The story of runner-ups of FIFA World Cup

1930: Argentina were the runner-ups of first ever edition of World Cup. But in 1934, they were knocked out from group stage.

1934: The runner-ups were Czechoslovakia, who failed to pass the hurdles of quarterfinals in 1938.

1938. The Hungarians were beaten by Italy in the final at Paris, but in 1950, they failed to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil.

1950: Brazil digested Maracanazo in 1950 and in 1954, the Magnificent Magyars knocked them  out in the infamous Battle of Bern.

1954: After the Miracle of Bern, Hungary traveled to Sweden in 1958, but were knocked out from Group Stages. 

   

1958: Sweden were the runner-ups in 1958, but surprisingly, they failed to qualify for Chile in 1962.

1962: Czechoslovakia were the runner-ups in 1962, but failed to qualify in England in 1966.

1966: Former West Germany were the runner-ups in London, but in 1970, Riva and Italy halted them in one of the best matches in the history of World Cup in Mexcio 1970. The Germans ended up with a bronze medal.

1970: A strong Italian side were thrashed by Brazil in Aztec in 1970 World Cup final, but in 1974,despite being the favourites, they were knocked out from the Group Stages.

1974: Astonishingly, Franz Beckenbauer, Vogts and Brietner stopped Johan Cruyff’s Holland in Munich in 1974. The Oranje came to Argentina with great hopes and reached the finals yet again, but sadly, ended up as the runners up.

1978: The runner-ups of 1978 Holland failed to qualify for the World Cup 1982. The glories of 70s were gone.

1982: Former West Germany were the runner-ups in Madrid and again reached the finals in Mexico 1986.

1986: Former West Germany, runner-ups in Mexico, reached the finals in Rome to take revenge over Maradona’s Argentina in Italia 90.

1990: The runner-up in Italia 90, Argentina were knocked out by Romania in the round of 16 in USA 1994.

1994: Italy were the runner-ups in USA 94, but in France 1998 they were knocked out from the quarterfinals.

1998: Brazil were the champions in USA 1994, but in Paris, France crushed them to lift the trophy for the first time.

2002: The runner-up of 1998, Brazil lifted the trophy in Yokohama and Ronaldo’s redemption was completed.

2006: The runner-ups in Yokohama, Germany, lost to Italy in a heartbreaking semifinal.

2010: The runner-up in Berlin, France were knocked out from group stages in a shambolic fashion in South Africa.

2014: Holland came to Brazil to break their World Cup jinx, but the runners-up in Soccer City, failed to pass the hurdle of semifinal.

Only Brazil and Germany are the only two teams who were able to lift the trophy despite being the runner-ups in the previous tournament.  

Thank You

Faisal Caesar