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The European and South American football federations, UEFA and CONMEBOL, have shared the destination of the World Cup trophy since its inception in 1930.
European teams are slightly out in front with 11 trophies; Germany (Four), Italy (Four), France (One), England (One) and Spain (One).
Three countries from South America have gone all the way in a World Cup final; Brazil (Five), Argentina (Two) and Uruguay (Two). It is probably fair to say that UEFA have had more recent success, with only two South American winners since 1990.
From the 32 nations that have already qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, what would the South American combined XI look like?
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Manager and Formation
Brazil manager Tite fills the role of manager after his stellar performance in getting the five-time winners to the finals in Russia with a couple of games to spare.
One loss from 19 games since taking over the role in the summer of 2016 represents an excellent start, not least because of the strength of the opposition in qualifying.
The team itself will line up in a slightly augmented 4-3-3, with a flat backline, a central defensive midfielder, Central midfielder and an attacking midfielder, and an advanced front three - this should make the most of the attacking talent that South America has to offer.
Goalkeeper
The spot between the sticks is between two Brazilians for me, but Ederson just about warrants his place in the XI ahead of Allison Becker, another quality goalkeeper, more so because he has been an integral part of a league-winning season for Manchester City.
Truth be told, apart from those two, South America is lacking in top-class goalkeepers, at least when compared to their European rivals.
Ederson has only conceded 26 goals in the Premier League this season, the least of any club in the English top flight, and has also had a hand in 16 clean sheets - not bad for a 24-year-old in his first season at a new club.
Substitute - Allison Becker
Defence
But when fit, Silva is unplayable. The Brazilian vice-captain has won five Ligue 1 titles in the last six years and has been included in plenty of Ligue 1 Team of the Seasons throughout his time in France.
A natural leader, Silva would add a wealth of experience and a calm head to any defence.Thiago Silva´s injury problems are well documented; the centre-back hasn´t broken 30 league appearances for PSG in the last few years.
Besides Silva, I think Diego Godín earns his place in this team for being rock solid for a number of years now.
Simeone´s Atletico Madrid do not concede many, and while he is surrounded by good quality players there, he is the captain and catalyst of all the good defensive work that Atletico produce.
Godín, like Silva, has been in his fair share of Team of the Season selections in both La Liga and the Champions League and has a habit of popping up with important goals.
Fabinho is kept out of the right-back position by Dani Alves, and while the decision between the two was difficult, Alves edges it, given his unparalleled experience.
Alves is a three-time Champions League winner and has won eight league titles with three different clubs.
At 34 years old, this is certainly the captain of Brazils last chance at getting his hands on a World Cup winners medal, but he is still more than capable of taking that chance.
Alex Sandro is coming off of an incredible season where is has cemented himself as one of the best left-sided players in the world, playing in various positions for Juventus.
However, I just can´t look beyond Marcelo for the LB position.
The three-time champion of Europe has five goals and eight assists this season, with a goal and an assist coming over two legs against Bayern in the semi-finals of the Champions League - the Rio de Janeiro native is a born winner and has the mentality for the big occasion.
Substitutes - Fabinho, Nicolas Otamendi, Naldo, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro
Midfield
Anchoring the midfield is a player who has established himself as an almost certain starter for Real Madrid - Casemiro.
The former Sao Paulo player experienced a revolution in his career after spending a year on loan at F.C Porto in the 2014/15 season. and since then, he hasn´t looked back.
Casemiro is tasked with a lot of the dirty work in front of the defence, but he has shown he is more than capable with the ball at his feet too.
The 26-year-old has seven goals and three assists this year, which is an admirable return for a player who is not afforded the freedom of those ahead of him.
In the Summer of 2013, then Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers bought Philippe Coutinho from Internazionale for just under €8.5m.
Fast forward five years and the Brazilian playmaker is starting to settle into life at F.C Barcelona after transferring for a fee worth up to €160m.
On one hand, we can see that as a reminder of how chaotic the transfer market has become; on the other hand, it shows much clubs are willing to do to sign a player of Coutinho's quality.
17 goals and 15 assists this season for both Liverpool and Barcelona is an excellent return, and although he may be played more in an offensive wide position, Coutinho is also extremely effective through the middle.
Paulo Dybala is versatile enough to on either wing or as a central striker, but in this team, he will play slightly ahead of the of Coutinho in central midfield.
Dybala has a serious eye for goal, as 21 goals in 30 Seria A games this season will attest to, but his return of seven assists this season does not do his playmaking ability justice.
The Argentinian's pace and exceptional passing make him a constant threat going forward, and at 24 years old, he can only get better.
Substitutes - Fernandinho, Paulinho, Alejandro Gómez
Attack
The left-wing position in this team, of course, belongs to Neymar. Although not everything looks rosy in Paris these days, with many reports indicating that Neymar is unsettled in the French capital.
The Brazilian has still managed to find the net 28 times in 30 appearances in all competitions and created a further 19 for teammates - not bad considering that he hasn´t played since being stretchered off the pitch against Marseille in February. An instant starter.
What can we say that hasn´t already been said before? Of course, Messi has to start on the right wing on this team. In the pantheon of being considered the greatest player to ever play the game, Messi not only breaks records but absolutely obliterates them instead.
381 goals in 415 games for Barcelona is simply astounding, as is his current personal record of nine La Liga championships and four Champions League winner medals - unstoppable, unplayable, unforgettable.
The central striking position poses a problem, in that there is almost too much-attacking talent in South America to choose from.
Sergio Aguero, Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain have all broken the 20 goal mark this year, and will all end the season with a league winners medal - three outstanding strikers. But for me, Edinson Cavani gets the starting spot.
Cavani was shoehorned out to the left wing when Ibrahimovic was the main man in Paris, and since then has had to deal with the Neymar show, and yet, his numbers keep improving.
An absolute nightmare for defenders with his strength, movement, and ability to turn half a chance into a goal, Cavani´s 38 goals and 12 assists this year mean he is the man to lead the line.
Substitutes - Willian, Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain, Mauro Icardi, Ángel di María
The Team
The back four is pure experience, those four players have been there and done that, and Ederson is showing the maturity beyond his years in goals.
Casemiro may have the biggest job on his hands, as the rest of the midfield is geared towards the more attacking side of the game.
The front three, well, apart from shoving Cristiano Ronaldo in there somewhere, I believe there is no more potent goal threat in the world. There is no doubt that this team would score goals - how many they would concede is another question!
