Who has played the most times in the quarter-finals in World Cup history?

Morocco made history this week by qualifying for the quarter finals of the World Cup for the first time. Joining them are rivals who have been here before - including one who has made as far as the Last 8 in practically every edition.

Brazil is the only nation to have taken part in every edition of the World Cup from the inaugural tournament in 1930 to the current one. Apart from being the nation to have lifted the trophy the most times (five), they have also made the most appearances at the quarter final stage or its equivalent, the second group stage*.

You might also like

The Seleção have participated in 22 World Cup finals and reached the quarter finals/second group stage in all but three: Italy 34, England 66 and Italy 90. So this is the 19th time that Brazil have gone as a far as the quarter finals.

Germany, who failed to make it past the group stage for two editions in a row (2018 Russia 2018 and 2022 Qatar) are not far behind with a total of 17 appearances at the quarter final stage.

Qatar 2022 quarter finalists: Total No. of appearances at this stage

Quick exit at Italy 34

Brazil’s campaign at Italy 1934, the second edition of the tournament, was short-lived. Spain were 3-0 up within half an hour in the opening Round of 16 game in Genoa. Leônidas da Silva pulled one back for the South Americans at the start of the second half but they couldn’t find a way back into the game and subsequently, were on their way home after just one game.

Full screen

No luck at Goodison

Brazil went into the 1966 World Cup hoping to become the first team to lift the trophy three times in a row. But the much-fancied Brazilians, with stars like Pelé, Garrincha and Jairzinho, struggled to get into their stride. Holed up at the Lymm hotel in Warrington, Brazil played all three of their group games in Liverpool at Everton’s Goodison ground. After beating Bulgaria 2-0 in the opening game, they lost 3-1 to Hungary meaning they had to beat Portugal in the third and final game. A crowd of almost 60,000 watched Eusébio’s Portugal run Brazil ragged in a fiercely-fought game. It ended 3-1 and Vicente Feola’s side were out - the only time Brazil have been knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage.

Unlucky against Argentina

Brazil finished top of Group C after beating all three of their rivals: Scotland, Sweden and Costa Rica. They drew Maradona’s Argentina in the Round of 16 but the ball just wouldn’t enter for them. They struck the woodwork three times before Maradona released Claudio Caniggia to fire in the game’s only goal with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Brazil’s record at the World Cup

*Spain 82 was the last World Cup to feature a second group stage. From Mexico 86, the format was changed with teams qualifying from the group stage to the Round of 16, then the quarter finals, semi-finals and final.

**Uruguay 1930, the first edition of the World Cup, featured four groups with the winners of each advancing directly to the semi-finals - so technically-speaking, this group stage can be considered the quarter-final round.