Defending champions Argentina are one victory away from becoming only the third nation to successfully retain the FIFA World Cup after booking their place in the 2026 final with a 2-1 victory over England.
Lionel Scaloni’s side will face Spain in Sunday’s final at New York New Jersey Stadium, aiming to defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago.
Victory would see Argentina join Italy and Brazil as the only countries to win back-to-back World Cup titles.
Winning the FIFA World Cup is regarded as football’s greatest achievement, but retaining the trophy has proved far more difficult.
Since the tournament began in 1930, only two nations have completed a back-to-back World Cup triumph despite several champions returning to later editions as favourites.
Italy became the first repeat champions
Italy were the first country to retain the FIFA World Cup, winning successive tournaments in 1934 and 1938 under coach Vittorio Pozzo.
The Azzurri claimed their first title on home soil in 1934 with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Czechoslovakia in the final.
Four years later, Italy successfully defended the trophy in France, defeating Norway, hosts France and Brazil before beating Hungary 4-2 in the final, with Silvio Piola scoring twice.
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Italy’s hopes of chasing a third consecutive title were halted by history rather than football, as the 1942 and 1946 World Cups were cancelled because of World War II.
Brazil built a football dynasty
Brazil became the second nation to retain the FIFA World Cup after winning back-to-back World Cup titles in 1958 and 1962.
The South Americans lifted the trophy in Sweden in 1958, introducing the world to a 17-year-old Pelé, who starred alongside Garrincha, Didi, Vavá and Mário Zagallo as Brazil defeated hosts Sweden 5-2 in the final.
Brazil defended the title in Chile in 1962 despite losing Pelé to injury during the group stage. Garrincha inspired the team through the knockout rounds before Brazil defeated Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the final.
Their attempt to become the first team to win three consecutive World Cups ended at the 1966 tournament in England, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
Argentina close to joining elite company
Argentina now have the opportunity to become only the third nation to achieve back-to-back World Cup success.
The reigning champions progressed through the 2026 tournament after victories over Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the group stage before overcoming Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland after extra time in the knockout rounds.
They then defeated England 2-1 in the semi-finals to reach a second successive World Cup final.
A victory over Spain would also see Argentina become the first team in 64 years to successfully defend the World Cup, ending a wait that has lasted since Brazil’s triumph in 1962.
Several champions fell short
Several World Cup winners have attempted to defend their title but failed.
West Germany reached the 1986 final after winning the 1974 edition but lost to Argentina. Argentina themselves were runners-up in 1990 after lifting the trophy in 1986, while Brazil finished second in 1998 after winning the 1994 World Cup.
France also came close after winning in 2018, reaching the 2022 final before losing to Argentina on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
Spain, meanwhile, won their only World Cup title in 2010 but were eliminated in the group stage while defending the trophy in 2014.
Sunday’s final offers Argentina the opportunity to end one of the longest-standing records in World Cup history by becoming only the third nation to successfully defend football’s biggest prize.
