‘To defend a championship’. These four words hold simple meaning for defending champions. Four words that are nightmarish for a four-year tournament called the FIFA World Cup. In the history of the tournament, the term defending champions is a term rarely used. Perhaps, it is the nature and competitiveness of the nations that play the sport. In other sports, the term defending champions can be used a bit more liberally. But, in the FIFA World Cup, it is not the case.
Consider these numbers. In the 92-year history of the FIFA World Cup, only two nations have successfully defended their title. Italy were the first team to do it in 1934 and then in 1938. It would take 20 years for Brazil to repeat this feat. The Selecao won the title in 1958 and 1962. Since then, very few nations have managed to come close to replicating this effort.
In fact, not just the nightmare of the defending champions. The FIFA World Cup has gained notoriety for being a curse for the champions. In the modern era, the fortunes of the defending champions have gone to the other extreme.
Dominance of the Azzurri in the 1930s
Italy was in the throes of massive change in the 1930s. Benito Mussolini, the Fascist dictator of Italy was in power. At the same time, the World Cup came knocking on the European nation's doors. Mussolini, Italy and football would give a lethal concoction that would leave football fans baffled in later years.
In a tournament marred by a lot of questionable decisions, Italy became the first European champions by beating Czechoslovakia 2-1. With Mussolini watching, Italy came back from a goal down to cement their legacy in what is regarded as a controversial World Cup.
There were few questions in 1938. Italy dominated proceedings as they went on to crush Hungary 4-2 to become the first defending champions. This would be the last World Cup that would be held before World War II. For Italy, they would not win for another 44 years.
The emergence of a legend in the 50s
Brazil was hurt in the 1950s. When they lost the 1950 World Cup final, the whole nation was in mourning. The Maracanazo, now known are the Maracana Stadium, where they lost to Uruguay in the final, left their fans scarred. they now needed something special to overcome the hurt. This was when the world was introduced to the brilliance of a 17-year-old who would become the gold standard for football.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, more popularly known as Pele, made his mark in the world of football in dramatic style. Excelling in futsal, Pele gradually made his way up and was one of the teenagers to look out for in 1958. At the age of 17, he had already created history by becoming the youngest to step onto the field in a World Cup.
Now, his exhibition of skills put him on a different level. In a match against France, he scored a hat-trick. In the final, Brazil were 0-1 down after four minutes. But, a master class from Pele saw him score two goals as Brazil went on to win the World Cup for the first time.
Pele had become the youngest to score and win the World Cup. The win in 1958 laid the foundation of a dominant dynasty in football. Four years later in Chile, Brazil won the title, this time in a dominant style. Despite drawing with Czechoslovakia in the league games, they managed to beat them in the final 3-1.
The fact that they did it without Pele showed the depth that the team had. Stars like Amarildo and Garrincha stepped up and made Brazil the second team after Italy to defend their World Cup title.
The curse of the defending champions
But since then, none of the champions have been able to defend their throne. In the modern era, defending champions have had to endure even more pain. In the last four editions, they have been knocked out in the first round itself.
Italy, the defending champions in 2010 having won in 2006, were knocked out in the first round. Spain, who won the tournament for the first time in 2010, suffered elimination in the first round in 2014, and the same went for Germany, who beat Argentina for the title in 2014 but were dumped out in the league stages in 2018.
For France, the nightmare could be repeated if history is anything to go by. In 2002, France were the defending champions after winning in 1998. But, the campaign was a nightmare for the French. They lost to Senegal and did not score a single goal in the whole tournament. Thus, France became the first defending champion to be dumped out without scoring a single goal.
Having won in 2018, France would hope to avoid a 2002 repetition.
One thing is clear. Any nation that defends a FIFA World Cup title is very special. It takes massive odds to achieve it.
