Johannesburg, June 24 (DPA) World Cup title holders Italy Thursday bowed out in the group stage for the second time.
Italy were the first holders to go out early time when they crashed out in the group stage in 1950 after winning in 1938. The 1942 and 1946 editions were not played due to World War II.
Brazil shared the fate in 1966 after their 1962 title and so did France, who went out early in 2002 after winning in 1998.
Italy and Brazil are the only nations to win successive World Cup titles, respectively in 1934/1938 and 1958/1962.
The following is the record of title holders at the World Cup:
Year Title holder Result
1
1934 Uruguay did not participate
1938 Italy winner
1950 Italy group stage
1954 Uruguay fourth place
1958 Germany fourth place
1962 Brazil winner
1966 Brazil group stage
1970 England quarter-finals
1974 Brazil fourth place
1978 Germany second group stage
1982 Argentina second group stage
1986 Italy round of 16
1990 Argentina runner-up
1994 Germany quarter-finals
1998 Brazil runners-up
2002 France group stage
2006 Brazil quarter-finals
2010 Italy group stage
