The United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup, with the tournament’s kick-off right around the corner.
Football’s biggest event heads to North America, where the trio of co-hosts will hope to do their home fans proud. Even backed by fanatical support, it would represent a massive shock should any of the host nations emerge with the trophy.
Across the entire history of the World Cup, just six host teams have won the World Cup.
The host nations to win the FIFA World Cup on home soil
Uruguay (1930)
FIFA named Uruguay as the host nation for the inaugural World Cup tournament, and the hosts delivered by being crowned world champions.
Uruguay, who had retained their Olympic football title in 1928, sealed success after beating Argentina in the final. An engrossing final saw La Celeste recover from 2-1 down to win 4-2 at the purpose-built Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. It was a fine final between two teams who had dominated the tournament, each winning their respective semi-finals 6-1.
Italy (1934)
Italy ensured it was back-to-back host nation winners after lifting the 1934 trophy. The Azzurri became Europe’s first world champions after overcoming Czechoslovakia in the final. The Italians trailed until the final nine minutes of the decider, before late goals from Raimundo Orsi and Angelo Schiavio, the latter in extra time, sealed success.
The tournament was notable for defending champions Uruguay failure to attend, after only four European teams responded to their invitation for the 1930 edition.
England (1966)
England became the third host nation to win the World Cup after a memorable summer in 1966.
Sir Alf Ramsey’s side secured England’s first, and so far only, major tournament success, with the Three Lions crowned world champions at Wembley. An unforgettable final saw Geoff Hurst hit a hat-trick, with the help of a Russian linesman, as England claimed a 4-2 extra-time win over West Germany.
The British television audience peaked at 32.3 million viewers, making it the United Kingdom’s most-watched television event of all time.
West Germany (1974)
West Germany won their second World Cup title in front of a home crowd in 1974.
It marked a second German World Cup win, after West Germany had also won the trophy in 1954.
Helmut Schön’s side overcame a heavily-fancied Netherlands in the final at the Olympiastadion in Munich, despite conceding a second-minute opener from the penalty spot. Goals from Paul Breitner and Gerd Müller turned the final around before half-time.
The final featured the first penalties ever awarded in World Cup finals, with English official Jack Taylor pointing to the spot for both teams.
Argentina (1978)
Argentina became world champions for the first time on home soil in 1978, during a tournament clouded in domestic politics and nationalistic propaganda.
On the pitch, La Albiceleste were triumphant and inflicted a second straight final defeat on the Netherlands.
Mario Kempes became only the second player to win the World Cup, Golden Ball, and Golden Boot at the same tournament, and scored twice in the 3-1 extra-time final win over the Dutch.
France (1998)
France ended their wait for an elusive World Cup crown when hosting the 1998 tournament.
Les Bleus had reached the semi-finals three times previously, though had not qualified for either of the previous two World Cups before their maiden success.
Aimé Jacquet’s side beat Brazil 3-0 in the final, the joint-biggest winning margin in World Cup final history. Zinedine Zidane scored twice for France, with Emmanuel Petit also on target to sink the 1994 winners at the Stade de France.
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