In part II, we conclude our series on the most succesful international teams ever. Which team ranks above all others?

Italy

By winning the European Championships in July 2021 in the final against England at Wembley Stadium, Italy once again proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in international football. Italy are the most successful footballing nation in Europe, apart from Germany, and they have now won 4 World Cups and 2 European Championships in their illustrious history.

The Italians are known for their defensive organisation and their mastery of the ‘dark arts’ of football. Offences such as shirt-pulling, simulation, tactical fouls, and other forms of gamesmanship are common in games featuring the Azzurri. To be ‘furbo’, crafty, is regarded not as cheating but as a skill. This skill wins games and tournaments and it would be a brave man who would bet against Italy adding to their trophies at the World Cup in Qatar next year!

Brazil

Brazil are head and shoulders above all their rivals and are indisputably the most successful nation in the history of the sport. To date, they have racked up 5 World Cups, 9 Copa Americas, and 4 Confederations Cup victories! When the casual fan thinks about football, they often think of this South American nation and their iconic yellow kits. Players to have graced the famous shirt in the past include Pele, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho!

More recently, Brazil lost in the 2021 Copa America final to Argentina, with Ángel di María netting the only goal of the game. However, going into World Cup 2022, Brazil have a squad that is capable of competing with the very best in the world. The focus of the attack will be Neymar. The PSG hitman will be looking for more success than he enjoyed at World Cup 2018, when Brazil were knocked out by Belgium in the quarter-finals. In the heat of Qatar, look out for Brazil!