South Africa 2010: Who Is The Best of the Rest?

The World Cup is the largest sporting event in the world. Every four years, for one month, people worldwide cease living normal lives and spend all day with the Cup on their mind.

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa is only one year away and people are already talking about who is going to hoist the Cup this time. Winning the World Cup is an honor that only few countries have.

As of right now Brazil has the most with five, Italy has four, Germany with three, Argentina and Uruguay both with two, and England and France have one. With these teams out of the way, which team is the best to never win the World Cup?

Looking back over the past few years of international play some countries have to be considered. The more obvious countries are Spain, Netherlands, and the Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslovakia). Some other countries that should be considered are Sweden, Hungary, and Mexico.

Spain has played in more games than any other country to not win the cup. In 12 tournament appearances they have played in 49 games. In those 12 appearances they have only one semifinal appearance in 1950 where they placed fourth. They have also won the Euro Cup twice and finished second once. 

Mexico has played in the more tournaments than any other nation but they have never made it to the semifinals. Hungary and Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslovakia) have both appeared in nine tournaments with the Czechs having played one more game than Hungary.

Both countries have also finished second twice. The Czech Republic has been to the semifinal of the Euro Cup five times with one championship and one second place finish. Hungary has three Olympic gold medals but no more prestigious hardware.

Sweden has played in 11 tournaments, 46 games, one runner up, two third place, and one fourth place finish. They have only made it as far as the semifinal once in the Euro Cup and have only one Olympic gold medal. They have made more noise then most on the international level, but I don't see them as the best team.

My choice for greatest team to never win a World Cup would go to the Netherlands. In only eight tournaments they have played 36 games, nine fewer games than Mexico in five less tournaments.

They have finished second twice and one fourth place finish, and also have one Euro cup win and four semifinal losses. A very talented team through the years, but they have no championship to their name.

A team can only get so close so many times. They can't go winless forever, but I do not foresee this streak ending in South Africa.