Ther is no doubt that the following countries (not ranked in any particular order) are cemented as the top 4 nations ever...but who is ranked number 5??? 1. Brazil 2. Italy 3. Germany 4. Argentina ??? Brazil would surely take the #1 spot, with Italy & Germany 2nd and 3rd (the order is debatable), and Argentina as the #4, but #5 is a tough one to claim...
Good question. Can Uruguay be debatable? They've won 2 cups, but they have fallen off big time. Can't believe im saying this but England? Creators of game, and 1 cup to their name.
We have a debate going on whether England should be #1 based on their results before the WW2. Please join us.... Meanwhile, I have no doubt on my mind that England is #5. If Holland can win a WC in the next decades, then, I will reconsider.
It should be England or France. Both have 12 participations, 1 title and played more than 50 games in a World Cup (25 victories each).
That is right, but I don't know if we should consider ECs as well, because then we can't compare european teams with south american teams anymore. If we consider EC then it should be Brazil Germany Italy Argentina France
France owned England in the last 25 years, but England 's record before the War is not to ignore. So I would say England still holds against France, depending how much weight we put on rercent record? If we lend toward the last 25 years, I would say France over England. Even Spain after winning the Euro 2008 should be at least considered as the 6th!!! They got two Euros and almost a perfect record for WC and European Championship Finals qualification. England got one World Cup trophy, but a very weak European record(one semi final appearance in the history of tournament). Furthermore, England missed Euro 2008, WC 1994, 1978 and 1974.
World Cup Titles England: 1 France: 1 Finals E 1 F 2 Semifinals E 2 F 5 Quarterfinals/Second round E 9 F 6 Failed to qualify E 3 F 5 Out in group stage E 2 F 5 So England is rather consistent, while France has many up and downs. EURO Titles E 0 F 2 Finals E 0 F 2 Semifinals E 2 F 4 Failed to qualify (all teams besides Germany failed there at least 4 times) E 6 F 6 Out in group stage E 4 F 2 With EURO France should get the better ranking.
I'd pick first France, then England. After them, I think it's confuse between Holland, Spain or Uruguay.
A toss-up between England and France. The French have both a WC and Euro under their belts, but both came as a result of one man(Zidane) who was very inconsistent, and on his off-days the French were a totally different team. England was probably the best pre WWII team(being discussed on this thread https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?=725241 ) and have been more consistent throught the years, but have only won one WC(with shady wins over Argentina and Germany.) Both have contributed great players(Banks, Charlton, Matthews for England, Platini, Zidane, Fontaine for France.) Either Spain or Holland would be ranked as 6th, the fact that neither won a World Cup keeps them off of 5th.
France IMO. If history is taken into such strong account to favor England then Uruguay (2 WC and several Copa Americas) should be considered as well.
I would go even farther and say with preWW2 results Uruguay, 1 WC and 2 olympics (at the time the defacto WC) and with their approximately 10-13 Copa Americas (if counting EC), would be fifth.
Nah. We were nowhere in international football prior to the 1970s, we don't deserve a top five spot even if we do win a world cup.
Based on this South Korea is #5??? This absolutely means nothing...a WC game is worth 1000 friendlies.
S Korea is at 5 because they get to play countless games against minnows. A modern friendly is largely meaningless, but that has not been the case throughout history which is what we are talking about here.
id go with france... they've won more than anybody else left... i know uruguay has won 2wc's but they havent done anythin in like 70 years..
Uruguay has definitely done more than England... I don't understamd why people would consider England for 5th place but discard Uruguay because of two old World Cups. Last time Uruguay won something was the 1995 Copa America... when was the last time England won... well, anything??? My solid 5th spot, at this point in time, would be France.