Eckel was part of the West German team that won the 1954 FIFA World Cup and achieved the "Miracle of Bern". During that tournament, Eckel became an important pillar of the successful West German team. The strength of the right side of Sepp Herberger's team was made possible due to Eckel's high defensive workrate and his passes, from which outside right Helmut Rahn and inside right Max Morlock benefitted enormously.