Since it is said to be a global competition, it has already eliminated continent-wide competitions such as the European Cup, the America's Cup, and the Asian Cup. The most famous and orthodox tournament is, of course, the World Cup. However, in the history of the World Cup, there are only two examples of consecutive championships, Italy in 34 years and 38 years, and Brazil in 58 years and 62 years. Other than that, no team can defend the title, let alone three in a row.
Although it is not within the scope of today's discussion, it is worth mentioning that in the history of the Asian Cup, Iran has won three consecutive championships. Argentina has done this in the history of the Copa America. There is no such example in the European Championship, the most powerful is Spain in 08 and 12, which only won two consecutive championships.
In a global tournament like the World Cup, there is only one national team that has won three consecutive championships.
That team is Brazil. And this event is the Confederations Cup, which has been cancelled.
Don't look at the Confederations Cup, which has always been regarded as chicken ribs and is not welcomed, but after all, it is also a global event that FIFA has painstakingly created after the World Cup, but the scale is much smaller. However, the Confederations Cup is really not bad in terms of quality, and only new champions from all continents are allowed to participate.
It is said that Brazil's strength has declined since the 02 World Cup, but in the Confederations Cup, Brazil's results have maintained a strong momentum. Since 2005, Brazil has won three consecutive championships, and three finals have been defeated by the champions of three continents, Argentina, the United States, and Spain. In particular, the 2005 Confederations Cup final was a rare classic, with a star-studded Brazilian star, and everyone else was there, except for Ronaldo. Kaka, Ronaldo, and Ade teamed up to blow a samba whirlwind and beat Argentina 4:1 to the point of losing their armor.
In the 2009 Confederations Cup, Brazil successfully reached the final, while the opponent was the United States, who knocked out Spain. Brazil won this game very hard, and finally won 3:2.
The 2013 Confederations Cup was a prelude to the 2014 World Cup, with Brazil playing at home and reaching the final again, this time against Spain at the end of the Golden Age. In the end, Brazil won 3-0 and won the championship. It is said that Spain has been invincible all over the world in those years, but only when they met Brazil, they were beaten and had no power to fight back.
Now think about it, after the 02 World Cup, although Brazil's strength has declined, it is still very competitive, and in the 06 and 10 World Cups, they are the favorites to win the championship. During this period, the Confederations Cup won three times in a row, which also provided them with proof of strength. Although this competition is not comparable to the World Cup, and many teams may not take it very seriously.
Perhaps, it was after the end of the Confederations Cup three consecutive championships that Brazil ushered in a real low-trough. In the 2014 World Cup, Brazil was slaughtered 7:1 by Germany on their doorstep, losing face. Even if Neymar and Silva are absent, Brazil will not lose so badly.
Today, Brazil is at best one of the best teams in the world, but they are by no means the strongest in the world. And the momentum of three consecutive Confederations Cup championships, Brazil today does not have. Now, the only event that can prove itself as soon as possible is the 2026 World Cup. Of course, for the 2024 Copa America, let's see what kind of results Brazil can achieve.