The Confederations Cup Champion Curse
No team that has won the Confederations Cup has won the World Cup immediately after. France (2001-2002), Brazil (2005-2006), Brazil (2009-2010), Spain (2013-2014), Germany (2017-2018)... all fell.
The 12-Year Cycle
Between 1958 and 2018, Brazil only won World Cups in years ending in "0" or "2": 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002. Will the pattern break in 2026?
The "Europe Effect"
No South American team has won a World Cup played in Europe.
