Brazil was the first country to win the World Cup on a different continent from its own, doing so in Sweden in 1958.
Brazil, a South American nation, defeated host Sweden 5–2 in the final at the Råsunda Stadium in Solna, near Stockholm. The victory was Brazil’s first World Cup title and the first time a team won the tournament outside its home continent. Before 1958, Uruguay had won in Uruguay in 1930, Italy in Italy in 1934, and West Germany in Switzerland in 1954—all on the same continent as the champion nation.
The 1958 tournament also introduced the world to a 17-year-old Pelé. He scored in Brazil’s final three matches, including two goals in the final, and became the youngest player to appear in, score in, and win a World Cup final. Vavá also scored twice against Sweden.
Brazil’s achievement was especially notable because Sweden became the first European host to reach the final without winning it. The result established Brazil as a global football power and began a record run of World Cup success.