France are on the verge of back-to-back titles (Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
France head into today’s World Cup final with a shot at winning their third crown – but that is not the only piece of history Didier Deschamps’ side could make.
Having won the 2018 tournament in Russia, Les Bleus will win the World Cup back-to-back if they beat Argentina in Lusail later this afternoon.
But could France be the pioneers with consecutive World Cup wins, or will they be following in the footsteps of previous teams throughout the competition’s rich history?
Let’s take a look down memory lane to find out.
Has any team won the World Cup back-to-back?
The incredible feat has only been officially achieved by two sides in the history of football – underlining just how difficult it is to win the greatest prize in the game in consecutive tournaments.
France are the defending champions (Picture: Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Italy won the second-ever World Cup in 1934 by beating Czechoslovakia in the final in Rome.
The Italians successfully defended their title four years later, overcoming Hungary in the final at the 1938 tournament in France.
Brazil would repeat Italy’s triumphs towards the end of the 1950s, with 17 year-old Pele inspiring the South Americans to beat hosts Sweden in the 1958 final.
The Brazilians kept their hands on the trophy after the Selecao triumphed over Czechoslovakia in the 1962 edition in Brazil.
If France beat Argentina in Sunday’s final, they will become the first country to win the existing World Cup trophy back-to-back, with Italy and Brazil’s achievements coming when the old Jules Rimet trophy was still in use.
Uruguay won the gold medal in football at the 1924 and 1928 Olympics, which have since been recognised by FIFA as world titles.
Kylian Mbappe already has one World Cup trophy in his cabinet (Picture: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
If the Olympic games are counted, Uruguay have in fact won three global titles in a row after they won the first World Cup in 1930.
Uruguay did win the first two World Cups they participated in (1930 and 1950), having boycotted the 1934 and 1938 competitions.
More: World Cup 2022
West Germany reached the final of three consecutive tournaments between 1982 and 1990, but only won the last of their three visits to the showpiece match.
Incidentally, their win over Argentina in 1990 stopped the Albiceleste from retaining the title they picked up at Mexico 1986.
Up until 2022, only Argentina, Brazil, West Germany and the Netherlands have played in back-to-back finals.
Argentina vs France in the World Cup 2022 final kicks off at 3pm
MORE : When was the last time Argentina won the World Cup?
MORE : Who has scored the most goals at the World Cup 2022?
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France are eyeing the double.
