The Hungary national football team has a huge place in World Cup history, with their 1954 team considered to be the greatest side never to win the trophy. Along with the Netherlands and Czechoslovakia, they are the only team to lose multiple finals without winning one themselves, and have three Olympic titles to their name (1952, 1964 and 1968).

Their 1902 match against Austria was the first official international match between two non-British nations and, despite the Austro-Hungarian Empire lasting until 1918, the two countries had separate teams. Hungary’s record victory is 12-0 (vs Russian Empire in 1912, vs Albania in 1950) and a 13-1 win against France in 1927.

The Magical Magyars 1954 team went unbeaten for 31 matches and thrilled the footballing world with players like Ferenc Puskas, Nandor Hidegkuti, Sandor Kocsis and Jozsef Bozsik. By beating England 6-3 in November 1953, the Hungarians became the first non-UK team to beat the English at Wembley, sending shock-waves throughout the world. Proving it was no fluke, they won 7-1 in the rematch soon after. This is still England’s heaviest defeat.

These days the Hungary national football team struggle to qualify for tournaments and haven’t added to their nine World Cup appearances since 1986.

World cup history

1934

Italy

32 countries applied to enter this World Cup, so qualifiers were brought in. Unlike in 1930, the tournament was a straight knockout competition. Hungary began by beating Egypt 4-2 but lost to rivals Austria in the quarter final. Once again the hosts won the tournament, as Italy overcame a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1 after extra time. Striker Oldřich Nejedlý finished as leading scorer with 5 goals.

1938

France

The third World Cup was held in France, much to the displeasure of Argentina and Uruguay, who withdrew from the tournament as they assumed it was South America’s turn to host it. Like four years previously, the tournament was a straight knockout and the Hungary national football team began with a 6-0 win over the Dutch East Indies thanks to Gyula Zsengeller’s brace. The striker was the tournament’s second top goal scorer with five goals. After beating Switzerland and destroying Sweden, the Magyars reached the final. However, Italy retained the trophy by winning 4-2 in the final.

1954

Switzerland

After not participating in the 1950 World Cup, the Hungary national football team were heavy favourites going into Switzerland 1954. Hungary demolished West Germany 8-3 in the group stage, despite Puskas getting an injury. They beat Brazil in a violent quarter final infamously dubbed the ‘Battle of Berne’. The Magical Magyars managed to defeat world champions Uruguay in the semi finals thanks to Kocsis’ brace. For the final, Puskas played despite debatable fitness levels and a rain-sodden pitch. Incredibly, the Germans turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 victory, with Puskas’ late goal controversially ruled out. Despite been tempered slightly by allegations of German doping, the memorable final is still called the ‘Miracle of Berne’.

1958

Sweden

The Swedish tournament was Pele’s introduction to the world, as he became the youngest World Cup goal scorer at 17 years and 239 days. He then scored a hat trick in the semi-final and two in the final, as Brazil beat the hosts 5-2. The Hungary national football team was unrecognisable from 1954, as many players fled from the communist regime and they failed to get out of a group containing Wales, Sweden and Mexico.

1962

Chile

Held in Chile and host of the infamous ‘Battle of Santiago’, the seventh World Cup saw goal average replace goal difference as the device for separating joint teams. The Hungary national football team finished top of their group ahead of Argentina, England and Bulgaria. Florian Albert scored four goals in total but they were knocked out in the quarter finals by eventual runners-up Czechoslovakia. Brazil won 3-1 in the final.

1966

England

England became the third host nation to win the World Cup, thanks to Geoff Hurst and a linesman. Pre-tournament drama saw a dog called Pickles heroically find the stolen Jules Rimet trophy and Africa boycott due to a row with FIFA qualification. The Hungary national football team helped eliminate world champions Brazil by coming second in Group 3, behind Portugal. Ferenc Bene’s goal wasn’t enough to see them overcome the Soviet Union in the next round. Eusebio was the tournament’s top scorer with nine goals.

1978

Argentina

The hosts won yet again, as Argentina beat a Cruyff-less Netherlands 3-1 after extra time. Held in a country that recently suffered a military coup, Argentina had a controversial 6-0 win over Peru, which led to suggestions of match-fixing. The Hungary national football team, meanwhile, were eliminated with no points after defeats to Italy, Argentina and France. In a funny moment, the group match with France saw both teams arrive with only their white change kits, resulting in a delayed kick off whilst officials found a local team’s green-and-white jerseys for the French.

1982

Spain

Belgium and Argentina qualified from group 3, despite the Hungary national football team’s 10-1 destruction of Honduras. Laszlo Kiss scored a hat trick in a result that is still the biggest ever World Cup victory. Despite failing to win their three group games, a Paolo Rossi-inspired Italy won their third World Cup trophy in Spain, by beating West Germany 3-1 in the final. They even eliminated the legendary Brazil team containing Zico & Socrates. The Germans and Austria played a controversial match, where they played to the exact score that would see both teams progress, to the disgust of spectators. This time, 24 teams qualified and the first World Cup penalty shoot-out took place, between West Germany and France.

1986

Mexico

Mexico replaced Colombia as hosts, which saw the birth of the Mexican wave. Despite beating Canada in the Canucks’ only World Cup, Hungary lost 6-0 to the Soviets and 3-0 to France, leading to an early elimination. Diego Maradona eliminated England with the Hand of God and one of the greatest goals of all time. He captained Argentina to victory in the final, beating West Germany 3-2.

2018

Russia

The Hungary national football team are in Group B alongside Portugal, Switzerland, the Faroe Islands, Latvia, and Andorra.

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