Four days are left for the start of the FIFA World Cup and the market of discussions is again hot whether this time the European dominance will be broken or not. For the last 20 years, European countries have kept their monopoly on the FIFA World Cup. In 2002, the last time a South American country outside Europe became the world champion was Brazil. Since then, European countries have kept Brazil and Argentina away from the FIFA trophy, despite being title contenders in every World Cup. When Brazil and Argentina, under the leadership of Neymar and Lionel Messi, come to present their claim in Qatar, then both countries will have the challenge of breaking the European dominance that has been going on for 20 years. Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay are the winners from South America
Most five-time (1958, 62, 70, 94, 2002) world champions Brazil and two-time title winners Argentina (1978, 86) are strong contenders to win this time too. It will be a matter to be seen whether these two countries playing fast and aggressive football can get ahead of the European countries playing defensive and technical football or not. Uruguay is the third South American country, after Brazil and Argentina, to have won the FIFA World Cup. Uruguay was also the first winner of the FIFA World Cup in 1930. Even in 1950, he not only won the world title by defeating the host Brazil 2-1 at the Maracana Stadium in front of one lakh 45 thousand spectators, but also did the biggest upset of that time. Although this time also Uruguay is challenging with footballers like Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, but it is not being counted among the title contenders. By 2002, South American countries had won nine titles against Europe’s eight.
Till 2002, there used to be a close fight for the title in Europe and South American countries. In the 17 World Cups held till 2002, nine titles were won by South American countries and eight titles by European countries, but after that the situation has reversed. So far, European countries have become world champions 12 times, while South American countries are hanging on to nine FIFA trophies. Surprisingly, in the four World Cups held since 2002, South American team Argentina has been able to make it to the final only once. In 2014, Germany beat Argentina 1-0 in Messi’s presence. Uruguay in 2010 and Brazil in 2014 reached the semi-finals. Both countries finished in fourth place. That is, since 2002, the FIFA World Cup has been completely dominated by European football. Messi, Neymar have not won the World Cup yet
England star footballer Wayne Rooney said in an interview to a newspaper that Argentina and Brazil are capable of winning the World Cup this time. Then this could be Messi’s fifth and final World Cup. He has not led Argentina to a single world title so far. He will give his all to win this time. At the same time, Neymar will also turn 31 in February next year. Experts are also considering this to be his last World Cup. He has also not made Brazil the champion while playing. Both the star footballers would like to end their country’s title drought. FIFA World Cup winners – South American countries
Four days are left for the start of the FIFA World Cup and the market of discussions is again hot whether this time the European dominance will be broken or not. For the last 20 years, European countries have kept their monopoly on the FIFA World Cup. In 2002, the last time a South American country outside Europe became the world champion was Brazil. Since then, European countries have kept Brazil and Argentina away from the FIFA trophy, despite being title contenders in every World Cup. When Brazil and Argentina, under the leadership of Neymar and Lionel Messi, come to present their claim in Qatar, then both countries will have the challenge of breaking the European dominance that has been going on for 20 years.
