Every FIFA World Cup Ranked From Worst To Best

After the disappointments of the two previous finals, the 1950s was rounded off in style with a World Cup to savour for the football purists.

Sweden ‘58 was the first finals to have an unbridled feel-good factor about it. This was the tournament that introduced the world to Pelé who, at just 17, burst onto the scene with a series of spellbinding performances and six goals, including two in the final.

It was also the tournament that saw Brazil come good on their promise as perennial tournament favourites, sweeping all in front of them with 16 goals in six matches, including five goals for the team’s other star striker Vavá.

The Seleção weren’t the only ones racking up the goals either, with France’s Just Fontaine making World Cup history with a stunning 13 goals in six games for Les Bleus, who reached the semi-finals before falling to the eventual winners 5-2.

Boasting a straight forward 16-team group stage and knockout rounds format, the tournament proved to be the first of three Jules Rimet trophies won by Brazil over the next 16 years. The World Cup had finally arrived.