Which countries top World Cup podiums without ever winning? | OneFootball

The Netherlands top the list of nations to reach World Cup podiums without lifting the trophy, ahead of Sweden and Croatia.

According to L'Équipe, since 1930, 20 countries have stood on the podium, only eight have ever been champions, and the 2026 tournament will not produce a new winner.

The Dutch were beaten in three finals, by West Germany in 1974, Argentina in 1978 and Spain in 2010, and finished third in 2014 against hosts Brazil.

Sweden have three podiums but no title, losing the 1958 final to Brazil and taking third in 1950 and 1994.

Croatia match that record, losing the 2018 final to France. They took third in 2022 by beating Morocco, as they had in 1998 against the Netherlands, and Luka Modric’s side have stood on the podium at the last two tournaments.

Behind that trio, Hungary and Czechoslovakia each lost two early finals, while Poland finished third in 1974 and 1982.

Six others have a single third place, the United States in 1930, Austria in 1954, Chile in 1962, Portugal in 1966, Türkiye in 2002 and Belgium in 2018.

Among past winners, Germany have the most podiums with 12, split evenly across titles, runners-up and third places, ahead of Brazil on nine.

Source: L'Équipe