Watch World Cup Live

World Cup soccer is unlike any other sport in terms of its unrivaled levels of excitement, unfolding strategies and tactics, and feats of athleticism. A game that is simultaneously fast-paced, yet takes several hours to fully unfold, soccer is further enhanced by the drama of the international stage. In the World Cup, the best players from around the globe perform their absolute best on behalf of their country. To watch World Cup live is to truly appreciate soccer at its highest level. Over the years of FIFA competition, many great teams have taken the pitch of the World Cup. Among these, the top five are listed here.

Top 5 World Cup Teams of All-Time

5. Holland, 1974

Despite not winning the World Cup, this team is considered one of the great powerhouses in FIFA history. Using the innovative Total Football tactics pioneered in their home country, the Dutch team rolled to the finals by scoring fifteen goals, while allowing only an own goal. On their march to the final, they defeated Uruguay and Bulgaria and drew with Sweden in group play, then defeated Argentina, East Germany and Brazil to reach the Final. They wound up losing a tight match to West Germany, but are still regarded for their dominance as one of the best national teams ever assembled.

4. Brazil, 1994

The first Brazil team since the legendary 1970 squad to win a World Cup, this team’s defensive prowess set them apart from the country’s previous representatives. Solid defense propelled them to wins over Russia and Cameroon in group play, as well as a draw with Sweden. In knockout play, the Brazilians defeated the United States, the Netherlands, and Sweden, before meeting Italy in the finals. The final match was a defensive struggle, with Brazil winning the first World Cup ever to be decided by a shootout.

3. Italy, 1982

This great team got off to a less than spectacular start, with their first three matches ending in draws. After ironing out the kinks, this fundamentally and technically sound squad rattled off consecutive victories over stiff competitors Argentina, Brazil and Poland. Led by goalkeeper Dino Zoff, the Italians used their stifling defense to guide their way through the tournament and into the Final against West Germany. Italy was dominant in the Final, jumping out to a three goal lead in the second half and taking home the country’s third World Cup title.

2. West Germany, 1974

The 1974 West German team won the title that year on their own turf, holding off the dominant Dutch team listed at number five. Led by the scoring of Gerd Muller, who averaged more than a goal per match throughout the tournament and was named “Man of the Match” for the Final, the West Germans battled their way through Yugoslavia, Sweden and Poland in the second group round to earn the right to face the stellar Holland team. This team is also memorable for their politically charged match with East Germany in the first group round. The East team won, thereby earning passage into the next round.

1. Brazil, 1970

Even beyond discussions of the World Cup and soccer in general, this Brazil squad is regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time in any sport. Led by the legendary Pele, who was surrounded by a cast of other spectacular players, this team won the 1970 World Cup without even drawing a single match. They won five straight games in group and knockout play before advancing to the Final against Italy. In those days, many could not tune in to watch World Cup live, yet the 1970 tournament is still regarded by many as one of the best ever.

Watch World Cup Live Online

If you, were swept up in the enthusiasm of the most recent World Cup in 2010, you will want to be sure you are ready when the next tournament comes around. Rather than buy an expensive package from a cable or satellite company, an easier more affordable solution is to watch World Cup live online with SatelliteDirect. The software is easy to install and takes just minutes. There is no additional hardware to install, and no subscription. Just pay a one-time fee of $49.95, download the software, go through a quick install process, and you are all set up to watch World Cup live online in just a few minutes. Every match is available, in the native language, with 24/7 access, no bandwidth limits, right from your PC or Mac computer.