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FIFA, the international governing body of football, has announced the Men’s World Rankings for the month of February 2022. As always, there are a couple of impressive inclusions as well as surprising omissions.
Four-time World Cup winner Germany have dropped out of the top 10 and currently occupy the 11th position. Colombia, the biggest losers in the top 20, have lost a whopping 21.26 points and dropped down to the 19th position. At the other end of the spectrum, AFCON winners Senegal have emerged as the biggest winners in the top-20 gaining 26.10 points for their exploits.
With the losers, winners, and a big surprise out of the way, let us focus on the ten best footballing nations on the planet. Here are the top ten international teams, according to FIFA World Rankings, in February 2022:
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#10 Netherlands – 1653.73 points
Judging by the sheer number of high-profile players they have at their disposal, it feels odd to see the Netherlands in 10th position.
They have a world-class back-line led by Virgil van Dijk, a brilliant midfield starring Frenkie de Jong, and a fiery attack spearheaded by Memphis Depay.
A team full of superstars in the literal sense.
After disappointingly missing out on the 2018 World Cup, the Dutch have already bagged automatic qualification for the 2022 edition.
They have the quality to beat any team on their day, and we are expecting fireworks from them in Qatar.
#9 Denmark – 1654.54 points
Last year, Denmark surprised millions around the world by booking a place in the Euro 2020 semi-finals. Although they were beaten by England in the last-four clash, the Danes did not make it a walk in the park for the Three Lions.
They have also secured direct qualification for the World Cup in Qatar and are eager to put on another encouraging display at the end of the year.
Full of versatile youngsters and capable leaders, Denmark are certainly a team to watch out for. We cannot wait to see how they fare at the grand event in Qatar.
#8 Portugal – 1660.25 points
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal missed out on automatic World Cup qualification late last year. They will now have to go through two rounds of playoffs, the semi-final and the final, to book their tickets for Qatar.
First, they will face Turkey in the semis. A win over the Turks will see them lock horns with either Italy or North Macedonia in the final.
It will be far from a straightforward affair for Fernando Santos’ men, but they surely have what it takes to get the job done.
#7 Spain – 1704.75 points
2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain have been in decent form over the past year, especially considering the shape they are in.
Having seen some of their biggest icons retire over the last few years, Spain are very much in transition mode.
Coach Luis Enrique is steadying the ship with a nice blend of youth and experience, and it could pay dividends in Qatar.
Spain easily topped their World Cup qualifying group, securing automatic qualification for the Qatar showpiece. They also played in the Nations League final, narrowly getting beat by France in the end.
If they can improve their performance in the final third, we won’t be surprised to see them go deep into the 2022 World Cup.
#6 Italy - 1740.77 points
To everyone’s surprise, four-time FIFA World Cup winners Italy did not qualify for the grand event in 2018.
Following the disappointment, Roberto Mancini took charge of the team and has turned their fortunes around for good.
They played an impressive brand of football last summer and bagged the European Championship, beating England in the final.
Italy did fail to secure automatic qualification to the 2022 World Cup, but can make amends with two consecutive playoff victories.
They will kick off their World Cup playoff journey against North Macedonia, winning which will pit them against either Portugal or Turkey.
#5 England – 1755.52 points
Gareth Southgate’s England are one of the most competitive teams in the world right now.
The Three Lions have a bunch of committed, determined players at their disposal and aren’t afraid of rolling up their sleeves when needed.
They made it to the European Championship final last year, only losing out to Italy on penalties.
Their impressive run at the Euros has proved their mettle and fans are hoping for more of the same at this year's FIFA World Cup.
#4 Argentina – 1766.99 points
Lionel Messi’s Argentina are the biggest winners in this month’s FIFA World Rankings.
Having gained 16.48 points in just over a month, they have leapfrogged England, taking their fourth position.
Gone are the days of over-dependence on a certain Lionel Messi. Lionel Scaloni’s La Albiceleste are a complete team now. They can play beautifully, score emphatically, and, that, too, without their imperious skipper.
If they can play to their strengths and perform as they did last summer, the Copa America champions could win the big one as well in Qatar.
#3 France – 1786.15 points
Defending FIFA World champions France were on the receiving end of one of the biggest upsets at Euro 2020.
Just when everyone thought they would cruise to a win against Switzerland, the underdogs pegged them back and beat them on penalties.
They bounced back strongly with a UEFA Nations League triumph, but their biggest test lies before them.
With the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante in the team, France will be the favorites to go the distance.
No country has defended the FIFA World Cup since Brazil in 1962 and the onus will be on Didier Deschamps to break the 50-year streak.
A mountain to climb for the reigning world champions.
#2 Brazil – 1823.42 points
Five-time World Cup winners and the most recognizable footballing nation in the world, Brazil, have lost 2.93 points since the last ranking.
Their 1-1 draw with Ecuador in late January may have taken a slight toll on their tally. Apart from that little blip, Brazil have been consistently churning out decent results.
Tite’s men have already secured their 2022 World Cup qualification and are currently at the top of the CONMEBOL table. They seem to have brushed aside the defeat to Argentina in the Copa America final and are focusing on a fruitful tournament in Qatar.
Neymar, of course, is their biggest star, but they also have the likes of Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo who could emerge as difference-makers in the showpiece event.
#1 Belgium – 1828.45 points
Belgium finished 2021 by reigning supreme at the top of the FIFA World Rankings. It is no surprise that they have started the year in the same fashion.
At the top with 1828.45 points, Belgium, on paper, are the best international team in the world right now.
Courtesy of their golden generation, Belgium have managed to be extremely consistent over the last few years. Unfortunately, their consistency and cutting edge almost always tend to disappear in major tournaments.
The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne could pierce any defense in the world, but they have been disappointing in big tournaments.
The Red Devils have an opportunity to make amends for their slip-ups and go for gold at the Qatar World Cup.
Will their tried and tested stars come together and deliver the biggest trophy in international football or will they endure another heartbreak? We cannot wait for the ball to roll in Qatar.
