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After a summer of intense international football action, FIFA has announced the latest world rankings for August 2021. As expected, Euro 2020 and Copa America 2021 winners, Italy and Argentina, have gained spots in the latest edition of FIFA's World Rankings while USA and Mexico break into the top 10 thanks to their good performances in the recently concluded Gold Cup.
Portugal's early elimination at Euro 2020 sees them drop a few spots, while France are also no longer ranked #2 in this month's FIFA World Rankings. Some traditional powerhouses like Germany, the Netherlands and Uruguay failed to make it to the top 10 while Denmark (WR 11) missed out narrowly despite an impressive performance at Euro 2020.
Without much ado, let us take a look at the top 10 nations in the FIFA World Rankings for August 2021.
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Note: India is currently ranked #105 as per the FIFA rankings.
#10 USA | Points: 1648
The USMNT soccer team has had a great couple of months. They first won the CONCACAF Nations League Final 3-2 against Mexico before winning the Gold Cup final 1-0 against Mexico once again.
These impressive performances have seen the US football team jump up a massive 10 places from last time's rankings to make it into the top 10. With the likes of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest among others, the USMNT has many players playing in top teams like Chelsea, Juventus and Barcelona.
With World Cup qualifiers coming up in September, fans in the US will be hoping that their team continues its good form and keeps performing at this high level.
#9 Mexico | Points: 1658
Mexico will be slightly disappointed with their performances in the last 2 months. Although they made it to both the Nations League and the Gold Cup Finals, they ended up losing to rivals USA in both the tournaments.
El Tri have some extremely talented players in their ranks. From the likes of Hirving Lozano to Jesus Corona, the Mexicans have a good amount of quality sprinkled right through their squad.
With talismanic striker Raul Jimenez returning to fitness after a horror injury, the Mexican national team will have another top quality attacker most likely joining their ranks for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.
#8 Portugal | Points: 1662
Portugal went into Euro 2020 with a lot of expectations. However, a lackluster performance saw Portugal crash out in the Round-of-16 against Belgium.
Portugal have an extremely talented squad led by the talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo. At 36, the 5-time Ballon d'Or winner is still going strong and even won the Euro 2020 Golden Boot despite Portugal bowing out of the tournament so early.
Portugal are currently joint top with Serbia in their World Cup qualifying group and will be hoping for some solid results in the September international break to consolidate their position at the top.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co will be hoping to lead Portugal to another World Cup and higher up the FIFA World Rankings in the next edition.
Also read: The Best FIFA Men's Player Award 2021: Ranking the top 5 favorites - August 2021
#7 Spain | Points: 1680
Spain are the 7th ranked team in August's edition of the FIFA World Rankings. La Roja have been pretty consistent under Luis Enrique and narrowly missed out on making the finals of Euro 2020 when they lost in a penalty shootout against eventual champions Italy.
This young Spain side will have another chance of winning an international trophy in the UEFA Nations League this year. They will face Italy again and will be determined to make amends for the Euro 2020 loss.
Youngsters like Pedri, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres have all shown they are capable of putting in world class performances and Luis Enrique could be building a very impressive Spanish squad for the future.
#6 Argentina | Points: 1714
Gaining 2 places from #8 to #6 in the FIFA World Rankings list is Argentina. Lionel Messi finally got his hands on an international trophy when Argentina got the better of Brazil in an intense Copa America final at the Maracana.
Manager Lionel Scaloni has made Argentina incredibly hard to beat and La Albiceleste are more than deserving of their 6th position in the FIFA World Rankings.
Currently sitting comfortably at the #2 position in their World Cup qualifying group, Argentina will be looking to continue their good form when they take on the likes of Venezuela, Brazil and Bolivia in September's FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches.
#5 Italy | Points: 1745
Italy were deserved winners at Euro 2020 and just like Argentina have gained 2 spots in this latest edition of FIFA World Rankings. Roberto Mancini has made Italy an extremely dangerous squad capable of beating any country in the world.
Italy are a complete team. From the likes of Bonucci and Chiellini marshaling the defense to Insigne and Chiesa terrorizing opposition defenders, the Azzuri look set to dominate international football in the coming months.
Italy are also in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals where they will face off against familiar foes Spain. If they continue their good form, they could soon break into the top 3 spots of the FIFA World Rankings list.
#4 England | Points: 1753
England under Gareth Southgate have been extremely consistent in their results. They narrowly missed out on winning Euro 2020 when they lost on penalties in the final against Italy.
With a young, talented core of players like Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Mason Mount along with some experienced stars like Harry Maguire and Harry Kane, England have a squad capable of going deep in any international tournament.
They are also expected to qualify easily from their World Cup qualifying group and fans will be hoping that England maintain their performances and mount a challenge in the FIFA World Cup next year in Qatar.
#3 France | Points: 1762
Defending FIFA World Cup Champions, France had a Euro 2020 tournament to forget. Les Bleus were the favorites heading into the competition but a spirited Switzerland side knocked them out in the Round-of-16.
That loss sees them drop down one position from #2 to #3 in the latest FIFA World Rankings list. Although France might have had a bad Euro 2020, they still arguably have the most complete international squad.
Superstars like Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante and Antoine Griezmann will all be determined to put the disappointment of Euro 2020 behind them and make a concentrated effort at next year's FIFA World Cup.
France are also in the UEFA Nations League semi-final where they will face off against Belgium in October.
#2 Brazil | Points: 1798
Brazil narrowly lost out to Argentina in the Copa America 2021 finals, but there is no denying the fact that the South American side is one of the best footballing nations on the planet.
Brazil have jumped up one position from #3 to #2 in August's FIFA World Ranking thanks to their good performances in the World Cup qualifiers and their run to the final at Copa America 2021.
Brazil have a perfect record in the World Cup qualifiers having won all 6 of their matches played so far. With a high profile match coming up against Argentina in September, it will be interesting to see how the team led by the likes of Neymar and Casemiro perform against Lionel Messi's newly crowned Copa America champions.
#1 Belgium | Points: 1822
Still on top of the FIFA World Rankings, Belgium will soon be hoping to win a major international trophy with their 'golden generation'. The 'Red Devils' have been incredibly consistent under manager Roberto Martinez, winning most of their friendlies and qualification matches.
However, in major tournaments they just seem to fall short either in the semi-finals or quarter-finals stage. With stars like Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Youri Tielemans, Belgium have the firepower to cause any team problems.
Belgium have been top of the FIFA World Rankings for a long time now, and they will be hoping to live up to that and claim a major international trophy soon.
