Research paper suggests New Zealand is the second most successful international football team on the planet

The second most successful team in international football history is apparently New Zealand while the Socceroos sit at sixth best.

Yes, we were surprised by that as well.

According to research conducted by TicketSource, while the Kiwis didn’t make the 2022 World Cup they should be viewed as a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.

TicketSource analysed the performance of all international football teams to get a gauge of who the premiere side is.

REUTERS / Alamy

To do this they looked at each team’s win rate in every major tournament game to get a percentage.

Probably unsurprising to most, Italy led the entire pack with 36 per cent of wins across their major tournament appearances.

Of course, with four World Cup triumphs and two European Championship accolades they were bound to do well.

Although history didn’t help them when they failed to qualify for the upcoming 2022 edition World Cup.

Can’t improve on that win percentage any time soon.

Following them on the list in equal second position were Germany and New Zealand who have both won 33 per cent of their tournament games.

Two teams that are equally feared in international football, so it makes sense that they put on a similar pedestal.

REUTERS / Alamy

The general mood in Australia is that we may struggle to make it out of a World Cup group that includes the likes of France and Denmark.

However, the study shows that we should give the Socceroos more credit than we have been.

Sitting at equal sixth on the ladder with Argentina with 31 per cent of tournament wins, it’s safe to say Australia should be respected.

Of course, a lot of Australia and New Zealand’s wins have come in the admittedly easier Oceania conference.

But don’t let that distract you from the fact that we are more successful than the likes of France, Spain, and even England.

Take that poms.

Other teams to round out the top ten include the likes of Brazil and Uruguay, whilst there are some more surprise entries from Egypt and Mexico who sit at eighth and ninth respectively.