017.

Germany have created many great talents, one of which was Mesut Ozil. He had won the German Player of the Year award for 5 times. Some people referred to him as the "German Zidane", that's how good he was.

5. United States of America

The USA has not won the World Cup yet but they've appeared in 11 of them. They've won the CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup for a record seven times. They've won the Nations League Finals twice, most recently in 2023. They defeated Canada, 2-0 in that game. They've four Copa America appearances and their best performance was when they finished fourth. In 2024, the Copa America is gonna happen invNorth America, it would be interesting to see what USA would do in their home ground. They've also been runners-up in the FIFA Confederation Cup in their four appearances.

The USA football team have a good strong core of young players now if they can build upon it they might achieve something very big and can well be most successful international football teams ever.

4. Mexico

The Mexicans are also one of the oldest breeds of football players. They've been around in the world stages since 1930. They've never won the World Cup but has seventeen world cup appearances and have also reached the quarter finals twice, in 1970 and 1986 respectively. But in CONCACAF Gold Cup they're the best team ever, having won the tournament for eleven times. They've also won the FIFA Confederation Cup in 1999. They've won a total of twelve trophies, just three more than their arch rivals, USA.

3. Uruguay

Uruguay is one of the most successful international football teams in terms of trophies. They've won the Copa America for a record fifteen times. They were crowned World Champions in the very first edition of the World Cup and then they've won it again in 1950. They've come fourth in FIFA Confederation Cup and also have two Gold Medals in the Olympic games. Making them third on the list with nineteen silverware to their name.

Uruguay has created two of the most dangerous and threatening strikers the world have ever seen, namely Diego Forlan and Luiz Suarez. When they stepped on the pitch, they guaranteed goals and chaos in the opposition box.

2. Brazil

Brazil is probably the most successful international football team ever. Over the years they've produced some great football players who have mesmerised us with their skills. The 2002 Brazilian team was one of the best footballing teams in the history of the game. What makes the Brazilians so great? Their five World Cup trophies. No team has even won more World Cup titles than them. And the skill with which they did, it was magnificent. They have also won the Copa America for nine times. The Panamerican Championship twice and the FIFA Confederation Cup four times.

Some of the legendary players who've played in Brazil are Pele, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zico, Cafu, Roberto Carlos and the list doesn't stop. They were all skillful and decorated in their own unique way and when they played together, it was magical for the viewers.

1. Argentina

And the final name on the list is Argentina, top of the pile. The most successful international football team and the most decorated one too with 22 trophies. The reigning World Champions have given us two of the footballing Gods, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Argentina and their fans have always been derived by passion and their love for the game, which reflects upon their gameplay.

They've been crowned World Champions for three times, most recently in 2022. In their 43 appearances in Copa America they been able to win it fifteen times. They've also won the Pan American Championship once, the COMMEBOL - UEFA Cup of Champions once and the FIFA Confederation once.

No international teams has a trophy cabinet more decorated than Argentina and it simple makes them the most successful team in terms of trophies won.

For more articles like this.