Qatar 2022 is nearly here, so HITC Football has looked at which countries have the longest active World Cup appearance streaks. England are on their best run of finals appearances.
This winter’s edition is the 22nd running of the FIFA tournament and is the 16th to feature the Three Lions. England first appeared on the global stage at Brazil 1950 after missing the first three held in Uruguay, Italy and France. They have since failed to reach three editions.
Playing at 16 tournaments, including Qatar 2022, places England joint-sixth on the all-time leaderboard for FIFA World Cup appearances. Gareth Southgate will now look to guide the Three Lions beyond Iran, the USA and Wales in Group B at the first held in the Middle East.
Only Brazil have appeared at all 22 World Cups after qualifying for Qatar 2022 as the top-ranked CONMEBOL nation. The Selecao will now look to win it all on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula their first title since claiming a record fifth global crown in 2002.
Brazil would have to miss the next two World Cups to offer another country the chance to match their record 22 appearances. Germany would also have to feature at the next four editions without the Selecao to match the South American’s record streak of 22 in a row.
1. Brazil boast the best active streak of FIFA World Cup appearances
Brazil boast the best active streak of FIFA World Cup appearances at 22 by virtue of playing at every edition. The Selecao are also the record champions with titles in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. They are also one of only two countries to successfully defend their crown.
2. Germany are enjoying their best streak of FIFA World Cup appearances
Germany will feature at their 20th World Cup at Qatar 2022, whilst also enjoying their best streak of consecutive appearances. This year’s edition is Die Mannschaft’s 18th finals in a row. They first played at the 1934 edition and have been at every tournament since 1954.
3. Argentina are enjoying their best streak of FIFA World Cup appearances
Argentina will play at their record 13th consecutive World Cup at Qatar 2022 and an 18th finals of all time. La Albiceleste featured at the first edition held in Uruguay back in 1930 and each running since 1974. They also won the title in 1978 as the host nation and in 1986.
4. Spain will feature at their record 12th consecutive finals at Qatar 2022
Spain will feature at their record 12th consecutive finals at Qatar 2022 after appearing at each World Cup since 1978. La Roja had only previously featured in two consecutive finals over four appearances before travelling to Argentina. They also won their sole title in 2010.
5. South Korea reach double digits for consecutive finals appearances
South Korea have reached double digits for appearances at consecutive finals by qualifying for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The Taegeuk Warriors made their competition debut at the 1954 tournament. But they did not appear again before making the 10 editions since 1986.
6. Mexico will feature at their 17th finals at Qatar 2022 on a run of eight
Mexico will feature at their 17th World Cup finals at Qatar 2022, which is also their eighth in a row. El Tri were among the 13 countries to feature in the inaugural competition back in 1930. But a run of just two tournaments between 1974 and 1990 interrupted their streak.
7. France will aim to defend their 2018 title at a seventh-straight World Cup
France will aim to defend their World Cup title from Russia 2018 at a seventh consecutive finals appearance. Les Bleus were never a perennial qualifier from 1930 to 1994, but have been a mainstay since hosting the 1998 event and winning their maiden title on home soil.
8. England have set their new record for consecutive World Cup appearances
England have set their new record for consecutive World Cup appearances after qualifying for Qatar 2022. This winter’s edition is the Three Lions’ seventh finals in a row and 16th of all time. Southgate will now try to build on a semi-final in 2018 by lifting their second title.
9. Japan continue their consecutive streak with the 2022 World Cup
Japan qualified for a World Cup for the first time in their history at the 1998 tournament in France. The Samurai Blue then hosted the 2002 event with South Korea, and have qualified for every edition since. Qatar 2022 will, therefore, be their seventh straight and of all time.
10. Portugal will target a maiden title at their 10th World Cup
Portugal will target a maiden global title at their 10th appearance at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this year. The Selecao are also enjoying a streak of six straight tournaments but they took their best finish in 1966 with third. They have only made one semi-final since in 2006.
Other countries with active consecutive World Cup appearance streaks
Switzerland and Australia headline the other countries currently enjoying active streaks for consecutive World Cup finals with five. Qatar 2022 is also Belgium and Uruguay’s fourth in a row and the third straight for Iran, Costa Rica and the defeated finalists from 2018, Croatia.
Qatar 2022 is a second World Cup finals in a row for Serbia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco, Denmark and Senegal. This year’s edition may also become the first in a possible new run for Qatar, the USA, Netherlands, Cameroon, Ghana, Ecuador, Wales and Canada.
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