Italy

The Italian national football team is the current world champion of soccer, having just won the 2006 World Cup. Italy is second in the world for overall wins of the World Cup, just one win behind Brazil. The national team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation which controls all league soccer in Italy.

The national team had its first match against France in 1910 and defeated them 6-2. In addition to their four World Cup wins they have also a gold medal from the Olympics, a European Championship win, and two Central European International Cups. 

In 2007 Italy was ranked number one through FIFA, but this has fallen to number three since the UEFA Euro 2008. 

Australia

The Australian national football team (the Socceroos) is the team that represents Australia in international competitions. In the 2006 World Cup held in Germany the Socceroos were placed in the same group as Brazil, Croatia, and Japan. Before competing with Brazil a British newspaper claimed that several people on the Australian team had taken bets, which is against FIFA regulations. Though some of the team members had made bets, it was amongst themselves and therefore did not break any rules. Australia went on to defeat Brazil and Croatia, but lost to Italy via a penalty kick. Australia is currently ranked 38th according to the FIFA world rankings and is currently competing for a spot in the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa.

Indomitable Lions or simply Cameroon

Cameroon

If South Korea is the most successful Asian soccer team, from the "Black continent" the only team that stood strong in front of the European and South American big names, is without doubt Cameroon. Their first appearance on the soccer world stage was 1982, when the FIFA world Cup was expanded from 16 to 24 teams. It turned out to be a wise decision. Cameroon left the 1982 World Cup in the first stage, but they haven't lost a game, even though they faced teams like Italy or Poland. But their main success was yet to come! At the 1990 "Copa del Monde"(FIFA World Cup held in Italy). They started by defeating the world cup holders Argentina, and made it all the way thorough the quarterfinals, where they lost to England after a dramatic game in extra time. By all means Cameroon was one of the most applauded and loved teams at the 1990 World Cup. While, they haven't repeated the the 1990 performance, they are currently ranked the 12th in the world. Not bad right!!

Asian soccer

Let's now take a look at the Asian soccer.
South Korea is said to be the most successful soccer team in Asia. Since its debut, 1948 Summer Olympics, South Korea qualified for 7 times to the FIFA World Cup. By far, they hold the best record for an Asian soccer national team to a FIFA World Cup Finals, the 4th place. Even though it was more than controversial, the way the official referees called some decisive plays in favor of South Korean team, they made their way through the semifinals by defeating both Italy and Spain. It is to be mentioned that the tournament was held by South Korea & Japan.But without doubt, Southern Korean's soccer team results in the past 10 years represent a clear progress and improvement for the Asian soccer. They are currently ranked 53rd in the world (according to FIFA rankings ) and they held a strong lead in the FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifying round