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#3 France – 1786.15 points
Defending FIFA World champions France were on the receiving end of one of the biggest upsets at Euro 2020.
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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.
