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FIFA has announced the year-ending world rankings for 2021. This year saw a lot of high-profile international football with the Euros and Copa America tournaments affecting the FIFA world rankings standings.
Argentina finally won the Copa America after many years of disappointment while Italy played some brilliant football to win the Euros. There was also plenty of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers action this year along with the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament which was won by USA.
With so much action happening this year, the rankings have changed quite a bit over the last few months. Traditional powerhouses like Germany (12) and Uruguay (17) do not make the top 10, while USA just misses out in 11th spot.
Without further ado, let us take a look at the top 10 nations in FIFA World Rankings at the end of 2021.
#10 Netherlands | Points: 1653.73
After missing out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Netherlands managed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup ahead of the likes of Turkey and Norway in Group G.
The Dutch have a talented squad with an exciting mix of youth and experience. The likes of Van Dijk and Memphis Depay, along with youngsters like Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt, will be hoping to inspire the Netherlands to a strong performance in Qatar.
Louis van Gaal is an experienced manager and the Netherlands will be hopeful of improving their 10th position in the FIFA World Rankings next year.
#9 Denmark | Points: 1654.54
Denmark have had a great 2021 and put in some brilliant performances this year. From making the UEFA Euro semi-final to qualifying to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar comfortably, the Danes have played some entertaining and enterprising football in the last 12 months.
Great credit must also be given to their mental strength and fortitude this year, especially after the tragic Christian Eriksen incident which occurred at the Euros.
In Simon Kjaer, Denmark have an excellent leader on and off the pitch. The AC Milan man, along with players like Kasper Schmeichel, Andreas Christensen and Mikkel Damsgaard, will be looking to continue their good performances in 2022.
#8 Portugal | Points: 1660.25
Portugal will be disappointed with their international performances this year. Fernando Santos has a good squad of players to call upon, but their failure to finish above Serbia in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group has left their Qatar 2022 hopes hanging by a thread.
Portugal has some explosive attacking talent, led by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes. They also have the experience and composure of Pepe and Ruben Dias to call upon in the backline.
The next few months will be extremely crucial for Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping to inspire his country to the FIFA 2022 World Cup in the playoffs which are scheduled to be held in March 2022.
#7 Spain | Points: 1704.75
Spain are in 7th position in the FIFA World Rankings for December, but they have a young and talented squad capable of rising up even more under Luis Enrique.
After comfortably qualifying from their World Cup qualification group, Spain also made it to the UEFA Nations League final where they lost a closely contested match against France.
With the likes of Pedri, Ferran Torres and Gavi, Spain have some extremely talented youngsters capable of beating any team on their day. Luis Enrique's men have put in some brilliant performances this year and La Roja will definitely be a team to watch out for in Qatar 2022.
#6 Italy | Points: 1740.77
It has been a tale of 2 halves in 2021 for the Italian men's football national team. The Azzuri played brilliantly in the first half of 2021 qualifying to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals and then winning Euro 2020 playing some beautiful football along the way.
However, recently, Roberto Mancini's men have struggled to get the right results. After falling to Spain in the UEFA Nations League semi-final, Italy surprisingly finished 2nd in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group (behind Switzerland).
This has set up a tantalizing potential World Cup qualifying playoff clash against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in March 2022. Italy will be looking to bounce back from their performances in the last 3 months and qualify for the FIFA World Cup next year.
#5 Argentina | Points: 1750.51
Lionel Messi finally won a senior international trophy this year when Argentina beat Brazil in the Copa America final. Argentina have also already qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and have been extremely impressive under manager Lionel Scaloni.
With Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria spearheading the attack, Argentina are capable of breaking down any opposition defense. They have also become extremely solid defensively, with the likes of Romero and Emi Martinez putting in some noteworthy performances.
One trophy that has been missing from Messi's glittering trophy cabinet has been the FIFA World Cup. Argentina fans will be hoping that 2022 will be the year when the 7-time Ballon d'Or winner finally gets his hand on football's most coveted prize.
#4 England | Points: 1755.52
England have been extremely consistent under Gareth Southgate to end the FIFA World Rankings for 2021 in 4th position. The Three Lions almost won an elusive international trophy at Euro 2020, but fell just short against a resolute Italy in the final.
The England squad has plenty of talented youngsters coming through while the senior members in the squad have all been performing at an extremely high level for the past 4 years.
Gareth Southgate has plenty of players to choose from and will need to make some tough decisions ahead of the FIFA 2022 World Cup at Qatar.
#3 France | Points: 1786.15
2018 FIFA World Cup champions France will be a force to reckon with in 2022 as well. France may have had a disappointing Euro 2020, but they ended the year in style by winning the UEFA Nations League against Spain in the final.
One of the most complete national squads in world football at the moment, France arguably have become even stronger after the return of Karim Benzema to the national squad.
Blessed with incredible depth in all positions, Didier Deschamps' men will be determined to go all the way once again in the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Qatar.
#2 Brazil | Points: 1826.35
It only looks like a matter of time before Brazil become number 1 in the FIFA World Rankings. After a strong year in 2021, Brazil have narrowed the gap to the top spot and are only 2 ranking points away from the summit.
Brazil, along with Argentina, are unbeaten in the South American World Cup qualifying campaign. While they might have lost to Argentina in the Copa America final, Tite's men have been extremely consistent and difficult to beat throughout the year.
While Neymar is their standout star, the likes of Casemiro and Marquinhos add some much-needed steel and experience to the Brazil side. In a FIFA World Cup event, one can never discount Brazil and the South American giants will be hoping to lift the trophy once again after a gap of 20 years.
#1 Belgium | Points: 1828.45
For the fourth year running, Belgium have finished top of the FIFA Rankings list. Belgium's 'golden generation' have not won a single major trophy, but they have been extremely consistent throughout the year.
After finishing on top of their FIFA World Cup qualifying group, Belgium made it to the UEFA Nations League semi-final where they lost against France in an entertaining encounter.
Time is running out for the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku to claim a major international trophy. While they have reached the latter stages of all major tournaments, Belgium have not been able to go the whole distance.
Roberto Martinez will be hoping to change the narrative in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
