Another World Championship

Did you know that the world soccer champions are not even playing in the World Cup? That’s right, Uruguay, current holder of the “world title.”

You see, a bunch of soccer fans with a lot of time on their hands got to wondering: Who would be the world champion if the title were determined boxing-style, with a champion keeping its “belt” until it was defeated?

Starting with the first international match, Scotland vs. England in 1872, they went year-by-year through the entire history of international soccer to track the “champions.” The results are here.

The roster of “champions” over the years has included such unlikely world powers as Zimbabwe, Israel and the Dutch Antilles. And the United States briefly held the belt in 1950 after the famous win over England.

Uruguay seized the title in a friendly victory over Romania in May and held it in games with Serbia, Libya and Tunisia.

Perhaps the winner of the big Cup in Germany may face a rival claimant in Montevideo . . .

–V.M.

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Guest June 26, 2006 · 9:59 am

I tought the first international match started in like the 30’s? of course the english only started participating in the 60’s because they thought they were too good for international football.

Charles June 26, 2006 · 11:14 am

Some 15 – 20 years ago there was a Special Tournament with all the Countries that had won the World Cup. I don\’t recall the specific year nor the country where it was held but Uruguay won it.

I expected you to comment on that short lived Tournament.

Hasan June 26, 2006 · 12:01 pm

The Special tournament was held in Uruguay. All the previous world cup winners plus the Netherlands played. Uruguay won beating Brazil with their physical game. I remembered watching Maradona for the first time.

Charles June 26, 2006 · 2:14 pm

Hasan,
What year was it. I do recall this tournament but I was quite young. And do you know why they never had another one?

Jorge June 26, 2006 · 3:16 pm

It was 1980. It was named the “little World Cup” here in Argentina. (me was 3y.o.).

Charles June 27, 2006 · 10:52 am

Gracias Jorge. I was 15 years old. I recalled being the lone person screaming when Uruguay won. The sea of brasilian fans that were around, looked at me with murder in their eyes. It’s a good thing they were all family and close friends…

theDurk June 29, 2006 · 12:45 pm

Droll, really. The belt gets ‘stuck’ in certain continents for a while, and home/away matches are won by the second winner. And without a qualifying system for the challenger it gets crazy. But I guess that’s all obvious.