Ranked! The 12 best international sides who DIDN’T win a major trophy

David Beckham
(Image credit: PA)

The beauty of international football is that the World Cup still feels such a big deal because it only happens once every four years. But if you don’t win that? Never mind, there’s a Euros, Copa America or Africa Cup of Nations to compete for in between. Sometimes two. 

So while France in 1986 or Brazil in 1950 might have cases for being the best teams to have never won World Cups - they still achieved something. The Michel Platini-inspired Les Bleus cleared up at Euro 84, while the Selecao literally won the Copa America just a year before their Maracana meltdown in 1950, thrashing Paraguay 7-0. 

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Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.