What does it take for a country to be a footballing superpower? Consistent success is clearly the obvious answer, but look further and it takes years of grassroots development and the cohesive development of the footballing talent of a nation. The competitiveness and standard of the domestic league are vital of course, several countries may produce a golden generation but it takes a well-run league with capably run clubs and academies to make sure they can produce talent on a consistent basis.
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Spain and Germany are the two prime examples of footballing superpowers in their prime. Both these countries have endured prolonged periods of frustration and barren trophy spells but have persisted with their focus on youth development and academies and have reaped the rewards in recent times. Even the Italians and Brazilians, the other countries with a stunning array of success in international tournaments have consistently churned out talent.
In the Italian’s case, always well-schooled in the tactical school of thought and technically proficient and the Brazilians, free flowing and outrageously skillful, but one also needs to remember their most successful teams have been impeccably organised and resolute in equal measure.
France, Argentina, Uruguay and the Netherlands are other countries who’ve enjoyed success on the international stage. England, for all the limelight their players have often been in, have usually disappointed. In this piece, though, we look at the countries who have the potential of becoming the next footballing superpowers of the world.
1) Croatia
It’s clear that Croatia have no shortage of talent in their squad. Blessed with some of the best midfielders in the world, they now seem to consistently produce technically skilled and dynamic footballers who are seamlessly slotting into the best club sides in world football.
Already established players like Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Sime Vrsaljko, Tin Jedvaj and Andrea Kramaric are all under 25 and should find themselves a part of the national setup for several years to come. Marko Pjaca (21) and Ante Coric (19) are both catching the eye at Dinamo Zagreb and should be on their way to the best European clubs soon and when was the last time you could say that the Croatian national team had a midfield duo of the class of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic?
Croatia have begun to catch the eye at international tournaments, and if they begin to fulfill their potential, a consistent stretch of deep runs in the upcoming World Cups and European Championships certainly isn’t beyond them.
2) Chile
Chile had to endure an absolutely heartbreaking defeat to Brazil on penalties in the 2014 World Cup in a tournament that promised so much for them. They used that as a building block though and were back with a vengeance in the Copa America 2015 on their way to a historic winning run.
Their performances at the Copa America Centenario 2016 have also impressed, particularly the 7-0 whacking of an impressive Mexico outfit, and they seem to be one of the favourites for the title again.
Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez, the clear stars of the Chile setup have a lot of games in them yet, and moreover, it’s the hunger and tenacity of the entire unit that tells you they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with for the next decade.
3) Belgium
Belgium have to be here of course. Their best ever finish at the FIFA world cup is 4th place in 1986 and a runner-up finish at the 1980 European Championships is until now their finest footballing achievement. You sense all that could change very quickly with the array of world class talent they have now.
It isn’t only about the current stars like Eden Hazard or Kevin De Bruyne and so many more. The fact that the next generation is already here in the form of Divock Origi, Youri Tielemans and Dennis Praet also says a lot about the abundance of talent they have.
So many of their current starters of the current team can still be around for another three of four major tournaments and you’d heavily fancy the Belgians to make one of those opportunities count and send their fans in a kind of delirium they’ve never experienced before.
4) USA
Interest in the beautiful game in the United States of America constantly continues to increase. The ongoing Copa America 2016 has had a great set of passionate audiences, and a solid United States lineup that has done their country more than proud.
Major League Soccer has been growing slowly but surely, and the standard of players is improving as well. The evidence is the multitude of young talented players that the US is now producing and who are beginning to make an impression on an international level.
There are now more than 80 football development academy facilities that act as a conduit to MLS, English Premier League and Italian Serie A teams and the popularity of football amongst the youth is at an all-time high.
If the United States can continue to churn out talents like Christian Pulisic, Gedion Zelalem and Julian Green and begin to pull out the financial muscle their economy is capable of providing, they could have a very bright future.
5) China
It is admittedly fairly presumptuous to put down China in a list that includes countries that already have a host of exciting young footballing talent, but the fact is that their increasing financial and political investment in football cannot be ignored.
The Chinese government and their most wealthy businessmen have, in recent times, been pumping money into the European game and have recently taken over Inter Milan, one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs. AC Milan, the 7-time European champions are in line too and China has also made significant investment in clubs in the Premier League and La Liga.
There are extremely serious about this foray in football, and plans are already underway to have serious partnerships with the best clubs in the world to conduct training sessions and build academies in their country.
China is looking to host the 2026 World Cup, and all of this could well be their grand plan of putting out a competitive team out in that tournament, should they be chosen as hosts. With the full backing of their government and their wealthiest businessmen, China could be on a steep ascent to the top of the world footballing pyramid.
