Big Question: Does Past World Cup Success Matter this Year?
You know the numbers. Six of the seven countries that have won the World Cup are playing in this year’s final. These and a few other teams are considered traditional football powers. Some pundits are saying that they would be very surprised if the champion this year is not one of the traditional powers. Others think this might be the year for a first time winner.
Today’s Big Question asks whether you think the teams that have had success in the past have an advantage. Does it matter, for example, that Italy has won past championships even though the current set of players was not a part of the winning teams? Does a team have an extra edge because of their country’s past performance?
What do you think?
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Comments
By nick | May 21st, 2006 at 5:55 am 
i think that unless your squad is as good or better than those sides which have won it (let’s say Brazil now to Brazil 1994) then it can possibly a burden as there is a heightened level of expectation which the current team may not warrant (for example - germany- despite being the hosts). Now i know there can be positives as well such as experience, history, past knowledge etc…but in reality countries who have won the world cup in the past and who may not have strong teams yet have strong backing - often tend to poorly - just look at italy, argentina in 2002
Posted from 
Australia
By Euler | May 21st, 2006 at 6:41 am I think it matter for Brazil this year. For two reasons.
First because we have the trophy now and every team that play against us will have an extra motivation, so it will be harder.
Second because our football history is amazing, so the Canarinho shirt may intimidate some young players, which can give some (little) advantage for us.
By Bense | May 21st, 2006 at 7:28 am I’d say because of 1998, France was overrated, now they are a little underrated, but who knows. Hopefully the Swiss kick their butts.
Posted from 
United States
By rescorpione17 | May 21st, 2006 at 7:36 am there is traditon there are records and ambitions some of us played around with mathematical grids having 1982 as a center giving brasil an edge i gave a little grid based on the fact that Italy wen to final every 12 tears since 1970…but ..but ..this all of this is just pregame talkshow i truly found myself thinking that what happened in Euro 2004 with greece going all the way…it may open the field of contenders up and give all of us a big surprise and after all i would probably love to see it ,once stated that i am for Italy (on paper has the best starting eleven since 1982…)
looking at the 32 teams i wonder who could be the one with biggest potential for a fist timer well i already put SPAIN on my top 4 for if they win their group their ride to semifinals looks quite approachable… they do have some talent there…a big sleeper is CROATIA i don’t know about their dept in the bench but again…the shadow of Greece is all over the world of national teams ..i don’t think any of the african teams could pull it off this year..only Ivory Coast have some real talent but their group…is a real mess…
Posted from United States
By Rusty | May 21st, 2006 at 11:32 am Yes, the past will play a role. Brazil is head-and-shoulders above the rest of the field, but who knows? The winner wull be one of the powerhouses again, as there is a tradition at the World Cup like nowhere else.
Posted from United States
By Karlo Dunatov | May 21st, 2006 at 12:46 pm Hey rescorpione17 you’re right, Croatia should not be underestimated at this world cup. Although they are not quite as good as the team from ‘98 they could cause quite a stir against Brazil in their opener and should qualify easily out of their group. I’m hoping for a showdown with Italy in the second round for Croatia. Who we could easily oust and send home early.
Posted from 
Canada
By Fabio | May 21st, 2006 at 4:05 pm yes past does play a role, a role of intimidation, besides that all must be decided on the present. i would have to agree with rescorpione17 about Italy having the best team on paper since 1982, and this year is no exception, but when it comes down to the kick off, all that goes out the door, and thats when we seperate the men from the boys. lets hope they all mature this year
Forza Azzurri
Posted from Canada
By Camtona | May 22nd, 2006 at 12:41 am I sincerely hope this world cup continues the trend from wc2002 & euro2004 & causes a few suprises.
Australia has slipped under the radar for traditional football fans but is a team that will make it’s presence felt.
Croatia will have to play above themselves to get a result against Australia.
Posted from Australia
By DT | May 22nd, 2006 at 4:33 am rescorpione17, Ivory Coast is so overrated. I think Tunisia and Togo have decent chance to create an upset or two. France didn’t do too well in the qualifying matches. Their coach didn’t even call Giuly, Pires and Govou. Spain qualified through the play-off. It’s probably the worst Spain team they have for 12 years or so.
Karlo Dunatov, I don’t think Croatia manage to beat Italy if they meet this year. Out of the 32 countries that participating in this year’s World Cup, Italy has the strongest (and most balanced) squad.
Luca Toni is way better than Ronaldo. Gilardino is slightly better than Adriano. Zambrotta is better than Roberto Carlos. Pirlo is as good as Kaka.
By the way, I’m not even an Italy fan. But I fancy betting on them to win this World Cup.
Posted from Australia
By Aakash | May 22nd, 2006 at 6:17 am speaking of past world cups, look at what i found on google video
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5240830760377005893
Posted from United States
By ephrem | May 25th, 2006 at 8:18 am brazil
By ephrem | May 25th, 2006 at 8:22 am 2006 world cup the winner brazil
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