1989 Copa América Final: Brazil vs Uruguay

Lore & Background

Brazil is the most successful national team in the FIFA World Cup, winning the tournament five times: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. It is the only national team to have played in all World Cup editions without any absence nor need for playoffs. Brazil was also the most successful team in the now-defunct FIFA Confederations Cup, with victories in 1997, 2005, 2009, and 2013.

Reader's Guide

Brazil's early history includes a first-ever game in 1914 against Exeter City, and they achieved third place at the first two editions of the South American Championship in 1916 and 1917. They won the 1919 and 1922 South American Championships on home soil. After a 27-year drought, Brazil won the 1949 South American Championship. The 1950 World Cup ended in the Maracanazo, a defeat to Uruguay. Brazil won their first World Cup in 1958, followed by titles in 1962 and 1970. The 1970 team is widely considered the greatest national football team ever.

Did You Know?

• Brazil holds the record for most FIFA Team of the Year first ranking wins with 13.
• Jairzinho is the only player to score in every match in a single World Cup (1970).
• The Jules Rimet trophy was stolen from the CBF in 1983 and never recovered.