{{Short description|Concept in sports}} {{Missing information|article|many different teams mentioned|date=November 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} In sport, a '''golden generation''', or ''golden team''' is an exceptionally gifted group of players of similar age, whose achievements reach or are expected to reach a level of success beyond that which their team had previously achieved. The term was first being cited by the media for Portugal's success during the FIFA Youth Championships in both 1989 and 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/513450/20131013/england-steven-gerrard-frank-lampard-figo-denis.htm |title=Curse of the Golden Generations: The Unrewarded Exploits of Bergkamp, Figo, Drogba and England – International Business Times UK |publisher=Ibtimes.co.uk |date=13 October 2013 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espnfc.com/team/belgium/459/blog/post/1923296/belgium-golden-generation|title=Belgium Golden Generation – ESPN FC|work=ESPNFC.com|access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> Alternatively, it can describe a group of players at a club, who typically are the same age group and often came through the club academy together.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/what-is-class-of-92-man-utd-stars-salford-fa-cup-man-city-b1204128.html|publisher=The Standard|author=Matt Verri|title=What is the Class of 92? Former Manchester United stars behind Salford rise to League Two|date=11 January 2025|accessdate=20 February 2025}}</ref> Often, a golden generation is given a nickname for example as "The Class of 92" or "The Bengan Boys".
Below is a list of teams who have been referred to by the media as golden generations, most of which played in the 21st century.
==Basketball==
===Argentina (2000–2012)=== Led by Manu Ginóbili and accompanied by players like Luis Scola, Fabricio Oberto, Carlos Delfino, Andres Nocioni, Pablo Prigioni and Walter Herrmann, the Argentina national basketball team between 2000 and 2012 has been referred to as "the golden generation". The team won gold in the Americas Championship 2001, silver in 2002 FIBA World Championship, gold in Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics, gold in FIBA Diamond Ball 2008, bronze in Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics, and gold in 2011 FIBA Americas Championship, resulting in Argentina reaching the first position in the FIBA Men's Ranking at the end of the 2008 Olympic Games.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/197164-star-studded-but-aging-argentine-squad-looks-to-add-to-achievements-with-fiba-am|title= Star-studded but aging Argentine squad looks to add to achievements with FIBA Americas gold|publisher= sportingnews|date= 12 September 2011|access-date= 19 June 2021|archive-date= 28 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210628004332/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/197164-star-studded-but-aging-argentine-squad-looks-to-add-to-achievements-with-fiba-am|url-status= dead}}</ref>
===Croatia (1992–1995)=== The Croatian basketball team's "golden generation" refers to the group of players who won a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, bronze at the 1993 and 1995 EuroBasket, and bronze at the 1994 World Championship. Key players included legends like Dražen Petrović, Toni Kukoč, and Dino Rađa, who, along with other talented athletes, brought Croatia immediate success after the breakup of Yugoslavia.
==Football== === Europe ===
==== Belgium (2014–2022) ==== During the 10 years from 2002 to 2012 in which Belgium failed to qualify for major tournaments, a golden generation matured, many of whom gained both prime individual and team awards in foreign European clubs and competitions. These include Eden Hazard, who at his peak was one of the top players in the world;<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 September 2018|title='Eden Hazard is the best player in the world,' claims Chelsea legend|url=https://talksport.com/football/426952/eden-hazard-best-in-the-world-chelsea-legend-john-terry/|access-date=30 June 2021|website=talkSPORT|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Fabregas|first=Cesc|date=26 June 2018|title=Eden Hazard can be the best Chelsea player in history|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/26/eden-hazard-can-best-chelsea-player-history/|access-date=30 June 2021|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> defender and former captain Vincent Kompany;<ref>{{cite news|title=Alan Pardew and Vincent Kompany's Premier League award|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2012|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18042404|access-date=30 June 2021}}</ref> Kevin De Bruyne, who is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation;<ref>{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Luke|date=9 November 2017|title=Kevin de Bruyne can become as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, says Roberto Martinez|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/kevin-de-bruyne-as-good-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-manchester-city-real-madrid-barcelona-a8045706.html|access-date=16 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Siregar|first=Cady|date=16 October 2017|title=Pep Guardiola calls Kevin De Bruyne "the best player in Europe bar one"|url=http://www.squawka.com/news/pep-guardiola-calls-kevin-de-bruyne-the-best-player-in-europe-bar-one/999940|access-date=16 November 2017|publisher=Squawka}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Holyman|first=Ian|date=10 November 2017|title=Kevin De Bruyne best player in Premier League at the moment – Eden Hazard|url=https://www.espnfc.com/manchester-city/story/3264836/kevin-de-bruyne-best-player-in-the-premier-league-at-the-moment-eden-hazard|access-date=16 November 2017|website=ESPN FC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=14 October 2017|title=Hughes praises 'best player' in league De Bruyne|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41623610|access-date=16 November 2017|website=BBC Sport|archive-date=15 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615003846/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41623610|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McGee|first=Nicholas|date=15 January 2018|title=Bayern Munich boss Heynckes: "I would give De Bruyne the shirt off my back"|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/jupp-heynckes-would-give-kevin-de-bruyne-shirt-off-my-back/2eqyxx2j3vqi1dt7leiauui4j|access-date=8 July 2018|website=goal.com}}</ref> and Romelu Lukaku, who is currently Belgium's all-time top scorer.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sealey|first=Louis|date=14 November 2017|title=Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku breaks international record|url=https://metro.co.uk/2017/11/14/manchester-united-striker-romelu-lukaku-breaks-belgium-goalscoring-record-at-the-age-of-24-7079702/|access-date=30 June 2021|website=Metro|language=en}}</ref> Other key players of this golden generation include Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Yannick Carrasco, Axel Witsel, Mousa Dembélé, Dries Mertens, Marouane Fellaini, Thomas Vermaelen, and Toby Alderweireld. These players helped Belgium finish in third place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the team's best ever performance at the World Cup; and reach number one in the FIFA World Rankings for the first time in November 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rogers|first=Martin|title=Belgium fights off Brazil's comeback to reach World Cup semifinals|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/worldcup/2018/07/06/belgium-brazil-world-cup/764264002/|access-date=30 June 2021|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brown|first=Cy|title=For Belgium's 'Golden Generation,' 2018 World Cup Was Best (But Not Last) Shot At A Major Trophy|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/cybrown/2018/07/11/the-2018-world-cup-was-belgiums-golden-generations-best-but-not-last-shot-at-a-major-trophy/|access-date=30 June 2021|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Belgium beat England to finish third|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44748604|access-date=30 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Belgian Blueprint|url=https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2021/06/sport/belgium-euro-2020-spt-intl/|access-date=30 June 2021|website=www.cnn.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=6 July 2018|title=Brazil knocked out of World Cup by Kevin De Bruyne and brilliant Belgium|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/06/brazil-belgium-world-cup-quarter-final-match-report|access-date=30 June 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>
At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Belgium performed excellently, earning themselves a third-place finish. Captain Hazard won the Silver Ball as the second best player of the tournament behind Luka Modrić whereas goalkeeper Courtois was awarded the Golden Glove for his performance during the tournament.
Numerous sports commentators marked Belgium's elimination from the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup as the end of Belgium's golden generation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Belgium's golden era ends in a World Cup whimper|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/belgiums-golden-era-ends-world-cup-whimper-2022-12-01/|date=1 December 2022|website=Reuters|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=6 November 2022|title=Belgium's golden generation face last stand at World Cup|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/belgiums-golden-generation-face-last-031808694.html|access-date=1 December 2022|website=Yahoo! Sports|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1 December 2022|title=Belgium's Golden Generation Tarnishes Right Before Our Eyes|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/belgium-s-golden-generation-tarnishes-right-before-our-eyes/ar-AA14NhEN|access-date=1 December 2022|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 December 2022|title=World Cup 2022 results: Belgium's 'golden generation' exit with a whimper as Morocco and Croatia reach last 16|url=https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2022-results-belgium-golden-generation-exit-whimper-morocco-croatia-reach-last-16-2005092?ico=most_popular|access-date=1 December 2022|website=inews.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> Ahead of that tournament, midfielder De Bruyne had responded with "No chance, we're too old" to a question about Belgium's chances of winning the World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 November 2022|title="No chance, we're too old" – Kevin De Bruyne slams Belgium's chances of winning World Cup 2022|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/no-chance-were-too-old-kevin-de-bruyne-slams-belgiums-chances-of-winning-world-cup-2022|access-date=1 December 2022|website=FourFourTwo|language=en}}</ref> Similarly, Hazard stated that they had "a better chance to win four years ago."<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 November 2022|title=Belgium's 'Golden Generation' past best, admits Hazard|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20221126-belgium-s-golden-generation-past-best-admits-hazard|access-date=1 December 2022|website=France 24|language=en}}</ref> De Bruyne echoed these sentiments, stating "I think our chance was 2018. We have a good team, but it is aging."<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 November 2022|title=Belgian stars Kevin De Bruyne, Jan Vertonghen in heated World Cup altercation|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/fifa-world-cup/belgian-stars-kevin-de-bruyne-jan-vertonghen-in-heated-world-cup-altercation/ar-AA14I1LZ|access-date=1 December 2022|website=MSN|language=en}}</ref> Of the 26 players on the 2022 squad, 11 were at least 30 years old during the 2022 World Cup.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wegrynenterprises.com/2022/06/21/belgium-has-the-oldest-squad-in-the-fifa-2022-world-cup/ | title=Belgium Has the Oldest Squad in the FIFA 2022 World Cup | date=21 June 2022 }}</ref> Coach Roberto Martínez resigned following Belgium's elimination after six years with the team.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 December 2022|title=Roberto Martinez stands down as Belgium manager after World Cup exit|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/roberto-martinez-belgium-manager-croatia-b2237182.html?amp|access-date=1 December 2022|website=Independent|language=en}}</ref>
==== Croatia (1996–1999, 2017–2024) ==== {{Expand section|date=November 2025}} Croatia's first golden football generation was the team from the late 1990s, which in their first ever major international competition at the 1996 EURO played the quarter-finals against Germany and won the bronze medal at the 1998 FIFA World Cup which was also their first ever World Cup appearance. This generation is remembered for key players like Davor Šuker, Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinečki, and Robert Jarni. The team's success, including Šuker winning the Golden Boot, earned them a third-place FIFA ranking in January 1999 marking the fastest ascension in FIFA ranking history and established them as a major force in international football.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/davor-suker-croatia-france-1998-memories |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=www.fifa.com|title=Davor Suker reflects on 1998 FIFA World Cup}}</ref>[[File:Croatia's post-match huddle after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final.jpg|thumb|Croatia players posing with Vladimir Putin and Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final]]
The Croatia national football team of the late 2010s was thought of as the "Second Coming of the Golden Generation";<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/16/croatia-luka-modric-great-expectations|title=Croatia's Luka Modric: 'It is only right there are great expectations of us'|last=Walker|first=Shaun|date=16 June 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/world-cup-2018-will-croatia-s-new-golden-generation-beat-les-bleus-in-the-final|title=World Cup 2018: Will Croatia's new golden generation beat Les Bleus in the final?|date=13 July 2018|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.besoccer.com/new/the-time-is-now-for-croatia-s-second-golden-generation-458062|title=The time is now for Croatia's second golden generation|work=BeSoccer|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-EN}}</ref> in reference to the Golden Generation of Croatia from the late 1990s who won the bronze medal in at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Croatia's debut at the World Cup.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://scroll.in/field/886326/suker-prosinecki-boban-croatias-first-golden-generation-that-lit-up-england-96-and-france-98|title=Suker, Prosinecki, Boban: Croatia's first 'Golden Generation' that lit up England '96 and France '98|last=Bhattacharya|first=Arka|work=Scroll.in|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://blog.betvictor.com/en-gb/sports/international-football/russia-2018/croatia-potential-world-cup/|title=Can Croatia's Second Golden Generation in 20 Years Fulfil Their Potential?|date=6 June 2018|work=BetVictor Blog|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> The team, under the leadership of captain Luka Modrić and the style of play by key players such as Mario Mandžukić, Ivan Rakitić, Ivan Perišić, Vedran Ćorluka and Mateo Kovačić reached the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, losing to France 4–2.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/iceland-vs-croatia-world-cup-2018-ivan-rakitic-luka-modric-midfield-tactics-preview-partnership-a8416581.html|title=Are Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric the World Cup's biggest unsung heroes?|work=The Independent|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/modric-makes-the-world-cup-look-easy-kaka-praises-croatia/dfv4zkrswsr11qdn55m0e45yk|title=World Cup Final: 'Modric makes the World Cup look easy' – Kaka praises Croatia captain {{!}} Goal.com|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2018/jul/15/world-cup-2018-final-france-v-croatia-live|title=World Cup 2018 final: France 4–2 Croatia – as it happened|first1=Barry|last1=Glendenning|date=15 July 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=16 July 2018|first2=Will|last2=Unwin|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|last3=McVeigh|first3=Niall}}</ref> The squad were praised for their performance at the World Cup.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/world-cup/912215/croatia-unheralded-football-powers/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716140634/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/world-cup/912215/croatia-unheralded-football-powers/|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 July 2018|title=Croatia: Unheralded powers of football and their Golden Generation|date=13 July 2018|work=FOX Sports Asia|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44754965|title=World Cup 2018: France beat Croatia 4–2 in World Cup final|date=15 July 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> The team made it to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup before losing 3–0 to Argentina in the semi-finals and then subsequently winning 2–1 against Morocco in the 3rd place playoff. The team made it to the final of the 2023 UEFA Nations League, but ultimately lost to Spain 5–4 on penalties after Lovro Majer and Bruno Petkovic missed their penalties during the shootout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pt.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/0282-1849d8b2412c-f43f87000e15-1000--spain-win-nations-league-croatia-edged-out-on-penalties/|publisher=UEFA|title=Spain win Nations League: Croatia edged out on penalties|access-date=22 February 2025}}</ref>
==== Denmark (1981–1992) ==== Starting with the appointment of Sepp Piontek as the head coach of the Danish national football team in 1979, the team achieved remarkable results, including a 3–1 win against reigning World Champions Italy in 1981, a 1–0 win against England at Wembley Stadium, before qualifying for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, the first time ever in Danish football history. During the 1986 World Cup, the Danish team won all three group stage matches, including a remarkable 6–1 win against Uruguay, and the team was nicknamed "Danish Dynamite" following a chant introduced in 1983.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bt.dk/em/historien-bag-det-danske-verdenshit-saadan-opstod-danish-dynamite |work=BT.dk |title=Historien bag det danske verdenshit: Sådan opstod 'Danish Dynamite' |date=21 June 2021 }}</ref>
Sepp Piontek left the team in 1990. Following this, the team failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 1992. However, due to the Yugoslav Wars, Denmark took Yugoslavia's place in the tournament, eventually winning the tournament following a 2–0 win against Germany in the final.<ref>{{cite web |title=Euro 1992: Denmark's fairytale |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/17757335|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=12 May 2012 |access-date=24 March 2025 }}</ref>
==== England (2001–2006, 2017–present) ==== {{main|Golden Generation (English football)}}
During the reign of Sven-Göran Eriksson, Adam Crozier, the chief executive of the Football Association and some members of the British media, touted players such as David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Michael Owen, and Steven Gerrard as the nucleus of a potential Golden Generation team. Despite some impressive performances such as the 2001 Germany v England football match in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers and the individual players' successes at club level, inconsistency resulted in this group of players failing to live up to expectations, resulting in the group becoming synonymous with disappointment and failed potential.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/aug/18/england | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=McClaren ends the golden era | date=18 August 2006 | first=Kevin | last=McCarra}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jul/09/worldcup2006.sport2 | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=England's golden generation are just big heads | date=9 July 2006 | first=Paul | last=Wilson}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5137638.stm | work=BBC News | title=End of road for wayward England | date=2 July 2006 | first=Phil | last=McNulty}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/internationals/article1826303.ece |location=London |work=The Independent |title=Eco Chic: All ethically made over |date=23 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061106081248/http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/internationals/article1826303.ece |archive-date=6 November 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= England, Beckham booted from Euro 2008|work= MSNBC|url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21920060/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071123112846/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21920060/|url-status= dead|archive-date= 23 November 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/sam-wallace-golden-generation-fell-short-of-the-highest-standards-ndash-but-england-will-miss-them-2345567.html | title=Sam Wallace: 'Golden generation' fell short of the highest standards – but England will miss them |location=London | work=The Independent | first=Sam | last=Wallace | date=29 August 2011}}</ref>
After Eriksson left in 2006 and Steve McClaren became manager, although many of the players continued to achieve success with their respective clubs, the team failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 2008, only the second time England failed to qualify for a major tournament in over 20 years (of the last 12 major tournaments). Rio Ferdinand claimed that the pressure of the "Golden Generation" tag had a negative effect on the players, restricting their ability to perform to their full potential for the national team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/10/rio-ferdinand-england-world-cup|title=Rio Ferdinand urges England's young Lions to be fearless at World Cup|author=Owen Gibson|work=The Guardian|date=10 May 2014|access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> In 2017, Pep Guardiola said he could not understand why England did not achieve more with players such as Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, John Terry, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole, and claimed they were on the same level as Spain's golden generation of 2008–2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/failings-of-englands-golden-generation-baffle-man-city-boss/9was46i8aycg1bz2cw9xr0xv8|title=Failings of England's 'Golden Generation' baffle Man City boss Guardiola|date=1 April 2017|website=Goal.com|access-date=8 April 2019}}</ref>
With the rise of stars such as Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Dele Alli, Kyle Walker, Jordan Henderson, Kieran Trippier, Raheem Sterling, Harry Maguire, Eric Dier, John Stones, and other youngsters, England again became a powerhouse in world football, claiming 4th place at the FIFA World Cup 2018 and maintaining a top 5 place in the FIFA rankings since October of that year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ENG?gender=men | title=Inside FIFA }}</ref> In the next few years, numerous young talents continued to emerge. With the likes of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Mason Mount, Jadon Sancho, Luke Shaw, Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Maddison, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Declan Rice, England was one of the favorites at the UEFA Euro 2020, where they reached the final, losing to Italy on penalties. At the World Cup 2022, with the addition of young talent Jude Bellingham, England was again expected to challenge for the title, but ultimately lost to France 1–2 in the quarter finals. At the Euro 2024, England again reached the final with the addition of Cole Palmer, although they lost to Spain 1–2 in the final.
==== France (1998–2006, 2016–present) ==== In late 1998, the France national football team began a period of international dominance defeating Brazil 3–0 to win the 1998 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first French team to win the World Cup. Two years later, David Trezeguet's golden goal in extra time gave France a 2–1 win over Italy to give France the 2000 European Championship. France was subsequently ranked No. 1 in the FIFA World Rankings and ranked No. 1 in the World Football Elo Ratings for two years. The team also secured the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup. Despite this impressive recent record, the French team flopped at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, losing to newcomers Senegal in the opening match of the tournament and crashing out in the group stages without scoring a single goal and taking only one point from their three games. A year later they were successful at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, winning the competition after beating Cameroon in the final thanks to a golden goal from Thierry Henry. They also reached the World Cup final in Berlin at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where they lost to Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=368242&root=worldcup&&cc=3436 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525192338/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=368242&root=worldcup&&cc=3436 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 May 2011 |title=Finals bow for Zidane et al – ESPN FC |publisher=ESPN |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/english-players-are-an-endangered-species-we-must-do-more-to-protect-460942.html | location=London | work=The Independent | first=Sam | last=Wallace | title=English players are an endangered species we must do more to protect | date=10 August 2007}}</ref> The French golden team<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/blanc-under-pressure-amid-race-row-storm-1571506|title=Blanc under pressure amid race row storm|last=Grelard|first=Philippe|date=6 May 2011|publisher=NDTV Sports|access-date=24 April 2018}}</ref> was composed of players such as Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Lilian Thuram, Laurent Blanc, Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira, Didier Deschamps, Fabien Barthez, Emmanuel Petit, Marcel Desailly, Bixente Lizarazu and Franck Ribéry.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tiwari|first=Aditya|date=21 May 2020|title=National sides that revolutionized the game and inspired future generations|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/5-best-national-team-golden-generations-in-football-history|access-date=30 June 2021|website=www.sportskeeda.com|language=en-us}}</ref> Between 2006 and 2016, France underwhelmed in several international tournaments such as Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, both in which they were knocked out in the group stages, only scoring one goal.
For the first time in 6 years, they reached the knockout stages of an international tournament advancing from the group stages of the 2012 Euros and the 2014 World Cup before being knocked out in the quarter-finals of both competitions by Spain and Germany respectively. In 2016, they reached the final of the Euros, with Antoine Griezmann being star player, being awarded player of the tournament and the golden boot. Then in 2018, they won the FIFA World Cup, beating Croatia 4–2 in the final and thus starting a new golden generation of players including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, N'Golo Kante, Hugo Lloris, Benjamin Pavard, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane and Blaise Matuidi. At the subsequent Euros, they were knocked out by Switzerland in the round of 16 but then won the Nations League in 2021, beating Spain in the final with goals from Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe. In 2022, they reached the World Cup final but eventually lost to Argentina on penalties, despite Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick in the final, being the first player to do so since Geoff Hurst in 1966 against West Germany. In 2024, France reached the semi-finals of the Euro 2024 despite not scoring a goal from open play in their previous games, owing to the solidity of their defence. However, the team subsequently lost 2–1 to Spain.
==== Germany (2006–2018) ==== {{Expand section|date=November 2024}} After disappointing results in UEFA Euro 2000 and UEFA Euro 2004 despite reaching the 2002 FIFA World Cup final, the Germany national football team reached the semi-finals in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the finals in the UEFA Euro 2008, losing to the eventual tournament winner both times. With Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Per Mertesacker playing a major role in these results already, it was the addition of Manuel Neuer, Jérôme Boateng, Mats Hummels, Sami Khedira, Mesut Özil, Toni Kroos, Mario Götze and Thomas Müller that pushed Germany to a top-tier world class team. Led by Joachim Löw the team finished in the top 4 in all major tournaments, additionally 2014 winning their first world title after the German reunification in 1990 and reaching first place in the FIFA rankings for the first time after 20 years. Commentators mark their early group stage exit from the 2018 FIFA World Cup as the end of their ‘golden generation’ as well as Mesut Özil's retirement and Thomas Müller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels’ exclusion from the team although Müller and Hummels did return for UEFA Euro 2020 in which Germany were knocked out in the Round of 16.
==== Hungary (1950–1956) ==== {{Main|Golden Team}}
Between 1950 and 1956, the team recorded 42 victories, 7 draws and just one defeat, in the 1954 World Cup final against West Germany. Under the Elo rating system they achieved the highest rating recorded by a national side (2230 points, 30 June 1954.
The team was built around a core of six key players: forwards Ferenc Puskás, Sándor Kocsis and Zoltán Czibor, defensive midfielder József Bozsik, and goalkeeper Gyula Grosics, all Kispest Honvéd players, as well as MTK offensive midfielder Nándor Hidegkuti.
==== Italy (1998–2006) ==== {{Expand section|date=November 2024}} The generation of Italian players during the late 1990s and early 2000s was renowned for an elite defense, most notably consisting of Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Gianluca Zambrotta, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Other key players included Alessandro Del Piero, Christian Vieri, Francesco Totti, Filippo Inzaghi, Gennaro Gattuso, and Andrea Pirlo.<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 September 2015|title=Top 15 Golden Generations In Soccer History|url=https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-15-golden-generations-in-soccer-history/|access-date=30 June 2021|website=TheSportster|language=en-US}}</ref>
This group of players reached their first major final at UEFA Euro 2000, losing to France in extra time.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Guardian Staff|date=2 July 2000|title=France 2 – 1 Italy|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jul/02/euro2000.sport6|access-date=30 June 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> After a round of 16 elimination at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and a group stage exit at UEFA Euro 2004, both under controversial circumstances,<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 May 2018|title=World Cup stunning moments: Italy shocked by South Korea in 2002 |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/01/world-cup-25-stunning-moments-italy-south-korea|access-date=30 June 2021|website=The Guardian|first=Nicky|last=Bandini|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=23 June 2004|title=Italy angry at rivals' draw|language=en-GB|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/italy/3832143.stm|access-date=30 June 2021}}</ref> they would win the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Italy's fourth ever title at the tournament.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 July 2006|title=Zidane off as Italy win World Cup|language=en-GB|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991652.stm|access-date=30 June 2021}}</ref>
After Italy's win in 2006 the team begin suffering poor results including being eliminated at the Euro 2008 quarterfinals and suffering group stage eliminations in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
==== Portugal (2000–2006, 2016–present) ==== {{Expand section|date=November 2024}} Portugal won consecutive FIFA Youth Championships in 1989 and 1991. Subsequently, Portugal's senior team reached the semi-finals of Euro 2000 and were runners-up at Euro 2004 on home soil. They were also 2006 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists.<ref>{{cite news|title= 'Golden Generation' Must First Beat World Champion France : Can Portugal Go the Full Distance?|work= The New York Times|date=28 June 2000|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/28/sports/28iht-soccer.2.t_21.html|first=Rob|last=Hughes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/2000/euro2000/news/2000/06/02/por_mainfeature_ap/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020208074123/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/2000/euro2000/news/2000/06/02/por_mainfeature_ap/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=8 February 2002 | work=CNN | title=Figo and Co. aim to fulfill Portugal's promise at Euros}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/soccer/07/04/port.rdp/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040803123234/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/soccer/07/04/port.rdp/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=3 August 2004 | work=CNN | title=SI.com – Soccer – Portugal's golden generation just misses glory – 4 July 2004 | date=4 July 2004}}</ref> Some critics have written that this generation underachieved at international level.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=373269&root=worldcup&&cc=5739|title= Portugal vs. France preview|work= ESPN|access-date= 7 August 2008|archive-date= 12 October 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121012233100/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=373269&root=worldcup&&cc=5739|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/portugal/808269.stm|title= Golden boys ready to shine|work= BBC|date= 27 June 2000}}</ref> It included players such as Luís Figo, Rui Costa, Ricardo Carvalho, Pauleta, Nuno Gomes, João Pinto, Paulo Sousa, Maniche, Simão, Paulo Ferreira, Costinha, Deco, and a young Cristiano Ronaldo.
After their success in Euro 2016 beating France in the final, a new generation of players were progressing through the ranks of Europe mainly through the Primera Liga. They won the inaugural UEFA Nations League and 2024–25 UEFA Nations League beating the Netherlands in the final and Spain in the final on penalties. In addition to Ronaldo, this new generation of players includes Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, João Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leao, Diogo Jota, João Felix, Diogo Costa, Ruben Neves, Diogo Dalot, Raphaël Guerreiro, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Vitinha, João Palhinha, Gonçalo Ramos and Pedro Neto.
====Russia (2008-2018)====
After failing to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Russia surprised many by reaching the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2008, beating the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. The Russian squad featured Andrey Arshavin, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Yuri Zhirkov. All of them went on to play for EPL clubs. With Arshavin finishing 6th at 2008 Ballon d'Or<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le classement 2008 : France Football |url=http://www.francefootball.fr/FF/breves2008/20081202_031616_le-classement-du-ballon-d-or-2008.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217003758/http://www.francefootball.fr/FF/breves2008/20081202_031616_le-classement-du-ballon-d-or-2008.html |archive-date=2008-12-17 |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=www.francefootball.fr}}</ref>
The success did not last, with the team failing to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Manager Guus Hiddink was outed shortly after. But neither with Dick Advocaat, nor Fabio Capello Russia never made it past the group stage in the following three tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Torrie |first=John |date=2020-05-31 |title=Golden generation or missed opportunity: should Russia’s 2008 side have achieved more? |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2020/06/01/golden-generation-or-missed-opportunity-should-russias-2008-side-have-achieved-more/ |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=These Football Times |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Russia reached the quarter-finals at 2018 FIFA World Cup while beating Spain on penalties. That team consisted of 2008 players such as Igor Akinfeev who saved the decisive penalty, and Sergei Ignashevich. Also included brand new talents such as Aleksandr Golovin, Artem Dzyuba, Aleksei Miranchuk, and Denis Cheryshev who was featured in the team of the tournament<ref>{{Cite news |last=FIFA.com |title=2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - News - Kane crowned King, Mina the PPG VIP - FIFA.com |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/kane-crowned-king-mina-the-ppg-vip |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502105211/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/kane-crowned-king-mina-the-ppg-vip |archive-date=2019-05-02 |access-date=2026-05-02 |work=www.fifa.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
====Spain (2006–2014, 2021-Present)==== {{expand section|date=August 2018}} After the 2006 FIFA World Cup Spain began focusing on new skills and new techniques for the team. Spain began a winning streak from 2006 through 2009 along with the Spanish players this generation of players playing a unique brand of football at the time, with tiki-taka helping them dominate world football for years.
This golden generation was filled with players most notably including, Iker Casillas, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol,Cesc Fàbregas, Sergio Busquets, David Villa, Fernando Torres, Gerard Piqué, Xabi Alonso David Silva and Jordi Alba, and helped Spain win the UEFA European Championship in 2008 and 2012, and the FIFA World Cup in 2010, making them the first team ever to win the World Cup and both continental championships either side of it. They also reached the final of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-rise-and-fall-of-spains-golden-generation|title=The rise and fall of Spain's golden generation|publisher=Sportskeeda|first=Mahir|last=Tajwar|date=4 July 2016|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> During this time, Spain dominated the FIFA World Rankings, topping the rankings almost uninterrupted for six years, between July 2008 and July 2014 when Spain officially ended their generation at the 2014 FIFA World Cup after suffering a disastrous group stage elimination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association=esp/men/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219143808/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association=esp/men/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 February 2015|title=FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking: Spain|publisher=FIFA|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref>
During the delayed UEFA Euro 2020, Spain under Luis Enrique reached the semi-finals, narrowly losing to eventual champions Italy on penalties. Led by veterans such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Álvaro Morata, Spain also saw the rise of young talents including Unai Simón, Rodri, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Fabián Ruiz, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Ferran Torres, before finishing runners-up in the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals and suffering a Round of 16 exit to Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, leading to Enrique’s departure and Busquets’ international retirement. Under new manager Luis de la Fuente, Spain evolved further, and the core was transformed by the breakthrough of the Euro 2024 additions—especially Lamine Yamal, alongside key reinforcements Nico Williams, Mikel Merino, and Marc Cucurella—with Yamal standing out as a generational talent who became central to Spain’s attacking identity<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lamine Yamal shines at Euro 2024, but the big names struggle |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/lamine-yamal-shines-euro-2024-big-names-struggle |access-date=2026-05-14 |website=www.foxsports.com |language=en-US}}</ref>, as they went on to win UEFA Euro 2024, defeating opponents with decisive goals from Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal, while Yamal’s influence defined the tournament’s breakthrough narrative as he later won the Golden Boy, alongside Dani Olmo’s Golden Boot and Rodri’s Golden Ball and that years Ballon d’Or, before Spain reached the 2025 UEFA Nations League Finals, eventually losing to Portugal on penalties after further squad development including Dean Huijsen and Martín Zubimendi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spain surge back to first place in FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking amid top 10 shake-up |url=https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men/news/coca-cola-mens-world-ranking-september-2025-spain-top |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260505213014/https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men/news/coca-cola-mens-world-ranking-september-2025-spain-top |archive-date=2026-05-05 |access-date=2026-05-14 |website=inside.fifa.com |language=en}}</ref>
====Sweden (1948–1958)==== The late 1940s and 1950s was the golden era in Swedish football when the Sweden men's national football team achieved unprecedented results. They participated in two World Cups and two Olympic Games and did win a medal every time, each time under English coach George Raynor. It started in 1948 Summer Olympics when Sweden won every game and beat Yugoslavia with 3–1 in the final. Striker Gunnar Nordahl was the tournament top scorer and was recruited by italian giants AC Milan. Nordahl was later joined by Gunnar Gren and Nils Liedholm where the trio was named Gre-No-Li.
The Swedish FA had a strict amateur policy and did not allow professional players in the national team but Sweden still managed to end up with a bronze medal in 1950 World Cup. After this more players from Sweden like Hasse Jeppson, Karl-Erik Palmér, Stig "Vittjärv" Sundqvist and Lennart "Nacka" Skoglund ended up in European clubs, mostly in Italy. 1952 Summer Olympics resulted in a new bronze medal but without their top players, Sweden could not qualify for the 1954 World Cup.
Since Sweden was hosting the 1958 World Cup, the team was automatically qualified. After poor results ahead of the tournament, Swedish FA finally allowed professional players and the World Cup squad contained Nils Liedholm, Kurt Hamrin, Arne Selmosson, Lennart "Nacka" Skoglund and Bengt "Julle" Gustavsson along with former professional Gunnar Gren. The World Cup ended with a silver medal after a defeat against Brazil in the final game. Key players like Agne Simonsson and Orvar Bergmark was later sold abroad but this was the end of a golden era and Sweden did not participate in any championships during the 1960s.
====Yugoslavia (1987–1992)==== Yugoslavia's generation of young footballers won the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship and finished runner-up at the 1990 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. The nation then reached the quarter-finals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup and, a year later, a Red Star Belgrade team featuring many of the national team's stars became the first Yugoslav side to ever win the European Cup. Yugoslavia qualified for UEFA Euro 1992 with seven wins from eight matches and the best goalscoring record and goal difference of any team during the qualifying phase. However, the team was disqualified prior to the tournament due to the Yugoslav Wars (it was replaced by the eventual champion, Denmark) and did not play together again after the country's division. Several players from the Yugoslav team went on to finish in third place at the 1998 World Cup with Croatia.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/world-cup-2010/writers/jonathan_wilson/07/01/yugoslavia.1990/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140618073243/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/world-cup-2010/writers/jonathan_wilson/07/01/yugoslavia.1990/|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 June 2014|title=Osim recalls what might have been for a brilliant Yugoslavia in 1990|date=1 July 2010|access-date=18 June 2014|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/england/2953134.stm|title=Serbia & Montenegro's new dawn|date=31 May 2003|access-date=18 June 2014|work=BBC}}</ref> This pre-dissolution golden generation in soccer was also mirrored by a golden generation of Yugoslav basketball that won the 1990 FIBA World Championship. Notable players from this generation include Alen Bokšić, Robert Prosinečki, Igor Štimac, Robert Jarni, Dejan Savićević, Predrag Mijatović, Siniša Mihajlović, Davor Šuker, Zvonimir Boban and Vladimir Jugović.
==== Netherlands (1974–1978, 1988–1992, 1994–2000, 2004–2014) ==== {{Expand section|date=November 2024}}
The Netherlands are widely regarded as unique in international football for producing four distinct Golden Generations across different eras, a phenomenon seldom observed at the highest level. Rather than being defined solely by sustained success or the accumulation of major trophies, Dutch football has been characterised by recurring cycles of elite player development, each underpinned by a consistent tactical and philosophical foundation. Rooted in the principles of Total Football developed by Rinus Michels and popularised by Johan Cruyff, the Netherlands has repeatedly regenerated world-class squads built on technical proficiency, positional fluidity and collective intelligence.
Although these generations can be distinguished by their core players and tournament cycles, there is also a degree of continuity between them—most notably between the late 1980s and the end of the 1990s. The teams of UEFA Euro 1988 and UEFA Euro 2000 are often seen as part of a broader period of sustained competitiveness, meaning the Netherlands’ history can also be interpreted as three extended eras rather than four strictly separate generations.
thumb|Johan Cruyff, often considered the greatest Dutch player of all time
'''1974–1978'''<br> The 1970s are widely regarded as the pinnacle of Dutch football, representing the peak of a broader “golden decade” in which the Netherlands fundamentally reshaped the sport. This period was defined by the revolutionary concept of Total Football, pioneered by coach Rinus Michels and executed on the pitch by Johan Cruyff. Although the Oranje’s greatest international achievements came between 1974 and 1978, the foundations of this success were laid earlier in the decade, as Dutch football developed a coherent tactical identity built on positional interchange, technical versatility and collective intelligence.
The "Oranje" rose to global prominence by reaching consecutive finals at the 1974 FIFA World Cup and the 1978 FIFA World Cup, facing West Germany national football team in 1974 and Argentina national football team in 1978, the latter surrounded by controversy regarding political influence. The 1974 campaign in particular left a lasting legacy, with the Netherlands captivating audiences through dominant performances and fluid attacking play, despite ultimately falling short in the final.
This international success coincided with a period of dominance by Dutch clubs in Europe, reflecting the same tactical principles. Feyenoord won the 1969-70 European Cup and Intercontinental Cup, followed by AFC Ajax securing three consecutive European Cup titles between 1971 and 1973, providing the structural foundation for the national team’s rise.
Alongside Cruyff, this side featured players such as Piet Keizer, Willem van Hanegem, Johnny Rep, Ruud Krol and Johan Neeskens, who were integral to the system’s execution. The Oranje also reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 1976, showing that they were above expectations for these times, although they did not manage to secure a major international trophy.
[[File:Huldiging Nederlands elftal na Europees kampioenschap 1988 te Munchen in Amsterd, Bestanddeelnr 934-2755.jpg|thumb|left|Captain Ruud Gullit lifting the Euro 1988 trophy, during celebrations in Amsterdam]] '''1988–1992'''<br> A new Golden Generation emerged in the late 1980s, defined by technical excellence and attacking fluidity, with forwards such as Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Wim Kieft and Gerald Vanenburg. They were supported by a highly intelligent midfield featuring Jan Wouters, Frank Rijkaard, Arnold Mühren and Erwin Koeman, while a solid defence included players like Sjaak Troost, free-kick specialist Ronald Koeman and full-backs Berry van Aerle & Adri van Tiggelen. Under the management of Rinus Michels, this generation reached its peak by winning the UEFA Euro 1988 in style, highlighted by Van Basten’s iconic volley in the final against the Soviet Union.
This side combined technical refinement with a more structured tactical framework than their 1970s predecessors, reflecting both continuity and adaptation within Dutch football’s evolving philosophy. The Oranje remained a major force in the immediate years that followed, reaching the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 1992, where they were narrowly eliminated by Denmark on penalties despite entering the tournament as defending champions.
However, this cycle was relatively short-lived. Injuries and the decline of key figures—most notably Van Basten—brought this generation to an early close, marking the end of a highly influential team that delivered the Netherlands’ only major international trophy.
'''1994–2000'''<br> Following the decline of the Euro 1988 generation, a subsequent cohort emerged in the mid-1990s, built around a new core of technically gifted and tactically versatile players such as Dennis Bergkamp, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert and Marc Overmars, complemented by defensive leaders including Frank de Boer and Jaap Stam. While maintaining the Netherlands’ traditional emphasis on attacking football and positional intelligence, this side exhibited greater physicality and a more direct style of play.
The Oranje re-established itself among the world’s elite by reaching the quarter-finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, before achieving a peak at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals, ultimately losing to Brazil on penalties after a closely contested encounter. This period culminated in UEFA Euro 2000, co-hosted by the Netherlands, where the team produced some of the tournament’s most dominant performances, only to be eliminated in the semi-finals by Italy on penalties despite controlling large portions of the match.
Although composed of a largely different group of players, this generation maintained a clear stylistic and competitive continuity with its predecessor, forming part of a broader period in which the Netherlands remained consistently among the strongest teams in international football. Despite being widely regarded as one of the most talented squads of its era, it ultimately fell short of securing a major international title.
'''2004–2014'''<br> From 2004 to 2014, often regarded as the Netherlands’ third Golden Generation, the Oranje saw a revival built on a mix of attacking flair and increasing tactical discipline. Emerging stars such as Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie formed the core of a talented generation, supported by experienced players like Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Mark van Bommel.
thumb|Dutch national team moments before kick-off of the 2010 World Cup final After reaching the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2004 and impressing at UEFA Euro 2008, the Oranje, under Bert van Marwijk, adopted a more pragmatic style that led them to the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they narrowly lost to Spain. The run to the final is often considered the peak of this generation, with some observers viewing it as the natural endpoint of the team’s cycle, while the post-2012 side is seen as a partial renewal rather than a full continuation. However, the retention of a core group of players and the team’s renewed success under Louis van Gaal at the 2014 FIFA World Cup provide justification for extending this generation to 2014. Following a disappointing group-stage exit at UEFA Euro 2012, a rejuvenated side coached by Van Gaal achieved a third-place finish at the 2014 World Cup, highlighted by a dominant 5–1 victory over Spain and strong performances from both established stars and emerging talents like Memphis Depay.
This era was defined by a more balanced approach, combining individual attacking quality with greater tactical discipline, and marked the Netherlands’ most successful World Cup campaign since the 1970s.
Across these periods, the Netherlands’ Golden Generations have been defined less by the accumulation of major trophies than by their lasting influence on the development of football. While each generation differed in style and composition, they shared a common foundation in technical quality, tactical intelligence and an emphasis on attacking play. From the innovation of the 1970s to the more structured and pragmatic approaches of later teams, Dutch football has consistently adapted its core principles to new contexts. Despite limited international silverware, these generations are widely regarded as having had a disproportionate impact on the evolution of the modern game.
===Africa=== ==== Egypt (2006–2010) ====
Egypt's Golden Generation won three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations and beat Ivory Coast's Golden Generation in the Final of the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and Algeria's growing Golden Generation in the semi-final of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, they also did one of the best performances in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup because they almost tied with Brazil in the opening match, won at the time World Champions Italy 1–0, and only losing to the United States. However, due to Egypt losing 1–0 in the tiebreaking play-off against Algeria,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Egypt versus Algeria: Inside the storm - CNN.com |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/11/20/egypt.algeria.inside.story/ |access-date=7 March 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> they failed to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Key players are Mohamed Aboutrika, Essam El Hadary, Gedo, Hossam Hassan, Mohamed Zidan, and Ahmed Hassan, this generation was led by Hassan Shehata who is considered to be the greatest Egyptian national football team manager.
==== Algeria (1980–1991; 2014-2022) ==== The Algerian team of the 1980s has been dubbed the "golden generation", or the "first golden generation" of Algerian football. In fact, the team included the likes of Lakhdar Belloumi, Rabah Madjer, Tedj Bensaoula, Mustapha Dahleb, Ali Fergani and Mehdi Cerbah, later joined by the likes of Moussa Saïb and Cherif Oudjani. This squad is mainly known for its first two appearances at the World Cup. On its debut in 1982, they surprised everyone by beating reigning European champions West Germany 2–1. After a 0–2 loss against Austria, they won their second ever game against Chile. However, the desert foxes would fail to qualify after Germany later beat Austria 1–0, in extremely dubious circumstances, in a game dubbed, the "Disgrace of Gijón".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/history/newsid_2006000/2006702.stm|title=1982: Algeria shock the world|work=bbc.com |date=27 May 2002 |access-date=20 February 2025 |archive-date=8 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208065109/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/history/newsid_2006000/2006702.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> This game prompted FIFA to schedule the last group games of future World Cups at the same time to avoid any potential match-fixing case.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.algeria.com/blog/the-game-that-changed-the-world-cup-algeria |title=The Game that Changed the World Cup – Algeria |work=algeria.com |access-date=17 February 2025 |archive-date=10 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910220511/http://www.algeria.com/blog/the-game-that-changed-the-world-cup-algeria |url-status=live }}</ref> Algeria appeared at the next World Cup. However, drawn in a tough group together with Brazil and Spain, they only managed to grab one point, a 1–1 draw against Northern Ireland. On their second game, they held off Brazilian attackers until the 66th minute, the longest any team would manage at the tournament. On the continental scene, Algeria reached the semi-finals of 5 out of 6 AFCONs, winning the 1990 edition on home soil against Nigeria, which had previously knocked them out in 1980 and 1988. Their last achievement would be the 1991 Afro-Asian Cup against Iran.
The Algeria side that reached the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup is often regarded as the “second golden generation” of Algerian football, following the iconic teams of the 1980s. Led by players such as Madjid Bougherra, Sofiane Feghouli, Islam Slimani, Yacine Brahimi, and goalkeeper Raïs M'Bolhi, Algeria produced one of the nation’s greatest World Cup campaigns, famously pushing eventual champions Germany to extra time before narrowly losing in the Round of 16. After a difficult period that included failure to qualify for another World Cup and a disappointing group-stage exit at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria experienced a resurgence under coach Djamel Belmadi. With stars such as Riyad Mahrez, Ismaël Bennacer, Youcef Belaïli, and Baghdad Bounedjah, Algeria won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and later captured the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup with a squad largely composed of A’ team players and footballers based in Middle Eastern leagues, cementing the era as one of the most successful periods in modern Algerian football history.
However, this period would not last long as the senior team crashed out of the group stage of the following AFCON, ending a 35-game unbeaten streak,<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 January 2022|title=AFCON 2021: Champions Algeria eliminated in group stages|url=https://citisportsonline.com/2022/01/20/afcon-2021-champions-algeria-eliminated-in-group-stages/|access-date=23 January 2022|website=Citi Sports Online|language=en-US|archive-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123014123/https://citisportsonline.com/2022/01/20/afcon-2021-champions-algeria-eliminated-in-group-stages/|url-status=live}}</ref> and failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in controversial circumstances.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Eurosport |date=29 March 2022 |title=Toko Ekambi scores sensational winner to send Cameroon to World Cup |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=629214 |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=espn.com |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203034005/https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=629214 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |agency=Reuters |date=31 March 2022 |title=Algeria Appeal to FIFA for World Cup Play-Off Against Cameroon to be Replayed Over 'Scandalous' Refereeing Decisions |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup-qualification-caf/2022/algeria-appeal-to-fifa-for-world-cup-play-off-against-cameroon-to-be-replayed-over-scandalous-refere_sto8867587/story.shtml |access-date=17 February 2025 |website=eurosport.com}}</ref>
==== Ivory Coast (2006–2015) ==== {{Expand section|date=November 2024}} Despite winning the 1992 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the country saw an outpour of talent during the first half of the 2000s (decade). The majority of this generation consisted of talented players who enjoyed considerable success in Europe. Led by Didier Drogba (who is also the national team's highest ever goalscorer), several other players found contracts in the biggest football stages in the world, such as brothers Yaya and Kolo Touré, Didier Zokora, Emmanuel Eboué, Cheick Tioté, Gervinho and Salomon Kalou. During this period, Ivory Coast managed its first FIFA World Cup appearances in 2006, 2010 and 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/ivory-coast-les-elephants-world-cup-2014-barzil-didier-drogba-yaya-toure/|title=Last hurrah for Ivory Coast's Golden Generation|date=26 May 2014|access-date=29 May 2014|work=Sportsnet}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/ivory-coast/10589548/World-Cup-2014-Time-for-Ivory-Coasts-ageing-golden-generation-to-finally-make-an-impact-on-the-world-stage.html|title=World Cup 2014: Time for Ivory Coast's ageing golden generation to finally make an impact on the world stage|date=22 January 2014|access-date=29 May 2014|work=The Telegraph}}</ref> They also won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, as well as, reaching the finals in 2006 and 2012.
==== Morocco (2020–present) ==== {{Expand section|date=August 2025}} Morocco made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals, with a remarkable run built on defensive discipline and strong team unity under coach Walid Regragui. Their squad was anchored by standout players such as goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, full-backs Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi, midfield engine Sofyan Amrabat, and creative leader Hakim Ziyech, all of whom played key roles in their historic campaign. With the addition of Brahim Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi, Ismael Saibiri and Neil El Aynaoui, They later continued their rise in African football by being crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with the final against Senegal decided in controversial circumstances after Senegal were unable to complete the match. Morocco’s success also extended to youth football, as they captured the Bronze Medal at the 2024 Olympics and the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, becoming the first African nation to win the tournament and further establishing themselves as one of the continent’s emerging football powers.
===South America===
==== Brazil (1958–1970,1982-1986, 1994–2006) ====
'''1958-1970''' At the 1958 FIFA World Cup, Brazil were drawn into a group alongside England, the Soviet Union, and Austria. Led by stars such as captain Hilderaldo Bellini, Mário Zagallo, Vavá, Zito, Garrincha, and the emerging teenage sensation Pelé, Brazil opened their campaign with a 3–0 victory over Austria before being held to a goalless draw by England. Ahead of the decisive match against the Soviet Union, coach Vicente Feola made three pivotal changes to the lineup, introducing Zito, Garrincha, and Pelé — a decision that proved instrumental in Brazil’s 2–0 victory. From the opening whistle, Brazil applied relentless pressure, and after just three minutes — later described as “the greatest three minutes in the history of football” — Vavá opened the scoring and later completed a brace. The victory secured Brazil top spot in Group 4. thumb|The Brazilian team celebrating their first World Cup title. In the quarter-finals, Pelé scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Wales, becoming the youngest player ever to score at a World Cup. Brazil then faced France in the semi-finals, overcoming a side led by tournament top scorer Just Fontaine and Ballon d’Or winner Raymond Kopa, with Pelé netting a hat-trick in a 5–2 win. In the final against hosts Sweden, Brazil claimed their first World Cup title with a 5–2 victory, inspired by braces from Pelé and Vavá, along with a goal from Zagallo.
At the 1962 FIFA World Cup, Brazil began their campaign in impressive fashion, with Pelé scoring once and providing an assist in a 2–0 victory over Mexico. However, disaster struck in their second group-stage match — a goalless draw against Czechoslovakia — when Pelé tore a muscle while attempting a shot, ruling him out for the remainder of the tournament. With their star player sidelined, Garrincha assumed the responsibility of leading Brazil’s attack and emerged as the team’s driving force. In the quarter-finals against England, Garrincha scored twice and assisted Vavá in a 3–1 victory. He followed this performance with another brace in the semi-finals against hosts Chile, while Vavá also scored twice in a thrilling 4–2 win. Brazil advanced to the final for a rematch against Czechoslovakia and secured their second consecutive World Cup title with a 3–1 victory. The triumph made Brazil only the second nation in history to successfully defend the World Cup. thumb|Pelé celebrating the World Cup win in 1970. After a disappointing 1966 FIFA World Cup campaign, in which Pelé suffered injuries and Brazil were eliminated in the group stage, Brazil returned in spectacular fashion to win their third World Cup title at the 1970 tournament in Mexico. The squad assembled for the competition is widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in football history, led by Pelé in his final World Cup appearance alongside captain Carlos Alberto Torres, Jairzinho, Tostão, Gérson, and Rivellino. Although Garrincha had retired, Brazil remained an unstoppable force. Brazil won all six of their matches during the tournament, defeating Czechoslovakia, England, and Romania in the group stage before overcoming Peru, Uruguay, and Italy in the knockout rounds. Their attacking football captivated audiences around the world and cemented the team’s legendary status. Jairzinho finished as the tournament’s second-highest scorer with seven goals and became the only player in World Cup history to score in every match of a single tournament, while Pelé contributed four goals and six assists, performances that earned him the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
'''1982–1986'''
Between 1982 and 1986, Brazil entered what is widely remembered as a golden generation that, never managed to win the World Cup. Led by the duo of Zico and Sócrates, alongside talents such as Falcão and Éder, this team is often regarded as one of the greatest sides in football history. At the 1982 World Cup in Spain, Brazil had victories over the Soviet Union, Scotland, and New Zealand. However, in the second group stage, they were eliminated after a 3–2 defeat to Italy in a match that has since become legendary. Four years later, at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Brazil again impressed, with Zico returning from injury to inspire the team alongside Sócrates, Careca, and others. They advanced to the quarter-finals after a group stage and a penalty shootout win over France, but were ultimately knocked out by France once more in another penalty shootout.
'''1994-2006'''
From 1994 onward, Brazil re-established themselves as one of the dominant forces in world football after winning the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. In a tense final against Italy, the match ended goalless after extra time, with Brazil prevailing 3–2 on penalties after Roberto Baggio famously missed the decisive spot-kick. Led by Romário, Bebeto, Dunga, and goalkeeper Cláudio Taffarel, Brazil ended a 24-year wait for a world title and confirmed their return to the top of international football. In the years that followed, Brazil remained highly competitive. They reached the 1995 Copa América final but lost to Uruguay on penalties, before bouncing back to win the 1997 Copa América, defeating Bolivia 3–1 in the final. They successfully defended their continental crown in 1999, beating Uruguay 3–0, with both Rivaldo and Ronaldo finishing as joint top scorers with five goals each, and Rivaldo being named Player of the Tournament.
The 1998 FIFA World Cup saw Brazil reach the final once again, but they were defeated 3–0 by hosts France, inspired by a dominant performance from Zinedine Zidane. Despite the loss, Ronaldo was named Player of the Tournament after scoring four goals and providing three assists throughout the competition. Brazil’s peak came in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where they won every match on their way to the title. The “3R” trio of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho led the team, scoring 8, 4, and 2 goals respectively. Brazil topped their group with wins over Turkey, Costa Rica, and China, then defeated Belgium, England, and Turkey in the knockout stages before beating Germany 2–0 in the final, with Ronaldo scoring both goals past Oliver Kahn. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 8 goals, sealing one of the most dominant World Cup campaigns in history.
Brazil continued their success by winning the 2004 Copa América, before entering the 2006 World Cup as favorites. However, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by France after a decisive goal from Thierry Henry. They rebounded again to win the 2007 Copa América, although the squad depth and overall quality were considered slightly lower than the star-studded generation between 1998 and 2006. This era featured some of the greatest players in football history, including Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Lúcio, Zé Roberto, Gilberto Silva, Dida, Adriano, and Robinho. Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Kaká each also won the Ballon d’Or during their careers, highlighting the extraordinary talent within this Brazilian generation.
==== Uruguay (2010–2014) ==== In 2010, however, a new generation of footballers, led by Luis Suárez, Diego Forlán and Edinson Cavani, formed a team considered to be Uruguay's best in the last four decades, catching international attention after finishing fourth in the 2010 World Cup. Uruguay opened the tournament with a goalless draw against France, followed by defeats of South Africa (3–0) in and Mexico (1–0) respectively, finishing at the top of their group with seven points. In the second round, they played South Korea, defeating them 2–1 with star striker Luis Suárez scoring a brace and earning Uruguay a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1970. Against Ghana, the match finished 1–1, forcing the game into extra-time. Both sides had their chances at extra time but Suárez blocked the ball with his hand in the penalty area, earning Suárez a red card and earning Uruguay universal scorn. Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent penalty, forcing the game to go into penalties where Uruguay would win 4–2, sending them into the last four. They played the Netherlands in the semi-finals but were beaten 3–2. For the third-place match, they played Germany, again losing 3–2. This placed Uruguay in fourth place for the tournament, their best result in 40 years. Diego Forlan was awarded the Player of The Tournament.
A year later, they won the Copa America for the first time in 16 years and broke the record for the most successful team in South America. Luis Suárez ended up as the Player of The Tournament. In the 2014 World Cup Uruguay was placed in Group D alongside Costa Rica, England, and Italy. They were upset by Costa Rica in the opening match, losing 3–1 despite taking the lead in the first half. They rebounded with a 2–1 victory over England, in which Suárez scored a brace right after coming back from an injury, and a 1–0 victory over Italy, placing them second in their group and earning a spot in the last 16. During the match against Italy, forward Luis Suárez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini on his left shoulder. Two days after the match, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee banned Suárez for nine international matches, the longest such ban in World Cup history, exceeding the eight-match ban handed to Italy's Mauro Tassotti for breaking the nose of Spain's Luis Enrique in 1994. Suárez was also banned from taking part in any football-related activity (including entering any stadium) for four months and fined CHF100,000 (approx. £65,700/€82,000/US$119,000). In the round of 16, Uruguay played Colombia but were beaten 2–0, eliminating them from the tournament.
==== Argentina (1978–1982, 1986–1994, 2019–present) ==== {{Expand section|date=November 2024}} After the 2018 FIFA World Cup, in which Argentina were eliminated in the round of 16 and sacked boss Jorge Sampaoli, Lionel Scaloni was hired and reached the semi-finals of the Copa America in 2019 before winning it in 2021 and 2024. Between 2019 and 2022, Argentina went on the second longest international unbeaten streak in history of 36 matches but the 2022 FIFA World Cup showed how much the Argentinian squad have improved by winning it. This core of players consisted of Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martinez, Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Otamendi, Paulo Dybala, Cristian Romero, Leandro Paredes, and later Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, and Enzo Fernandez.
====Chile (2007–2017)==== {{Expand section|date=November 2024}} The backbone of the Chile team which won back to back Copa América titles in 2015 and in 2016 came from the U-20 squad that finished third at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada (most notably Alexis Sánchez and Arturo Vidal). However, in 2017, they finished runners-up to Germany's B team at the Confederations Cup and then inexplicably failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, despite most of the squad being in the prime of their careers, following unexpected losses to Bolivia and Paraguay in qualification.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://remezcla.com/sports/chile-golden-generation-world-cup/|title=Chile's Golden Generation is over, as la Roja Fails to Qualify for the 2018 World Cup|date=11 October 2017}}</ref> Other notable players during this period include Claudio Bravo, Eduardo Vargas, Mark Gonzalez, Mauricio Isla, Jean Beausejour, Gary Medel, Charles Aránguiz and Gonzalo Jara.
====Colombia (2012–2018)==== The current Colombia team are considered as the "Second Golden Generation" of Colombia, in reference to Colombia's Golden Generation from the 1980s and 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/sport/brazil2014/2014/06/colombia-new-generation-born-2014613212422678440.html|title=Colombia's new generation is born|last=Rhys|first=Paul|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref> Star players James Rodríguez, Juan Cuadrado and Radamel Falcao helped the team reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup knockout stage after topping a group featuring Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan, winning all three games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/25285057|title=World Cup: Colombia 3–0 Greece|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/25285169|title=World Cup: Colombia 2–1 Ivory Coast|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/25455848|title=World Cup: Japan 1–4 Colombia|date=24 June 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> Colombia then beat Uruguay in the round of sixteen, before suffering a 1–2 defeat to host nation Brazil, in the quarter-finals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27952760|title=Colombia 2–0 Uruguay|date=28 June 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/28051801|title=Brazil 2–1 Colombia|date=4 July 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> James Rodríguez was the tournament top goalscorer; and Colombia earned the FIFA Fair Play Award.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://seecolombia.travel/blog/2014/07/colombia-golden-boot-fifa-fair-play-award/|title=Colombia Win Golden Boot and FIFA Fair Play Award|work=Colombia Travel Blog by See Colombia Travel|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> At the Copa América Centenario, Colombia won third place after beating the United States 1–0.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2016/jun/25/usa-v-colombia-copa-america-live|title=USA 0–1 Colombia: Copa América – as it happened|last=Hill|first=Tim|date=26 June 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Colombia were considered group favourites for Group H;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/13/colombia-world-cup-2018-team-guide-tactics-key-players-and-expert-predictions|title=Colombia World Cup 2018 team guide: tactics, key players and expert predictions|last=Manrique|first=Camilo|date=13 June 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/soccer/news/world-cup-2018-group-by-group-analysis-stats-predictions/15yj2iwd3xpek16zj6caiqc5zc|title=World Cup 2018: Group-by-group analysis, stats, player breakdowns and predictions|date=14 June 2018|work=Sporting News|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref> featuring Japan, Poland and Senegal.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/groups/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520184910/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/groups/|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 May 2014|title=2018 FIFA World Cup Russia|website=www.fifa.com|language=en-GB|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref> Following a 1–2 defeat to Japan in which they went down to 10-men in under five minutes, Colombia beat Poland 3–0 and later beat Senegal 1–0 to qualify as group winners.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2018/jun/19/colombia-v-japan-world-cup-2018-live-updates|title=Colombia 1–2 Japan: World Cup 2018 – as it happened|last=Murray|first=Scott|date=19 June 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2018/jun/24/poland-v-colombia-world-cup-2018-live|title=Poland 0–3 Colombia: World Cup 2018 – as it happened|last=Burnton|first=Simon|date=24 June 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2018/jun/28/world-cup-2018-senegal-v-colombia-live|title=Senegal 0–1 Colombia: World Cup 2018 – as it happened|last=Burnton|first=Simon|date=28 June 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> They were knocked out by England in the round of sixteen; losing on penalties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/11425264/colombia-1-1-england-3-4-on-penalties-eric-dier-spot-kick-sends-three-lions-into-quarter-fnals|title=Colombia 1–1 England (3–4 on penalties): Eric Dier spot-kick sends Three Lions into quarter-fnals|work=Sky Sports|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en}}</ref> Between June and August 2016, Colombia were ranked as 3rd in both FIFA and Elo ranking.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://colombiareports.com/colombia-rise-to-3rd-place-in-fifa-soccer-ranking/|title=Colombia rises to 3rd place in FIFA soccer ranking|date=4 July 2013|work=Colombia News {{!}} Colombia Reports|access-date=16 July 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Other key players from this generation include Carlos Sánchez, Fredy Guarín, Jackson Martínez, Cristián Zapata and Carlos Bacca.
=== North America ===
==== Canada (2020–present) ==== The golden generation of Canada's national team has been marked by the arrival of a generation of new young players, led by the first Canadian UEFA Champions League winner Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich, the most expensive Canadian soccer player in history, as well as Jonathan David, who joined Lille for €30 million in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 August 2020|title=Alphonso Davies wins UEFA Champions League title with Bayern|url=https://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/international-soccer/alphonso-davies-wins-uefa-champions-league-title|access-date=31 August 2021|website=The Province|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rouse|first=Daniel|date=11 August 2020|title=Lille make Jonathan David most expensive Canadian player ever|url=https://www.thescore.com/fra_fed/news/2000631|access-date=31 August 2021|website=theScore.com|language=en}}</ref> Other key players include Tajon Buchanan, the first ever Canadian international to play, and win, in Serie A with Inter Milan, Stephen Eustáquio, Ismaël Koné and Cyle Larin, the highest scoring Canadian player in La Liga.
In 2017, the Canadian Premier League was founded, the first fully professional soccer league in the country.
Canada ended 2021 40th in the FIFA World Rankings, its highest-ever position at the time, and earning the honour of "Most Improved Side" after having started the year 72nd. On 10 February 2022, Canada moved up to 33rd in the rankings.
On 27 March 2022, Canada finished top of the final qualification group in CONCACAF with the most goals scored and the fewest goals conceded, qualifying for its first World Cup in 36 years.
In 2024, Canada qualified for its first-ever Copa America. After finishing second in the group stages ahead of Peru and Chile, Canada won its quarter-final match against Venezuela on penalties. After losing to Argentina in the semi-finals, Canada faced Uruguay in the 3rd and 4th place match. Despite Canada leading the match, Uruguay managed to equalize in the 92nd minute and eventually won on penalties. Canada finished the 2024 Copa America in 4th place, the highest-placing CONCACAF team in the tournament.
Canada finished the 2024 calendar year as 31st in the FIFA World Rankings, its highest-ever position.
==== United States (2021–present) ==== After infamously failing to qualify during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification with an aging MLS-based team, a large influx of young new American soccer talent arose during the COVID-19 pandemic playing for top European clubs led by former Chelsea player Christian Pulisic, whose transfer to the club made him the most expensive North American player of all time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Law |first=Matt |date=2 January 2019 |title=Chelsea strike early in transfer window to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic for £57.6m |newspaper=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/01/02/chelsea-sign-borussia-dortmund-winger-christian-pulisic-576m/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/01/02/chelsea-sign-borussia-dortmund-winger-christian-pulisic-576m/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Key players include Giovanni Reyna, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun, Brenden Aaronson, Sergiño Dest, Yunus Musah, Timothy Weah, and Tyler Adams. The new young group has widely been described as America's golden generation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oide |first=Kendall Baker, Thomas |date=21 November 2022 |title=World Cup tests golden generation of U.S. men's soccer |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/11/21/usmnt-world-cup-qatar-golden-generation |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 December 2020 |title=USMNT golden generation? Why Pulisic, Reyna & Co. are on course to make a run at 2022 World Cup |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-usa/story/4256235/usmnt-golden-generation-why-pulisicreyna-and-co-are-on-course-to-make-a-run-at-2022-world-cup |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=American golden generation carrying big aspirations |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/usa-world-cup-qatar-2022-fixtures-coach-key-players |website=FIFA.com}}</ref>
This new group won the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League in 2021. The team set a U.S. men's program record for wins in a calendar year, with 17 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 December 2021 |title=U.S. Men's National Team Defeat Bosnia And Herzegovina 1–0 To Set Record For Wins In A Calendar Year With 17 |language=en |website=ussoccer.com |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2021/12/usmnt-defeat-bosnia-and-herzegovina-1-0-to-set-record-for-wins-in-a-calendar-year-with-17 |access-date=1 January 2022}}</ref> The group was the youngest squad in the world to qualify in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification at an average age of 23.8 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Berhalter Names 26 Player USMNT Roster For 2022 FIFA World Cup |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2022/11/berhalter-names-26-player-usmnt-roster-for-2022-fifa-world-cup |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=www.ussoccer.com |language=en}}</ref> During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the USMNT had the second-youngest squad of the tournament at an average age of 25, with Tyler Adams being the youngest captain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serrano |first=Rodrigo |date=15 November 2022 |title=The USMNT is the second youngest team at 2022 World Cup |url=https://en.as.com/soccer/the-usmnt-is-the-second-youngest-team-at-2022-world-cup-n/ |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=Diario AS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=20 November 2022 |title=Tyler Adams, named US captain, youngest at 2022 World Cup |url=https://nypost.com/2022/11/20/tyler-adams-named-us-captain-youngest-at-2022-world-cup/ |access-date=2 December 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023 the team defended their Nations League title and won the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League, conceding 0 goals in the finals.
In 2024, the U.S. crashed out of the group stages of the 2024 Copa America, behind Uruguay and Panama. The result has led some commentators to question whether this group of players is, in fact, a golden generation.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5620890/2024/07/07/usmnt-golden-generation-talent-data/ | title=This USMNT isn't a 'golden generation' – the data shows it lacks top-end talent | work=The New York Times | last1=Tenorio | first1=Paul | last2=Harris | first2=Thom | date=16 October 2024 }}</ref> This increased when the team lost to Panama again in the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2025 |title='Worried about the future of this USMNT' – Questions of 'Golden Generation' as Clint Dempsey reacts to 'two big failures' from Christian Pulisic & Co in 2026 World Cup countdown {{!}} Goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en/lists/worried-future-usmnt-questions-golden-generation-clint-dempsey-failures-christian-pulisic-2026-world-cup-countdown/blt157e368b27994496 |access-date=6 April 2025 |website=www.goal.com |language=en}}</ref>
===Asia=== ==== Australia (2005–2013) ==== In 2005, Australia qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, marking their first appearance at the tournament since 1974. Under experienced manager Guus Hiddink, the team sported talents such as Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Lucas Neill, and Tim Cahill. In Group F, the Socceroos finished second following a 3–1 victory over Japan before losing to Brazil 2–0 and drawing 2–2 with Croatia. Australia lost 1–0 to Italy in the ensuing Round of 16 match courtesy of a late Francesco Totti penalty. Lucas Neill observed if he did not concede a foul against Fabio Grosso, who won Italy's penalty, Australia would have "possibly gone on to the semi-finals of the World Cup"<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=GRVwVpFFpDA4XCHD&t=3101&v=8wmoSe6ohVQ&feature=youtu.be |title=Two Weeks in June |date=6 August 2017 |last=SocceroosHD |access-date=10 November 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref> had they defeated Ukraine who would have played them in the quarter-finals. Former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold believed that the 2006 team was "a once in my lifetime generation",<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=PhLl4KRbuXn09wWF&t=3260&v=8wmoSe6ohVQ&feature=youtu.be |title=Two Weeks in June |date=6 August 2017 |last=SocceroosHD |access-date=10 November 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref> with Guus Hiddink remarking "they deserved to get into at least one more round".<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Hiddink played dirty to lead Socceroos to the World Cup |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/how-hiddink-played-dirty-to-lead-socceroos-to-the-world-cup/boftqrpdp |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=SBS Sport |date=November 2015 |language=en}}</ref> The team's performance at the 2006 tournament remains Australia's joint-best finish at the FIFA World Cup. Australia later joined the Asian Football Confederation for stronger competition and a more equitable path to qualifying for future FIFA World Cups.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 June 2005 |title=Australia gets President's blessing to join AFC in 2006 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-06-17/australia-gets-presidents-blessing-to-join-afc-in/1595226 |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> With Graham Arnold as a caretaker coach, the team went on to compete in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where unconvincing performances led to a disappointing quarter-final exit against Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why arrogance was Australia's downfall at 2007 Asian Cup |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/why-arrogance-was-australias-downfall-at-2007-asian-cup/1r1ok9kis |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=SBS Sport |date=7 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref> That tournament was Mark Viduka's final outing for the national team. [[File:Australia-Japan line-up.svg|thumb|Australia's 2006 FIFA World Cup lineup against Japan]] In 2009, Football Australia established the ''National Football Curriculum'' with a focus on the Dutch style of play.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2009 |title=FFA launches blueprint for international success {{!}} Socceroos |url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/ffa-launches-blueprint-international-success |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=www.socceroos.com.au |language=en}}</ref> The curriculum, combined with the significant goodwill Australia's football executives expressed from Dutchman Guus Hiddink's tactical nous, led to Pim Verbeek's appointment as Socceroos head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 December 2007 |title=Pim Verbeek named new Socceroos coach {{!}} Socceroos |url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/pim-verbeek-named-new-socceroos-coach |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=www.socceroos.com.au |language=en}}</ref> Australia would cruise through qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, conceding just one goal in eight matches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Socceroos qualify for 2010 World Cup in style |url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2009/06/07/socceroos-qualify-for-2010-world-cup-in-style/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=The Roar |language=en-US}}</ref> Verbeek largely used the same group of players which featured in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and 2007 AFC Asian Cup campaigns. Verbeek criticised the quality of Australia's newly established A-League and was reluctant to select Australian-based players for the national team.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 February 2009 |title=Verbeek unleashes on 'hopeless' Socceroos pair |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-24/verbeek-unleashes-on-hopeless-socceroos-pair/1600102 |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> Despite a 1–1 draw against Ghana and a 2–1 victory over Serbia, Australia failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament due to poor goal difference from a heavy 4–0 loss against Germany. Verbeek left his post, with Holgier Osieck assuming the reins.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 October 2012 |title=German Holger Osieck named new Australia coach – ESPNFC |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=813474&sec=global&cc=5739 |access-date=10 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023093137/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=813474&sec=global&cc=5739 |archive-date=23 October 2012 }}</ref> Osieck led the team to the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final, losing 1–0 to Japan, before narrowly qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup after a series of poor performances.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 March 2013 |title=Socceroos drop to third in qualifying group |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-26/holman-heroics-save-socceroos-skins/4596080 |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCauley |first=Kim |date=11 September 2012 |title=Jordan Vs. Australia, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Final Score 2–1, Socceroos Abysmal |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2012/9/11/3316454/australia-vs-jordan-2014-world-cup-final-score-match-report-result |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=SBNation.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2012 |title=Analysis: Socceroos draw on fighting spirit to salvage what could prove a crucial point against Japan |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/analysis-socceroos-draw-on-fighting-spirit-to-salvage-what-could-prove-a-crucial-a-point-against-japan/news-story/da2278d30240862599aec4381a605e66 |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 June 2013 |title=2014 World Cup: Australia, Iran and South Korea qualify for Brazil |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22955857 |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> Under Osieck, the team suffered successive 6–0 friendly match defeats to Brazil and France, with Football Australia dismissing him to appoint Ange Postecoglou.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 September 2013 |title=Socceroos humiliated by classy Brazil |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-08/socceroos-handed-a-6-0-thrashing-by-brazil-in-international-fri/4944048 |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2013 |title=Socceroos thrashed 6–0 by France in international friendly nightmare |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-thrashed-60-by-france-in-international-friendly-nightmare-20131012-2velr.html |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> At this point, analysts were stating how the golden generation had stagnated, calling on a new group of players to feature for the Socceroos.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pender |first=Kieran |date=21 October 2013 |title=In defence of Lucas Neill |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/oct/21/lucas-neill-defence-socceroos-football |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2012 |title=Australia's reliance on foreign coaches means that there is no long-term plan for the Socceroos |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/australias-reliance-on-foreign-coaches-means-that-there-is-no-long-term-plan-for-the-socceroos/news-story/d9abcb7974723f64079dd8f5b884e79e |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=18 October 2013 |title=It's time for Australia to move on from the 'Golden Generation' |url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/10/18/its-time-for-australia-to-move-on-from-the-golden-generation/ |access-date=14 June 2015 |work=The Roar}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Aaron Timms |date=6 June 2014 |title=The Socceroos' golden generation: extraordinary in their ordinariness |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jun/06/the-socceroos-golden-generation-world-cup |access-date=14 June 2015 |work=the Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Craig Foster |date=21 July 2012 |title=Socceroos' golden generation has much to teach our youth |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-golden-generation-has-much-to-teach-our-youth-20120721-22gti.html |access-date=19 June 2015 |publisher=Smh.com.au}}</ref> Postecoglou took a relatively inexperienced Australian team to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton, who all featured in the qualification campaign leading up to the tournament, had recently retired or were not selected for the final squad.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 March 2014 |title=Socceroos' Golden Generation fall one by one to the sniper |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-golden-generation-fall-one-by-one-to-the-sniper-20140326-zqnd8.html |access-date=14 June 2015 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>
Many pundits attribute the team's success to the poor quality of the domestic National Soccer League (NSL), which forced players to move to European leagues to develop further. Following the Australian Government's 2003 Crawford Report, the NSL was dissolved in favour of the A-League. Mark Schwarzer disagreed with the establishment of a new league, arguing that players would become comfortable with remaining in Australia instead of challenging themselves in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schwarzer: Why the A-League is a hindrance to the Socceroos |url=https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/schwarzer-how-the-a-league-is-a-hindrance-to-the-socceroos-490677#:~:text=Socceroos%20legend%20Mark%20Schwarzer%20believes,Cups%20and%20two%20Asian%20Cups. |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=FTBL}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 January 2015 |title=Schwarzer says A-League an easy way out |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-12/schwarzer-says-a-league-easy-way-out/6013084 |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> Mark Viduka suggested that Football Australia did not focus on creating strong player academies and youth development sides attached to the A-League.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Optus Sport |url=https://sport.optus.com.au/videos/os7412/os7412-how-can-we-produce-better-quality-players-state-of-football |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=sport.optus.com.au}}</ref> Viduka rued the demise of the Australian Institute of Sport's football program, which other golden generation players Vince Grella, Mark Bresciano, Josh Kennedy and Brett Emerton attended.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 April 2020 |title=Australia must develop youth culture to find lasting football success |url=https://www.espn.com.au/football/story/_/id/37582960/australia-develop-youth-culture-find-lasting-football-success |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Critics have also argued that the ''National Football Curriculum'' has failed to develop the same calibre of players as Australia's golden generation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FFA National Football Curriculum in 2019: Ten years in review |url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/12/30/ffa-national-football-curriculum-in-2019-ten-years-in-review/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=The Roar |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Club Football=== ====Manchester United – Class of 92==== Defined by a group of 6 players who came through the Manchester United academy and won the FA Youth Cup together in 1992, the Class of 92 was a golden generation that won the Premier league 6 times during the 1990s and the Champions League in 1998–99.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribuna.com/en/news/manutd-2020-03-23-120-combined-trophies-class-of-92s-incredible-impact-at-old-trafford/|website=Tribuna.com|title=120 combined trophies: Class of '92's incredible impact at Old Trafford|date=23 March 2023|accessdate=20 February 2025}}</ref> The 6 players that defined the generation were David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unitedinfocus.com/news/who-are-the-class-of-92/|publisher=Unitedinfocus|title=Who are the Class of '92? Meet the 6 Manchester United academy stars who became club legends|author= Kieran Smith|date=7 March 2024|accessdate=20 February 2025}}</ref>
==Ice hockey==
===Sweden (1996–2006)=== Born in the early 1970s, the Swedish national ice hockey team had a golden generation of players that achieved great success in the NHL and eventually won gold at the 2006 Winter Olympics, beating Finland with 3–2 in the gold medal game.<ref>{{cite news|title= Henrik Lundqvist leads Sweden into World Cup of Hockey semifinal |work= The Star|date=24 September 2016|url= https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/world-cup/2016/09/24/henrik-lundqvist-leads-sweden-into-world-cup-of-hockey.html|access-date= 21 July 2018|first= Stephen|last= Whyno}}</ref> Future members of Hockey Hall of Fame Nicklas Lidström, Peter Forsberg, Mats Sundin and Daniel Alfredsson, along with Markus Näslund is the most famous players from the generation.
===Canada (2005–2016)=== Born in the mid-1980s, the Canadian national men's hockey team has had a golden generation which contributed to five consecutive IIHF World U20 Championships between 2005 and 2009, and subsequently won back-to-back gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, and gold at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.<ref>{{cite news|title= Team Canada's golden generation not going anywhere |work= The Globe and Mail|date=24 February 2014|url= https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/team-canadas-golden-generation-not-going-anywhere/article17062885/|access-date= 12 April 2014|first= James|last= Mirtle}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Golden generation leads Canadian men to Olympic hockey gold, again, in Sochi|work= National Post|date= 23 February 2014|url= https://nationalpost.com/sochi-2014/canada-vs-sweden-sochi-olympics-mens-hockey-gold-medal-game-live|access-date= 12 April 2014|first= Bruce|last= Arthur|archive-url= https://archive.today/20140223151705/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/02/23/canada-vs-sweden-sochi-olympics-mens-hockey-gold-medal-game-live/|archive-date= 23 February 2014|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= No doubting Canada's dominance |work= ESPN|date=23 February 2014|url= https://www.espn.com/olympics/winter/2014/icehockey/story/_/id/10505881/2014-sochi-olympics-canada-defense-first-mindset-delivers-win-ages|access-date= 12 April 2014|first= Pierre|last= LeBrun}}</ref> Twelve players have also won the Stanley Cup and six are members of the Triple Gold Club.
===Finland (2014–present)=== Born in the mid- to late 1990s, the Finland men's national ice hockey team has had a golden generation of young stars. Finland won the IIHF World U20 Championships in 2014, 2016 and 2019. In the 2016 NHL Draft, three of the top five picks were from Finland.<ref>{{cite news|title= How Finland has emerged as a hockey superpower|work= habseyesontheprize.com|date= 26 June 2016|url= https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2016/6/26/11916236/finland-finnish-hockey-prospect-player-development-draft-patrik-laine-jesse-puljujarvi-olli-juolevi|access-date= 8 October 2016|first= Patrik|last= Bexell|archive-date= 12 November 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034715/https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2016/6/26/11916236/finland-finnish-hockey-prospect-player-development-draft-patrik-laine-jesse-puljujarvi-olli-juolevi|url-status= dead}}</ref>
==Handball== ===Sweden 1990s and early 2000s – The Bengan boys=== Named after the nickname of their coach Bengt "Bengan" Johansson, the Swedish team won the 1994, 1998, 2000 and 2002 European Championships and the 1990 and 1999 World Championships. Having many of the best players in the world, including the 1990 World Player of the year, Magnus Wislander, Staffan Olsson, Stefan Lövgren, Ola Lindgren, Magnus Andersson, Tomas Svensson, Erik Hajas, Per Carlén and Ljubomir Vranjes they are widely considered one of the best national teams to ever exist.<ref>[https://www.expressen.se/sport/wislander-malskytt-i-sin-comeback/], expressen.se, retrieved 31 December 2012</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xn--hndbold-exa.nu/oversigt/2020/8/17/legends-bengan-boys|publisher=Mediano Håndbold|title=Håndbold Legends: Bengan Boys – Historiens ubetinget stærkeste kollektiv|first=Johan|last=Strange|language=da|accessdate=17 February 2025}}</ref>
===Denmark 1990s and early 2000s – The Iron Ladies=== The 1990s Denmark team, nicknamed the iron ladies or ''De Jernhårde Ladies'' in Danish<ref name=Jernhårde>{{cite news | url = https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/webfeature/jernharde | title = Dengang det blev sjovt at se kvindehåndbold | publisher = Danmarks Radio | date = 5 December 2015 | first1 = Casper Helweg | last1 = Christiansen | first2 = Morten | last2 = Top | access-date = 22 November 2018|language=da }}</ref> won three straight Olympics Gold medals in 1996, 2000 and 2004 and the 1997 World Championship. The team features some of the best handball players ever, including among others Anja Andersen, Lene Rantala and Camilla Andersen.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sport.tv2.dk/haandbold/2015-12-15-18-aar-siden-vm-guld-de-jernhaarde-ladies-hyldet-i-boxen|title=18 år siden VM-guld: De Jernhårde Ladies hyldet i Boxen|publisher=TV2 Danmark|first=Sanne|last=Jakobsen|date=15 December 2015|accessdate=17 February 2025|language=da}}</ref> The generation started with the hiring of Ulrik Wilbek as the head coach in 1991 and the silver medals at the 1993 World Championship.<ref name=Jernhårde /> The team sparked a cultural change in Denmark, where women's handball were considered unserious and amateurish to being an important part of Danish culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.information.dk/1999/06/livet-kort-herre-haandbold|publisher=Information|language=da|title=Er livet for kort til herre-håndbold?|first=Torben|last=Bille|date=2 June 1999|accessdate=17 February 2025|trans-title=Is life too short for men's handball?}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://jyllands-posten.dk/sport/ECE14036141/ole-eliasen-kaldte-livet-for-kort-til-kvindehaandbold-alligevel-endte-han-som-landstraener/ |publisher=Jyllands-Posten|language=da| title=Han kaldte livet er for kort til kvindehåndbold: Men som landstræner byggede han fundamentet til guldmedaljerne | date=21 June 2022 }}</ref>
===Croatia (1994–1996, 2003–2010)=== Croatia's first golden generation in handball emerged in the 1990s following Croatia's independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, highlighted by their bronze medal at the 1994 European Championship and silver medal at the 1995 World Championship. Their crowning achievement was the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. This period was defined by a core group of players, including many who had previously played for the Yugoslavian national team, and was cemented by coaches Zdravko Zovko and Velimir Kljaić and key players like Slavko Goluža, Zlatko Saračević, Patrik Ćavar, Alvaro Načinović and Goran Perkovac.
Croatia's second golden generation in handball emerged in the early 2000's following Croatia's seven-year massive decline after winning the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, the team was taken over by a known Croatian coach Lino Červar after their worst ever performance at the international scene in 2002 and in the span of 18 months they went from being the worst ranked team at the 2002 European Championship to being World Champions (2003) and Olympic Winners (2004). They finished fourth at the European Championship in 2004 and 2006 and the 2008 Olympics in Peking. The weakest result of this era was fifth ranked place at the 2007 World Championship in Germany. Combined with two gold medals, under Lino Červar they played four more finals (2005, 2008, 2009, 2010) losing all four to Spain, Denmark and their biggest ever rivals France twice. Lino Červar stepped down as the coach following third consecutive loss at the 2010 European Championship final, he was replaced by his assistant coach and former Croatian captain Slavko Goluža. The era is defined by legendary players like Ivano Balić, one of the world's best players, and features a squad that included many prominent athletes such as Slavko Goluža, Igor Vori, Blaženko Lacković, Denis Špoljarić, Mirza Džomba, Goran Šprem, Petar Metličić and Vlado Šola. In the later years following retirements of many experienced and older players, younger players started to arrive on the scene who had a big impact in upcoming years such as Domagoj Duvnjak, who'd later become one of the world's best players, Ivan Čupić, Zlatko Horvat, Marko Kopljar, Manuel Štrlek and Mirko Alilović.
==See also== *Dynasty (sports) *Golden age (metaphor)
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
Category:Cultural generations Category:Nicknamed groups of association football players Category:Nicknamed groups of Olympic competitors Category:Nicknamed groups of sportspeople