Only eight teams have successfully lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy since the inaugural World Cup took place in 1930. Five of those winners have been European whilst the remaining three hailed from South America.
Brazil are the most decorated side, clinching five titles, but they haven't been victorious since the 2002 staging of the event whilst Germany are the current holders following their success in 2014. We take a look at which of these triumphant teams would prevail if each of these teams were to face one another in a winner's winner tournament.
Brazil (2002)
The Selecao's first success arrived in 1958 and more domination soon followed. They also lifted the trophy in 1962, 1970, 1994 and most recently in 2002.
In the process of Brazil wrapping up their fifth World Cup title, Ronaldo proved unplayable, notching eight goals throughout the tournament and taking the Golden Boot in the process. They hit 11 goals throughout the group stage, finishing with maximum points at the summit of Group C.
Rivaldo and Ronaldinho both played a huge part in helping Brazil reach their zenith with an impressive supporting cast of Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Denilson. A side filled with such attacking verve can often be susceptible at the back but Luiz Felipe Scolari managed to guide his side to three clean sheets from four in the knock-out stage.
Brazil would prove difficult to stop in the winner's winner tournament with very few sides likely to find a way to contain a confident Ronaldo whilst the Cafu/Roberto Carlos combination would provide endless ammunition.
Tite's side were the first team to officially qualify for the 2018 World Cup and have been playing with a confident swagger. They've been installed as 5/1 joint-favourites for the tournament with 888Sport.
Spain (2010)
Vincente Del Bosque led Spain to success in 2010 claiming their only title to date. A hugely talented squad featuring many Barcelona and Real Madrid players (two sides who had been dominating European football) lost their opening match to Switzerland but that defeat proved academic as they bounced back in perfect style.
Whilst the likes of David Villa and Fernando Torres provided plenty of firepower to the squad, they weren't renowned for high scoring games and only fired in eight goals during the tournament. Carlos Puyol led by example at the back with Spain keeping four successive clean sheets during the knock-out stage whilst Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Silva provided style and flair in the middle of the park.
Whilst many football fans were left salivating at the Spanish possession-based football, they conspired to miss numerous chances and with a measly eight goals, they may struggle to go all the way in the winner's winner tournament.
They remain a hugely powerful force in world football and have been priced up as joint fourth favourites at 8/1 with 888Sport for World Cup 2018 following a fairly trouble-free qualification campaign.
England (1966)
England's one and only success in the tournament came in 1966 in their own backyard. Captained by the irrepressible Bobby Moore, England beat West Germany in controversial fashion. They needed extra time to secure the 4-2 victory but their third goal was deemed to have crossed the line by the officials despite mass protestations from the visiting side.
Further analysis has shown that the linesman made an incorrect decision and it remains one of the most talked-about incidents in the World Cup history. The Three Lions beat Mexico, France and Argentina en-route to the final although the latter were amongst the sides who had struggled to acclimatise to long-distance travel.
England were known as the 'wingless wonders' due to their narrow formation, which helped guide them to success and whilst this may have worked in 1966, we're not convinced it would pay dividends in the winner's winner tournament where they could be easily exploited. Coupled with the lack of home advantage, England would likely fall short in this competition.
The current England squad qualified for the World Cup 2018 with ease and have been priced up at 20/1 for victory in Russia with 888Sport.
Italy (1982)
Italy have been successful on four occasions, but it's the 1982 side that left the greatest impression on footballing history. They were a tough team to break down as well as showing plenty of skill and exuberance in the final third. Paolo Rossi plundered six goals as Italy gradually warmed into the tournament following a slow start.
They failed to win a single game during the group stage which almost saw Cameroon qualify at their expense. In the second round of the competition, they ratcheted up the style beating South American duo Argentina and Brazil before going on to power past Poland and West Germany to clinch the title.
Rossi netted both goals in the final at the Nou Camp and they could prove extremely hard to stop at the winner's winner tournament. Italy risk falling behind if they make a similarly slow start once again.
Unfortunately, Italy missed out on qualification for the 2018 World Cup after losing their two-legged playoff with Sweden in November.
Germany / West Germany (1990)
Joachim Low led his side to glory in 2014, which included his side hitting seven past a beleaguered Brazil side but the 1990 squad featuring Jurgen Klinsmann and Lothar Matthaus just edges them out. This was the third title for West Germany and despite the tournament being deemed "poor", Franz Beckenbauer's side provided plenty of quality and were deserving winners.
They stuck four and five past Yugoslavia and the UAE, respectively, before seeing off England and Netherlands prior to a 1-0 win against Argentina in the final. Three players were named in the end of tournament all-star team including defender Andreas Brehme who netted three times during the competition.
This side always found a way of winning, although they had plenty of flair in their ranks and would go deep into the World Cup winner's winner tournament.
Germany are aiming to defend their title when the World Cup 2018 gets underway in Russia and are joint 5/1 favourites with 888Sport to make it successive triumphs.
France (1998)
France's success on their own patch was one of the least convincing successes in this tournament. Undoubtedly a fine side, they toiled in the knock-out stage and were helped by home advantage during the group stage.
Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Denmark were just about the easiest collection of teams they could have hoped for and they were hardly convincing against Paraguay just days later. They required extra time on that occasion and penalties to see off Italy before hammering Brazil in the final.
Lillian Thuram provided steel, whilst the likes of Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira were undoubtedly world class. They hardly set the world alight during their success though and therefore can't be considered for glory in the winner's winner tournament.
The current France squad is once again jam-packed full of talent with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba in their side and they are 11/2 with 888Sport for the World Cup 2018
Argentina (1986)
Two-time Champions Argentina deserve their position in World Cup history and their 1986 victory is their most memorable. Diego Maradona is synonymous with their success but they proved to be more than a one-man team at this tournament.
Implementing the sweeper system worked perfectly as they beat South Korea and Bulgaria during the group stage before easing past Uruguay, controversially beating England and seeing off Belgium and West Germany to clinch the silverware.
The inspirational 25-year-old Diego Maradona captained the side and proved the match winner on many occasions but he was complemented by Jorge Valdano and Jorge Burruchaga and they were a joy to watch. This side could go far in any tournament but they came up against plenty of substandard opposition along the way and may come unstuck in the latter stages of the winner's winner event.
Argentina initially struggled to qualify for World Cup 2018 but a Lionel Messi hat-trick saved them. They are joint fourth favourites with Spain at 8/1 with 888Sport for success this time around.
Uruguay (1950)
Uruguay have been successful in two World Cups with the 1950 success the most recent and notable of the pair. They beat Bolivia 8-0 in the early stages of the competition before triumphing over Sweden and Brazil in the final round of fixtures.
The talented Oscar Miguez netted five times whilst Alcides Ghiggia added a further four. The Penarol were all-conquering and were free-scoring and fearless in their approach to games. The fact that they beat Brazil in their own backyard and managed to silence to the Maracana gives them every chance in the winner's winner tournament.
Uruguay are a big price of 40/1 with 888Sport for success at World Cup 2018.
Conclusion
There have been some memorable teams over the years who have been victorious in this iconic competition. Whilst Argentina, France, Italy and England all deserve their place in footballing history, they are likely to fall behind the remainder of the pack here.
West Germany and Brazil would meet yet again for the final with the imperious Ronaldo netting the winner for his side to ensure they become the ultimate World Cup winners!
Final standings:
1. Brazil
2. Germany
3. Uruguay
4. Spain
5. Italy
6. Argentina
7. England
8. France
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
