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5 groups with most semi-final appearances in FIFA World Cup historical past

In picture: Argentina (left)


Argentina, Croatia, Morocco, and France are the 4 finalists of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Every workforce has fought tooth and nail to get right here, beating some glorious groups within the course of.

Going so deep into the event requires unmatched dedication and enviable high quality, which is why solely a handful of countries have managed to qualify for the semi-finals a number of occasions. At the moment, we’ll check out 5 nations which were serial semi-finalists in World Cup historical past. Listed below are the highest 5 nations with the best variety of semi-final appearances on the FIFA World Cup:

Stats: Transfermarkt


#5 Argentina – 5 appearances

Netherlands v Argentina: Quarter Final - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Netherlands v Argentina: Quarter Closing – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Two-time world champions Argentina will play of their fifth FIFA World Cup semi-final once they meet Croatia on the Lusail Iconic Stadium on 13 December. Argentina, who’re competing of their 18th World Cup in Qatar, will compete of their sixth closing in the event that they overcome the Croats on Tuesday.

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La Albicelste, who beat Netherlands 4-3 on penalties (2-2 after additional time) in final week’s quarter-final, beforehand certified for the semi-finals eight years prior, in Brazil. They performed out a goalless draw with the Dutch within the semi-finals earlier than beating them 4-2 on penalties. La Albiceleste, nevertheless, didn’t take the ultimate step, dropping 1-0 to Germany within the closing.


#4 France – 7 appearances

England v France: Quarter Final - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
England v France: Quarter Closing – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Defending world champions France, who’ve appeared in 16 editions of the FIFA World Cup, have certified for seven semi-finals. One of many closing 4 groups of the Qatar World Cup, Les Bleus received three of their earlier six semis. France, who beat England 2-1 within the quarter-finals, should overcome Morocco on 14 December to make it to their fourth World Cup closing.

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France’s earlier semi-final look, in fact, got here in 2018. They went up in opposition to Belgium on the Krestovsky Stadium and secured a slender 1-0 victory over them. France then took on Croatia within the closing and picked up a 4-2 victory to seal their second World Cup.


#3 Italy – 7 appearances

Final Italy v France - World Cup 2006
Closing Italy v France – World Cup 2006

Italy, who’ve received the event a whopping 4 occasions, have participated within the 18 editions of the FIFA World Cup, enjoying in seven semi-finals. In these seven semi-finals, they’ve come out on prime on six events, which fits on to point out how effectively they play within the closing levels of the World Cup. Their solely semi-final defeat got here in opposition to Argentina in 1990. They misplaced the sport 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate on the finish of additional time.

Italy’s final semi-final look got here in 2006. They beat Germany 2-0 in additional time to arrange a mouth-watering closing in opposition to France. French legend Zinedine Zidane noticed a pink card for his headbutt on Marco Materazzi earlier than the match (1-1 after additional time) went into penalties. The Azzurri got here out on prime within the shootout, beating France 4-3, and lifting their fourth World Cup.

They have been knocked out within the group stage in 2010 and didn’t qualify for the principle occasion in 2018 and 2022.


#2 Brazil – 8 appearances

Croatia v Brazil: Quarter Final - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Croatia v Brazil: Quarter Closing – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Report five-time world champions Brazil have performed in each iteration (22) of the FIFA World Cup, reaching the final-four eight occasions. Impressively, they received seven of the eight semi-finals, with their solely defeat coming in opposition to Germany eight years in the past in 2014.

Brazil’s final semi-final look, which additionally marked their worst show at a FIFA World Cup, got here in opposition to Germany in 2014. Selecao have been massacred by the environment friendly Germans on the Mineirao Stadium in Brazil, falling to a shambolic 7-1 defeat.

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Canarinho have fallen early within the final two editions of the World Cup. In 2018, they have been crushed 2-1 by Belgium within the quarter-finals. This 12 months in Qatar, Croatia obtained the higher of them on penalties, securing a 4-2 win within the shootout after the sport completed 1-1 on the finish of additional time.


#1 Germany – 12 appearances

Spain v Germany: Group E - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Spain v Germany: Group E – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

4-time world champions Germany have appeared in 20 editions of the FIFA World Cup, reaching the semi-finals on 12 events. They’ve come out on prime in eight of the 12 semi-finals they’ve participated in. Their file makes them essentially the most constant workforce within the historical past of the event.

Germany’s final semi-final look, in fact, got here in 2014. Die Mannschaft took on five-time winners Brazil on the Mineirao Stadium and inflicted a historic 7-1 defeat upon them. They confronted one other South American large, Argentina, within the closing, and as soon as once more got here out on prime. Mario Gotze scored within the 113th minute to take them to their fourth World Cup.

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Germany have been notably disappointing within the final two iterations of the FIFA World Cup. In 2018, they completed fourth in Group F with three factors and have been eradicated. They picked up a degree extra on the Qatar World Cup however the end result didn’t change. Ending behind second-placed Spain on purpose distinction, they have been knocked out of the event.

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Edited by Sushan Chakraborty