Every time a host nation has won the World Cup
Only six nations have ever lifted the World Cup on home soil.
The last time it happened was in 1998. With three host nations competing at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, those looking to bet on the World Cup will want to know whether home advantage still matters.
Here's the full story of every time a country turned home support into a World Cup win.
Uruguay, 1930
The first World Cup was always going to have a host nation favourite. Uruguay were reigning Olympic champions and played every game at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo in front of passionate home crowds.
In the final against Argentina, they came from two goals down at half-time to win four goals to two. The following day, the Uruguayan government declared a national holiday. In Buenos Aires, fans threw stones at the Uruguayan consulate.
Italy, 1934
Four years later, Italy hosted a tournament clouded by politics. Benito Mussolini wanted the World Cup to serve as a showcase for fascism, and the pressure on the Italian team was enormous.
They still delivered, beating Czechoslovakia two goals to one after extra time in a final played in 40-degree heat in Rome.
Defending champions Uruguay refused to even enter the tournament, angered by the lack of European participation in 1930.
England, 1966
England's only World Cup win came on home soil, at Wembley.
Geoff Hurst's hat-trick in the final against West Germany remains the stuff of legend, and there is still debate over whether his second goal crossed the line. England won four goals to two after extra time, and it's still the only major international trophy the country has ever won.
West Germany, 1974
West Germany lifted the trophy on home turf despite losing to East Germany in the group stage.
They recovered well, beating the Netherlands two goals to one in the final in Munich. Johan Cruyff had been the player of the tournament, and many felt the Dutch deserved to win it, but West Germany's resilience proved decisive. It was their second World Cup, and Beckenbauer became a national icon.
Argentina, 1978
Argentina's victory in Buenos Aires came against a backdrop of military dictatorship and widespread allegations of match-fixing, particularly around their 6-0 win over Peru which eliminated Brazil.
On the pitch, Mario Kempes was outstanding throughout, scoring twice in the final as Argentina beat the Netherlands 3-1 after extra time.
France, 1998
The most recent host nation to win the World Cup did so in style. France beat Brazil 3-0 in Paris, with Zinedine Zidane scoring twice from headers in the first half.
It was France's first World Cup, and the squad became a symbol of a multicultural nation. No host has won the tournament in the 28 years since.
What happens in 2026
Three nations will carry the weight of home expectation across 16 cities in North America. The USA, Mexico and Canada all qualify automatically as hosts, but their squads are not among the tournament favourites.
History shows that home advantage is real, but it is not enough on its own. Six nations prove it can be done.
Twenty-two tournaments prove it is far from easy.
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