Ranking every World Cup, from worst to best

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17 Jun 1962: Brazil team group before the FIFA World Cup Final against Czechoslovakia played in Santiago, Chile. Brazil won the match and trophy 3-1. (Allsport/Hulton) /

Chile 1962

Rating: 6/10

Champions: Brazil

After Italy in 1938, Brazil become the second nation to successfully defend the title by defeating Czechoslovakia 3–1.

Host nation: Chile

After Europe had hosted two consecutive World Cups (in 1954 and ’58), officials claimed the 1962 edition should be held in South America or face a possible tournament boycott. FIFA awarded Chile the tournament, beating out Argentina. Preparations were marred when a massive earthquake struck the country in May 1960. Nevertheless, the Chileans organized a wonderful tournament and finished third in the process.

Best player: Garrincha (Brazil)

Known as the “Little Bird,” the Brazilian winger would score four goals and help lead Brazil to the title. His two-goal performance in the semifinals against Chile remains one of the greatest single performances by a player at the World Cup. Garrincha was sent off in the semifinals and should have missed the final, but Brazilian Prime Minister Tancredo Neves managed to get the ban overturned by FIFA.

Iconic moment:

This was a tournament marred by a series of violent matches between players, including the infamous first-round match between Chile and Italy, won 2-0 by the hosts. The game would become known as the “Battle of Santiago.” “I wasn’t reffing a football match,” referee Ken Aston later said. “I was acting as an umpire in military maneuvers.”

Quality of play:

Brazil came into the tournament as favorites and the Selecao did not disappoint. With Garrincha and Zagallo on the wings and Pele, now 21, in exceptional form, the Brazilians perfected their 4-2-4 formation. The attack was lethal, resulting in 14 goals (the most of any team that summer), and the two central midfielders (in this case Didi and Zito) ability to push forward made this team’s ever-changing tactics impossible to defend against.

Kits:

Brazil’s simple canary-yellow shirts/blue shorts remained iconic and the prettiest of the bunch. Mexico sported the home green shirts we are accustomed to seeing today, while the oddest of the bunch included Uruguay’s away red shirts/black shorts.

Miscellaneous:

This was the last World Cup not televised live in Europe, just predating the arrival of the Telstar satellite.

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