There’s no bigger honour for a player or a team than winning trophies in international competitions. The frequency of these prestigious competitions and the knockout nature makes it difficult for any international team to rack up trophies.
The FIFA World Cup is arguably the biggest honour in football. The tournament takes place every four years. Winning that trophy is the dream of every player and international team.
There are also continental trophies up for grabs. However, owing to the huge difference in quality at the continental level, only a handful of teams have enjoyed success in such competitions.
This year saw Lionel Messi finally win his first major senior international trophy for Argentina. That was the first major title for La Albiceleste since 1993, helping them equal Uruguay’s record of most Copa America titles (15).
Teams like Spain and France have enjoyed a lot of success in the 21st century. However, there have also been international sides that have outshone them in terms of trophies won.
On that note, here’s a look at the ten international teams with the most trophies thus far.
#10 Cameroon – 5 trophies
Cameroon have enjoyed moderate success in international competitions. Although they have made more appearances in World Cup finals than any other African team, they have gone past the group stage only once.
They make it onto our list with five trophies to their name. All of them have been Africa Cup of Nation triumphs. They first tasted success in the competition in 1984, beating Nigeria in the final.
Their latest win in the competition was in 2017. They are one of only two African teams to win the gold medal at the Olympics. They beat Spain on penalties in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Australia and New Zealand also have five trophies to their name, but most of them have come in the OSC Nations Cup.
#9 Italy – 6 trophies
Italy are the first European national team on our list, with six trophies to their name. Their success at EURO 2020 this summer was their sixth major international honour, the first since the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
They first enjoyed success at the international level in the 1934 FIFA World Cup. There, they beat the Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia at that time). They were again victorious in 1938, defeating Hungary in yet another all-European final.
For a nation with such a rich footballing history, six trophies at the international level seems a bit low. However, they were runners-up in the FIFA World Cup (1970, 1994) and EUROs (2000, 2012) twice.
#8 United States – 7 trophies
Unites States make onto our list, having won two trophies in 2021. The North American team have emerged as the best team in CONCACAF in recent years, with highly talented young players in their ranks.
They have won seven trophies to date. All but one of them have come in the 21st century. They have won the prestigious CONCACAF Gold Cup six times, including a triumph over Mexico this summer.
They were also the winners in the inaugural edition of the CONCACAF Nations League. They beat Mexico in the final, with Christian Pulisic scoring the winning goal in extra time.
#7 Egypt – 7 trophies
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The title of most successful African national team is held by Egypt, with seven trophies to date. Just like Cameroon, all of their triumphs have come in the Africa Cup of Nations. The Pharaohs are the most successful side in the history of the competition.
Egypt have not had much luck in international competitions. They have qualified for the World Cup finals just three times so far. Their last appearance in the competition was in 2018.
Apart from their Africa Cup of Nations triumphs, they have two gold medals at the All-Africa Games. They have also won seven trophies in several Pan-Arabic competitions.
#6 France – 7 trophies
Reigning world champions France have seven major international trophies. They have a very well-balanced squad at the moment, with world-class players in every department.
They did not win their first trophy until 1984. There, Michel Platini’s nine goals in five games helped them to the title on their home soil. Since then, they have won the EUROs once more, in 2000. They have also won the FIFA World Cup twice – in 1998 and 2018.
France have also lifted two FIFA Confederations Cup trophies – in 2001 and 2003. Their latest silverware was in the 2021 UEFA Nations League, where they beat Spain 2-1 in the final.
Apart from their major titles, they are also one of only two teams to have won the Artemio Franchi Trophy. That’s a one-off game played between the champions of the UEFA European Championship and the Copa America.
#5 Germany – 8 trophies
The most decorated European national team, Germany, make the top five. Die Mannschaft have won eight trophies so far, with all of them coming in major competitions.
They have won the FIFA World Cup four times, most recently in 2014. They have also won the EUROs three times, between 1972 and 1996, while they won the Confederations Cup in 2017.
Germany have been a force to be reckoned with in international competitions. They have finished runner-up in three FIFA World Cups (1982, 1986, 2002) and have reached the last four a record 13 times.
#4 Mexico – 12 trophies
Mexico have traditionally been the biggest name in CONCACAF football. With 12 trophies to their name, they are the most successful team in the confederation.
They have won 11 CONCACAF Championships (now renamed as Gold Cup). They are the only team from the confederation to have won a major FIFA trophy, emerging victorious in the Confederations Cup final in 1999 against Brazil.
El Tri reached two finals in 2021, but were beaten on both occasions by their fierce rivals, the United States, on both occasions. Nonetheless, they’ll hope to secure their eighth consecutive appearance in the FIFA World Cup next year.
#3 Uruguay – 17 trophies
Uruguay have won 17 trophies thus far, with only one of them coming this century. La Celeste were a dominant force in the early days of international football. They won the first edition of the FIFA World Cup in 1930 as hosts, and won it again in 1950.
They have earned the rest of their 15 trophies in Copa America, winning it a record 15 times. They were the champions in the inaugural edition of the continental competition in 1916.
Uruguay have won just one competition in the 21st century. That win came in the 2011 edition of the Copa America. Goals from Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan ensured a comfortable 3-0 win in the final over Paraguay.
#2 Argentina – 18 trophies
Argentina’s Copa America triumph over Brazil in the summer was memorable for a lot of reasons. It was the first major international trophy for Lionel Messi, who had taken his team to three finals before the competition. Moreover, it was La Albiceleste’s first major title since 1993.
With a victory over Brazil in the Copa America 2021 final, Argentina have now won 18 trophies. That makes them the joint-most successful team in internationalf football.
Argentina picked up their first international title in the 1921 edition of the Copa America. They had to wait till 1978 for their first FIFA World Cup trophy. Mario Kempes scored six goals in that edition as Argentina lifted the cup on home soil.
Diego Maradona was the hero in their 1986 title-winning campaign, scoring five goals and assisting as many. His infamous hand of god strike against England in the quarter-final is one of the most controversial moments in FIFA World Cup history.
#1 Brazil – 18 trophies
Like Argentina, Brazil have also won 18 trophies, including five World Cups. The South American giants have produced some of the greatest players of all time. Their rich footballing culture has ensured that the team has always been graced by top-quality players.
The Selecao first tasted success in the 1919 edition of the Copa America. In the 102 years that have followed, they have won the competition nine times. Their latest triumph in the competition came in 2019.
Brazil first won the World Cup in 1958, defeating Sweden 5-2 in the final. Their fifth and final title-winning campaign was in 2002, where they defeated Germany 2-0, thanks to Ronaldo Nazario’s second-half brace.
