What is really a powerhouse? Fans from traditional participants of the World Cup, or in european cases, the EUROCUP, (this, because in Conmebol they don't need to qualify to a Copa America), are always bragging about how pwerful their NTs are, about their superstars (at least according to what the player gets paid), about how "in paper" sublime these teams can be. But the reality is that in every tournament only one team can call themselves: the Winner. Which teams can really be called Powerhouses? Those who are proven winners? or/and those that got "world class stars" (I call them in some cases: overpaid bums). We know Brazil is the main powerhouse currently, they won the last WC and recently just won the Confeds Cup rolling over powerful Argentina. Plus they have won everything (except for the olympic gold medal ). So, who else dares to call themselves a Powerhouse and what are their merits?
No, that isn't true! If a NT wins a major tournament without having a bunch of superstar players, it must be a fluke. I think the only ones right now are Brazil and Germany. Maybe Argentina. I do think there are other football powerhouse nations (Italy, England, Spain... etc)... but I'm just talking about the actual national teams.
Not a powerhouse now, but will always be regarded as one when every Euro or WC tournament comes along.
well i'd consider my country in the top 6 and we have won a world cup, we have lots of footballing stars so i suppose we are a powerhouse
Greece's triumph gives ordinary men hope. People outside of England considered the 1966 win an ugly achievement, but they won it fair and square also non south americans (with the obvious exception of brazilians and brazilian lovers), thought that in 1978 Argentina won the crown undeservedly. The greeks looked solid, and they beat without having to go to the penalties definnition, the best NTs in Europe, and they took care of the Guese twice in their on soil. So fluke or not they were winners but not a football power. Good point.
World Cup powerhouses? In my view there are four: Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy I look back at the last ten WC finals. Why ten? I know it's arbitrary, but it is a nice round number, plus they are the tournaments which were held during my lifetime. Which are the teams which keep showing up time after time? Brazil 4 times, 3 wins. Germany/W.Germany 6 times, 2 wins Argentina 3 times, 2 wins Italy 3 times, 1 win. 2002: Brazil-Germany 1998: France-Brazil 1994: Brazil-Italy 1990: W.Germany-Argentina 1986: Argentina-W.Germany 1982: Italy-W.Germany 1978: Argentina-Holland 1974: W.Germany-Holland 1970: Brazil-Italy 1966: England-W.Germany These are also the four countries which have won the most points if we add up WC results based on wins and loses. I suppose if we want to consider the really old days we could add England and Uruguay for sentimental and historical reasons. But Uruguay has faded, and England needs to make at least a couple more finals to stand with the big four. Other than that, France won one and Holland came close a couple of times, but they need to do quite a bit more to join the club. Everybody else is a long way away from consideration.
England of course. But also the Gyro-makers won EURO2004 deservedly, nobody gave a sh!t about them, Portugal overlooked them twice, neither the french nor the czechs thought they (the greeks) had a chance against them, and still the ultradefensive and horrible greek way, beat 'em up. Like it or not, powerhouse or not the Souvlaki boys are the current champs of Europe. Sometimes life doesn't seem to be fair.
Brazil Germany Argentina Italy Those are the 4 powerhouses, they have been every since football has evolved and still are today. Other teams like England, Spain, Holland, France, Czech Rep, Portugal, etc are all great too but they are not in the class of the Big Four!
Based on your definition, you could argue that Argentina's powerhouse status is a bit outdated. They haven't reached the final in 15 years and haven't won it in nearly 20 years. (edit) I'd say Argentina and Germany were the powerhouses in the 70's and 80's. Brazil is the only powerhouse since 1994.