Germany can eclipse Brazil as the top-scoring nation at the FIFA World Cup at Qatar 2022. Die Mannschaft head to the Middle East just three goals behind the Selecao in the top 10.
The two teams are by far and away the most prolific countries at the FIFA tournament over the past 21 editions. Argentina are a whopping 89 goals behind Germany for a place in the top two with their South American rivals, Brazil. Italy are the next-best European country.
Only Brazil and Germany have scored more than 200 goals at the World Cup across their previous appearances. The Selecao and Die Mannschaft are additionally two of the most successful teams. Brazil boast a record five titles while Germany and Italy have lifted four.
Brazil have not added to their decorated trophy cabinet since taking the 2002 title in Japan and South Korea. Germany, meanwhile, won their last World Cup in 2014 in Brazil, before France claimed their second crown at Russia 2018. Argentina last won a World Cup in 1986.
France will now look to defend their latest title at Qatar 2022. But Les Bleus can also move above Italy as one of the top-scoring nations at the World Cup. The Azzurri failed to qualify for the 22nd edition after losing to North Macedonia in the UEFA Path C play-off semi-final.
It will take a remarkable World Cup for another country to overtake Italy as one of the top-scoring nations. So, with that in mind, who has found the back of the net the most to date?
1. Brazil – The record World Cup champions head to Qatar as the top-scoring nation
Brazil head to Qatar as the record champions and the top-scoring nation at the World Cup. The Selecao have scored 229 goals over their 21 appearances at the FIFA tournament. The South American nation are the only country to have featured at every World Cup to date.
2. Germany – Die Mannschaft can become the top-scoring nation at the World Cup
Germany would become the top-scoring nation at the World Cup if they outscore Brazil by four goals in Qatar. Die Mannschaft head to the Middle East on 226 goals from 19 editions. They did not play at the 1930 or 1950 World Cups but have played 109 matches like Brazil.
3. Argentina – La Albiceleste have lots of ground to make up on the top-two nations
Argentina have a lot of ground to make up on Brazil and Germany as the top-scoring World Cup nations. La Albiceleste rank third ahead of Qatar 2022, yet have only found the back of the net 137 times so far. They have also only played 81 games across 17 previous editions.
4. Italy – The Azzurri could slip down the top 10 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
Italy are the second-best European nation behind Germany but could slip down the top 10 after failing to qualify in 2022. The Azzurri have hit home 128 goals over 18 tournaments in the past. They also recorded 12 goals en route to World Cup titles in 1934, 1982 and 2006.
5. France – 2018 World Cup winners can achieve more than defending their title
France can achieve more than just defending their World Cup in Qatar if Les Bleus hit nine goals. Didier Deschamps’ side go to the Arabian peninsula on 120 goals in 66 games over 15 tournaments. Les Bleus registered 15 and 14 goals on route to titles in 1998 and 2018.
6. Spain – 2010 World Cup winners are only one goal away from hitting triple-digits
Spain are one goal away from hitting triple-digits over their appearances at the FIFA World Cup. La Roja have so far struck 99 goals in 63 games over 15 editions with Mexico 1986 the 2010 champions’ most prolific campaign with 11. They only hit eight at South Africa 2010.
7. England – Harry Kane won the Golden Boot at the 2018 Russia World Cup
England head to the Qatar World Cup as the seventh most prolific nation and captained by the 2018 Golden Boot winner. Harry Kane hit the back of the net the most often in Russia with six goals. But the Tottenham Hotspur forward did not score beyond the Round of 16.
Kane also scored three penalties at the 2018 World Cup and he benefited from a deflected effort. Gareth Southgate will hope he is just as accurate from 12-yards in Qatar as England bid to build on their 91 goals at World Cups. The Three Lions have played 69 games so far.
8. Uruguay and Hungary – La Celeste can leave Magyarok in their rear-view mirror
Uruguay can leave Hungary in their rear-view mirror in Qatar to claim eighth outright as a top-scoring World Cup nation. La Celeste and Magyarok both currently boast 87 goals. Yet Hungary have not featured at any FIFA tournament since the 1986 edition held in Mexico.
Hungary’s record is skewed heavily by their performances at the 1938 and 1954 editions in which they made the finals. Magyarok struck 15 goals at France 1938 before losing to Italy. They then hit an astounding 27 shots home at Switzerland 1954 before losing to Germany.
10. Netherlands – Qatar to face one of the World Cup’s top-scoring nations in Group A
FIFA has drawn Qatar alongside one of the top-scoring nations at the World Cup in Group A with the Netherlands. The Dutch have so far found the back of the net 86 times in their 10 appearances. They have also lost in the final on three occasions without yet ever winning.
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