Weltmeister

Weltmeister is a German term meaning “world champion.” It is used to denote the holder of a world championship title in a wide range of sports and competitive disciplines. The word is formed from Welt (world) and Meister (master or champion). The feminine form is Weltmeisterin; the plural for male champions is Weltmeister, and for female champions Weltmeisterinnen. When referring to the event itself, the term Weltmeisterschaft denotes the world championship competition.

In practice, the term is applied to individuals or teams that have secured the world title in their sport. In football, for example, the national team that wins the FIFA World Cup is described as the Weltmeister. In other sports—such as chess, boxing, athletics, or motorsports—the reigning world champion is likewise called a Weltmeister, with the corresponding gendered forms used where appropriate. The concept encompasses both professional and amateur levels, wherever an official world championship exists, and it can denote current status as well as historical titles.

The term is closely linked to related phrases such as Weltmeisterschaft (the world championship event) and the English term world champion. In German-language usage, Weltmeister can refer to an individual champion or, more broadly, to champions as a group, while Weltmeisterin refers specifically to a female champion. The word is common in sports reporting, fan discourse, and formal titles within German-speaking countries.