The Worst Groups of Death in World Cup History
The World Cup: soccer’s most prestigious tournament that pits the globe’s leading nations against one another on the grandest of stages.
The competition’s knockout phase is generally when international behemoths trade blows in the fight for world domination, but occasionally the group stage throws up some tantalizing battles between heavyweights.
Each tournament, the term ‘Group of Death’ will be bandied about, with the unfortunate residents forced to contest a surprisingly competitive group at the first hurdle. They often contain at least two Goliaths—usually from Europe and/or South America—as well as several dark horses seeking to upset the odds.
Here’s a closer look at some of the toughest groups in World Cup history.
Deadliest World Cup Groups in History
West Germany, Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Northern Ireland (1958)
The 1958 World Cup in Sweden served up one of the most competitive groups in the competition’s illustrious history. Reigning world champions West Germany were drawn alongside an exciting Argentina team and traditionally tricky Czechoslovakia side, with Northern Ireland, who had knocked Italy out in qualification, seemingly the simplest opponent.
However, Northern Ireland sprung a fair few surprises, beating Argentina and Czechoslovakia to second spot and reaching the knockout round behind table-toppers West Germany. Their progression was hard-fought as no team won more than a single match and they needed to conquer Czechoslovakia in a play-off after finishing level on points with their expected superiors. They did exactly that to achieve a mighty upset.
West Germany, Argentina, Spain, Switzerland (1966)
Eight years later, West Germany and Argentina renewed their rivalry during the group phase, but things were made even more complicated for the pair by the presence of reigning European champions Spain in a formidable group. Switzerland were the unfortunate fourth side, unsurprisingly losing all of their matches.
Three Swiss defeats placed extra significance on meetings between the trio and it was Spain who came up short. They lost to Argentina in their opener and were defeated late in the day by West Germany in their closing match, resulting in a third-place finish and early exit.
England, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Romania (1970)
England were victors on home soil at the 1966 World Cup but were handed an almighty challenge as defending champions four years later. They were drawn against a swashbuckling Brazil side that contained the likes of Pelé, Jairzinho and Rivellino, while Czechoslovakia and Romania would prove no pushovers.
The Three Lions narrowly escaped to the knockout round courtesy of 1–0 wins over their European foes, but they were simply no match for eventual champions Brazil. The Seleção topped the standings after three straight wins—although England can take solace from being the only side to limit them to fewer than three goals at the tournament.
Argentina, France, Hungary and Italy (1978)
Two-time world champions Italy, two-time finalists Hungary, 1930 runners-up Argentina and a Michel Platini-inspired France contested Group 1 during the first round of the 1978 World Cup. Unsurprisingly, the six matches between the international giants were remarkably tight and while there were no draws, four of the outings finished with one-goal winning margins.
Beaten 1970 finalists Italy topped the group with three straight wins, while Hungary finished rock bottom having been defeated on each outing despite scoring in every game. The second qualifying spot was scooped by Argentina, whose narrow win over France in their second match proved decisive.
That triumph over Les Bleus ensured progression as La Albiceleste went on to win the World Cup for the first time.
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Argentina, Brazil, Italy (1982)
There is a slight caveat to this entry. This particularly deadly group at the 1982 World Cup in Spain was made up of only three teams in the competition’s second round, rather than opening group phase. Regardless, there have been few tougher groups in World Cup history.
Both Italy and Argentina only finished second in their opening groups, trailing Poland and Belgium respectively, but that didn’t prevent the Azzurri from bettering their two South American foes with back-to-back wins.
Paolo Rossi’s hat-trick against Brazil secured a spot in the semis, where they earned revenge against Poland, and Italy went on to conquer West Germany in the final to clinch a third crown.
Sweden, England, Argentina, Nigeria (2002)
The expansion of the World Cup to 32 teams in 1998 has ensured fewer truly blockbuster groups of death, but there have still been a fair few during the 21st century. In 2002, title candidates England and Argentina were drawn against Sweden and Nigeria in what proved a menacing group.
Against the odds, Sweden claimed first place after a win and two draws, holding both England and Argentina to 1–1 stalemates, and it was the Three Lions who snuck second despite a goalless draw in their final outing with Nigeria. A 1–0 win over Argentina in their match ensured they finished ahead of La Albiceleste.
Unfortunately for Sweden and England, they both failed to make it beyond the quarterfinals—the former beaten by Senegal in the last 16 and the latter conquered by Brazil in the final eight.
Costa Rica, England, Italy and Uruguay (2014)
England, Italy and Uruguay understandably stole attention in Group D at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but their status as heavy-hitters proved inconsequential up against surprise package Costa Rica. The World Cup-winning trio were embarrassed by the CONCACAF outfit, who grabbed top spot after victories over Italy and Uruguay alongside a draw with England in their finale.
Costa Rica’s stunning performance guaranteed an early exit for two giants, with Italy and England coming up short. The duo were both beaten by Uruguay, Diego Godín scoring the crucial winner against the Azzurri in the final round of group games.
Costa Rica progressed all the way to the quarters before being narrowly beaten by the Netherlands on penalties, but Uruguay were dumped out by fellow South Americans Colombia in the last 16.
Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica (2022)
Costa Rica were unable to repeat their heroics in 2022 as they were drawn into another formidable group, but it was a different dark horse who emerged. Japan, who were expected to return home early at the expense of Spain and Germany, wrote headlines with their astonishing performance.
Japan clinched top spot despite losing to Costa Rica, with their defeat sandwiched in between stunning 2–1 victories over Germany and Spain. La Roja had smashed Costa Rica by seven goals in their opener and their superior goal difference ensured a draw with Germany was enough for them to take second place.
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