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FIFA has announced the latest world rankings for December 2020. The year-end rankings show which nations have performed consistently throughout. There have been some big movers and losers from the last month's ranking list.
Colombia, who really struggled in November's international fixtures, drop out from the top 10, along with 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia. Italy under Roberto Mancini have been extremely impressive and finally make an entry into the top 10, along with Tata Martino's Mexico.
While the likes of France and Germany have usually dominated the standings thanks to their stunning performances in marquee events, Germany do not make it to the top 10, while France are not first on the list.
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Without much ado, let us take a look at the top 10 ranked nations in the current FIFA rankings
Note: India is currently ranked #104 as per the FIFA rankings. (4 ranks up from 108 in October)
#10 Italy | Points: 1625
Italy had a good run in November and booked their places in the final 4 of the UEFA Nations League thanks to strong performances against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland.
Having navigated past the likes of Netherlands and Poland in the group stages, Italy seem to have discovered their flair once again and are definitely a threat to any national football team at the moment.
Players like Nico Barella, Andrea Belotti, Dominico Berardi and Lorenzo Insigne have all stepped up well and contributed offensively, while the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma have kept things solid at the back
Italy will be hoping to continue their good form and will be confident of a good showing in the upcoming Euros.
#9 Mexico | Points: 1632
The Mexico national football team has put in some very good performances in the last few months, getting the better of strong teams like Netherlands, South Korea and Japan in international friendlies.
With a potent attacking threat in the form of Raul Jiminez and Hirving Lozano, Tata Martino's men have played some exciting football and tightened things up at the back as well.
With some impressive talent coming through the ranks, El Tri will be looking to consolidate their top 10 spot and even improve on it in 2021.
#8 Uruguay | Points: 1639
Dropping down one place from the October edition of rankings, Uruguay will be confident of sealing a berth in the 2022 Qatar World Cup by performing strongly in the South American World Cup qualifiers.
La Celeste had a mixed month in November. They got past Colombia easily winning 3-0 thanks to usual suspects Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. However, they fell to a 2-0 defeat against an impressive Brazil side in the South American World Cup qualifiers.
Currently with 6 points in 4 games, Oscar Tabarez's men are on 5th spot in the World Cup qualifying table. With a big fixture against Argentina coming up in March, Suarez and Cavani will be hoping to fire on all cylinders and inspire the tiny South American nation to another famous win.
#7 Argentina | Points: 1642
Argentina might not always play the most attractive football, but when they have Lionel Messi in their lineup, they can always pose a threat to any team on the planet.
Unbeaten in their World Cup qualifying campaign so far, La Albiceleste have improved defensively and found a way to win some tricky fixtures. Impressive victories against Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador have propelled Argentina to the second spot in the South American World Cup qualifiers table.
With impressive attacking talent at their disposal, Argentina will be counting on the likes of Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Lucas Ocampos to spearhead their challenge and guide them back to their glory days once again.
#6 Spain | Points: 1645
The youthful Spain side under Luis Enrique is building something special and could soon rival the classic 2008-2012 Spanish team if they continue developing rapidly.
With exciting youngsters like Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, and Adama Traore breaking through, the Spain national team has a fresh look about it and has put in some extremely impressive performances in the last few months.
La Roja booked their place in the UEFA Nations League final 4 with a statement 6-0 victory over Germany. Having the right mix of youth and experience, Spain will be looking to build on their solid performances and win a major trophy, either in the Euros or the UEFA Nations League.
#5 Portugal | Points: 1662
Portugal might have missed out on a spot in the final 4 of the UEFA Nations League narrowly to France, but with Cristiano Ronaldo still firing on all cylinders, they are capable of beating any team on their day.
Blessed with an amazing array of attacking talent in the form of Joao Felix, Diogo Jota, Bruno Fernandes and not to mention the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Santos' men will be quietly confident of making a huge impact and defending their Euro 2016 crown next summer.
With the midfield and attack combing nicely and the defense proving to be miserly, Fernando Santos' men will be hoping to climb higher up the rankings in 2021.
#4 England | Points: 1669
England have always flattered to deceive in the big tournaments. However, Gareth Southgate's men have shown some grit and have an uncanny ability of grinding out results.
With some impressive talent coming through, England have good squad depth and multiple options for every position. Led by one of the best strikers in modern football in Harry Kane, England have been reasonably consistent in the past year, racking up wins against the likes of Iceland, Wales and Belgium.
Gareth Southgate still has around 6 months time to decide his best team and he will definitely be keeping a close eye on the likes of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips and Mason Greenwood before heading to the Euros.
#3 Brazil | Points: 1743
In any major international tournament, Brazil are always contenders and they continue to remain one of the teams to beat on the national stage. Led by the incredibly talented Neymar, Brazil have had a perfect record in South American World Cup qualifiers so far, racking up some stunning wins against the likes of Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, and Uruguay.
Tite's team have shown remarkable consistency in the last 12 months and their galaxy of attacking talent has always stepped up to the plate when called upon. Neymar is undoubtedly the biggest star in the team, but Coutinho, Firmino, and Gabriel Jesus have all shown that they are capable of winning games for their country as well.
If they continue playing the way they are, Brazil will be confident of reclaiming top spot soon.
#2 France | Points: 1755
Probably the most well-rounded national squad in world football at the moment, France have to be satisfied with the number 2 spot on the rankings list. With their incredible squad depth, Les Blues have been the team to beat in the last two years and the defending World Cup champions will be looking to further enhance their legacy in the coming year.
Didier Deschamps' men sealed a place in the top 4 of the UEFA Nations League by finishing top of an extremely competitive group featuring Portugal, Croatia and Sweden.
With Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud dovetailing perfectly for the national team, France have a devastating attack capable of dismantling the best teams in the world.
A squad filled with world-class superstars, France will be the team to beat in Euros and the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
#1 Belgium | Points: 1780
Belgium's golden generation finish their third consecutive year as the top-ranked national team in the world. Roberto Martinez's men will be desperate to win a major international trophy and they took a step in the right direction when they managed to qualify for the final 4 of the UEFA Nations League.
Blessed with supremely talented players like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens, Thibaut Courtois, and Thorgan Hazard, the Red Devils will know that it is high time they made use of their wonderful potential.
If the likes of Hazard and De Bruyne are fit and firing by the time the Euros come around, Belgium will definitely be one of the favorites to go all the way and claim the continent's top footballing honor.
