National Team Appearances in The FIFA World Cup - Results of Defending Champions

Results of Defending Champions

Until 2002, defending champions were granted an automatic spot in the World Cup finals. Since 2006, they have to enter qualifying as well.

Year Defending champions Finish
1934 Uruguay Did not enter
1938 Italy Champions
1950 Italy Group Stage
1954 Uruguay Fourth Place
1958 West Germany Fourth Place
1962 Brazil Champions
1966 Brazil Group Stage
1970 England Quarter-Final
1974 Brazil Fourth Place
1978 West Germany Round 2 (top 8)
1982 Argentina Round 2 (top 12)
1986 Italy Round of 16
1990 Argentina Runners-up
1994 Germany Quarter-Final
1998 Brazil Runners-up
2002 France Group Stage
2006 Brazil Quarter-Final
2010 Italy Group Stage

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