Football's Aristocracy

International football has an aristocracy. These are the teams that tend to win tournaments. They are: Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, England and Holland. So how do they shape up in games in the World Cup since 1966? This table summarises matches between the Big Seven since (and including) 1966.

Do any other teams qualify? Not really. Spain would seem to be an obvious candidate but in all the years since 1966 they have only notched up 3 draws against Brazil, England and Germany. Romania have done better beating both England and Argentina and drawing against Argentina. Denmark have beaten both Germany and France but nobody else.

For me the interesting point is how well England has done. Surprising considering we haven't got to a final since 1966. Of course, if the table began in 1970 England would be down to seven points (10 if you include the recent victory over Argentina) but that would still be good enough to qualify them for the aristocracy.

So how come Italy do so well? Basically, because they racked up a huge amount of points (and games) in the 1978 and 1982 tournaments. Winning in 1982 certainly didn't do them any harm. What is odd is that since then their form has been very poor: 4 draws and a defeat. Mind you their form before 1970 was also pretty ropey.

It is one of the great sadnesses of modern World Cups that the aristocracy so rarely play each other. In 1978 (in a tournament featuring only 16 teams) the Big Seven notched up 8 encounters. 2002 could be a particular disappointment. Only two Big Seven matches (Eng v Arg and Eng v Bra) have taken place and there is only one more on the cards: a Brazil Germany final. Strangely enough Brazil and Germany have never met in the World Cup which is odd because one or other of them has appeared in every final but one since 1950.