2010 FIFA World Cup: 10 Greatest Teams to Never Win the World Cup

The World Cup is the stage on which childhood dreams are fulfilled and legends are made.

Pele, Maradona, Beckenbauer, and Zidane are some of the finest players to have graced the world stage but this isn't about them.

This is about all the nearly men. Those who came so close but couldn't quite push themselves over the finishing line.

These are the 10 finest sides that never won the World Cup.

10: Portugal 1966

It seems strange to think it, particularly with all their talent in recent years, Portugal do not have an illustrious history in the World Cup. In fact, this year's tournament will only be the fifth World Cup that Portugal have appeared in.

1966 remains the best finish Portugal have ever had in the World Cup. They won their group, which featured Brazil, and overcame a plucky North Korean side (who had eliminated pre-tournament favourites Italy) before going out in the semi-final to hosts and eventual winners England.

The Portuguese then went on to secure third place with a 2-1 victory over the Soviet Union.

The star of the side was undoubtedly Eusebio da Silva Ferreira. Eusebio, nicknamed 'The Black Pearl,' scored nine goals in the 1966 World Cup, making him the tournament top scorer.

Parodoxically, Eusebio as well as being the main strength of the Portugal side may also be the reason they aren't higher on the list as its often felt (perhaps unfairly) the other players in the Portugal side just weren't up to his level.

Eventual tournament winners: England

9: Italy 1994

Italy arrived at the 1994 World Cup in the USA in good confidence as one of the tournament favourites, having finished third in 1990 World Cup.

Somewhat predictably, Italy's strength lay in their defence. Italy's backline was made up of AC Milan's legendary back four of Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta and Albertini.

The Italians were not without flair, however, as their team featured the 1993 World Footballer of the Year, the 'Divine Ponytail' himself: Roberto Baggio.

Despite a slow start in the group stage, Italy soon found their feet defeating Nigeria, Spain, and Bulgaria to reach the World Cup final.

In the final, Italy played Brazil in a rerun of the 1970 final. The match itself wasn't anywhere near as exciting and went to a penalty shoot-out for the first time in a World Cup final.

With Brazil leading 3-2, Baggio stepped up to the penalty spot knowing he had to score to keep Italy in the game. He shot over the bar.

Brazil were world champions and the lasting image of Roberto Baggio, one of the greatest players to grace the game, was him ballooning a shot hopelessly off-target.

Eventual Winners: Brazil

8: Austria 1934

The Austrian team of the early 1930's were known as the 'Wunderteam' and went unbeaten for 16 matches between 1930-32.

They were widely tipped to win the 1934 World Cup and made it to the semi-finals before being beaten 1-0 by hosts Italy.

Italy's goal was highly controversial, with the Austrian goalkeeper appearing to be pushed over the line while in possession of the ball.

The referee's integrity was called into question, even more so when he officiated the final which also featured controversial decisions.

Rumour had it that he had been pressured by fascist Italian leader Benito Mussolini to favour the host nation.

Eventual winners: Italy

7: Brazil 1950

No one could believe it when Uruguay upset Brazil to win the 1950 World Cup, least of all the Brazilians.

Brazil scored 22 goals in the tournament including 6-1 and 7-1 victories over Sweden and Spain.

Due to the unusual format of the 1950 tournament, Brazil just needed a draw to win the World Cup and defeat to the Uruguayans on their own patch was unthinkable.

Some claim that to this day, Brazilian football has never got over the shock of this 2-1 defeat (though you might suggest that five World Cups later, they are pushing it just a bit) at the Macarena stadium on July 16, 1950.

Someone once said in an interview, it was the sight of his father crying after the 1950 'final' that inspired him to be a footballer. He made a promise that 'one day, I will win the World Cup for you.' His name was Edison Arantes do Nascimento, or 'Pele' for short. You may have heard of him.

Eventual Winners: Uruguay

6: Argentina 2006

In 2006 World Cup in Germany, one of the most fancied sides to win was Argentina.

A quick glance through the team sheet and it wasn't hard to see why. Players of the calibre of Zanetti, Veron, Messi, Crespo, Tevez, and Cambiasso made them formidable opponents.

They sailed through their group, playing mesmerising football. They crushed Serbia & Montenegro, who had the meanest defence in European qualifying, 6-0.

They seemed certainties for the final but as everyone who watches World Cup football knows, its rarely the early bird that catches the worm.

Argentina met a resurgent Germany side in the quarter finals and eventually went out in a penalty shoot-out.

Argentina weren't the only side who let themselves down in this World Cup however...

Eventual Winners: Italy

5: Spain 2006

Like their neighbours Portugal, Spain do not have a great record in the World Cup.

Every tournament the Spanish enter they are amongst the favourites to win, but they never seem able to live up to the hype and rarely make the impact they would like.

In 2006, early signs were good. They thrashed Ukraine 4-0 in their first match and were comfortable in qualifying for the next round.

Many tipped them as winners possible winners. With Torres, Villa and Raul leading the line they certainly had the firepower to do it.

In the second round, Spain would face their old enemy France who had struggled in the group stage. Spain bowed out meekly, losing 3-1 to France who would use the victory to buoy themselves to the final.

Eventual Winners: Italy

4: England 1970

England went in to the 1970 World Cup in Mexico as defending cup holders and many believed with a better side than the one which had triumphed in 1966.

The core of the '66 side was still intact (Moore, Hurst, Charlton, Peters) with some new additions (Allan Clarke, Peter Osgood). Confidence certainly wasn't something the team lacked.

Despite losing to Brazil in the group stage, England made it to the quarter finals where they faced the team they had beaten in the final four years earlier, West Germany.

England raced into a two-goal lead but were pegged back and eventually lost 3-2 after extra time. Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Bonetti bore the brunt of the blame.

If its consolation, they might not have won the tournament anyway. This was the 1970 tournament after all and Brazil were somewhat good then.

Eventual Winners: Brazil

3: Brazil 1982

The Brazil side of 1982 are a curious case.

Even though they weren't World Cup winners, they are still regarded as though they were. The Brazilian team even received a heroes welcome on their return to Brazil from the World Cup in Spain.

The names of Socrates, Zico, and Falcao are all certainly held in the same esteem reserved for players like Pele, Garrincha, and Ronaldo.

Reckoned by some to be even better than the 1970 side, Brazil were to eventually go out in the second group stage following a 3-2 defeat to eventual winners Italy in a truly thrilling game.

Eventual Winners: Italy

2: Hungary 1954

The 1954 World Cup was to be the cherry on the cake. It would confirm what many already knew to be true: Hungary were the best team on the planet.

The 'Magical Magyars,' with the legendary Ferenc Puskas, had thrashed England 6-3 at Wembley stadium. The World Cup was to be a formality.

It seemed even more so when it was revealed their opponents would be West Germany, whom they had beaten 8-3 in the group stages.

It was to be very different this time however. West Germany would emerge as 3-2 winners to claim their first World Cup.

Perhaps if Puska's 87th minute 'goal' had stood the story might have been different.

Hungary's lasting legacy though, was the innovative style of their football that is believed to be a forerunner of the 'Total Football' that was to become so synonymous with the Holland side of the 1970's.

Eventual Winners: West Germany

1: Holland 1974

Frankly, you could make a whole slideshow just about the Dutch national side.

How a country that has produced players such as Cruyff, Van Basten, Gullitt, Rijkaard and Bergkamp has never won a World Cup will forever remain a mystery.

In the 1974 World Cup, Holland were praised for their highly innovative style of play that had been dubbed 'Total Football.' This philosophy meant players were not restricted to one position on the pitch and were free to move about.

The 1974 World Cup final was not to just be a victory for Holland, it was to be a victory for Total Football, figure-headed by Johann Cruyff, who is in many people's opinion the greatest player of all time .

However, much like they did to Hungary 20 years earlier, West Germany were to spoil the party.

Despite taking an early lead, Holland were to lose 2-1 and Total Football would remain forever, frustratingly incomplete.

Eventual Winners: West Germany