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2024 has brought exceptional drama on the international stage, but now all attention is focused on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Qualification for the tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is underway on most continents and the return of a summer World Cup already has fans salivating around the world.
It remains to be seen who will make it to football’s most prestigious competition, although a format change now ensures a record 48 teams reach the final. Eyes will be firmly on the world’s elite nations and how they fare during the qualification process.
here they are 90 minutes Power rankings for the best teams in international soccer.
Six COMEBOL nations automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup and Uruguay, winners of the inaugural competition, are well positioned to secure their place in North America.
La Celeste were in impressive form during the summer Copa América and reached the semi-final before their heated elimination at the hands of Colombia. Marcelo Bielsa’s team hit a rough patch after the tournament but picked up four points from meetings with Colombia and Brazil during the November international break in World Cup qualifying.
Revenge against Colombia came with a 3-2 victory, while Federico Valverde’s goal secured a 1-1 draw with Brazil that leaves Uruguay second in the CONMEBOL standings.
It’s no secret that Italy endured a disastrous Euro 2024 campaign, but Scudetto-winning former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti has helped the Azzurri turn around since then.
Italy were unbeaten during their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group stage campaign until their November defeat to France, narrowly missing out on top spot in League A Group 2.
Having beaten France, Belgium and Israel since the summer disappointment, Italy will be tested against Germany in the Nations League quarter-finals in March.
After a hugely disappointing Copa América campaign over the summer, Brazil are in better form since their return to CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. However, they are still far from their best level.
Vinicius Júnior and company. failed to win away in Venezuela before stumbling to a home draw with Uruguay during the November international break, leaving them fifth in the standings and seven points behind rivals Argentina.
Dorival Junior has yet to inspire as the country’s head coach, although Brazil no longer has the same depth as before.
Defeats against Uruguay and Ecuador have slightly weakened the mood around the Colombian team, but Néstor Lorenzo’s team remains in a strong position despite the November defeats.
Having been defeated by Argentina in the 2024 Copa América final, Colombia beat the world champions in qualifying in September, following that success with a 4-0 rout of Chile in October.
With Liverpool’s Luis Diaz in tremendous form and former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez rejuvenated, Colombia should ease their path to World Cup qualification.
Portugal may have disappointed at Euro 2024 under Roberto Martínez, but they have lost just four of their last 26 games in all competitions as a star-studded team becomes more comfortable together.
Cristiano Ronaldo found the net regularly as Portugal cruised easily through their Nations League group, beating Poland, Croatia and Scotland to secure top spot. They will face Denmark in the quarterfinals.
While Portugal must move away from Ronaldo in the coming years, the veteran has silenced his Euro 2024 critics with some impressive appearances in the Nations League.
A home tournament promised excitement for German fans after some dark days under now Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, but Euro 2024 came too soon for Julian Nagelsmann at the start of his project.
Germany played positively over the summer and their young talent shone, even if a quarter-final exit at the hands of eventual champions Spain seemed like a wasted opportunity.
However, Germany have remained unbeaten since then and moved to the top of their Nations League group, with an attractive 7-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in November highlighting the team’s offensive potential. by Nagelsmann.
England may not have been entirely convincing during their promotion to League A in the Nations League, but we must not forget that the Three Lions were European Championship finalists during the summer.
Gareth Southgate has since left, marking a new dawn for the national team as Thomas Tuchel prepares to take charge of his first game in March. The mandate is clear: win the 2026 World Cup.
England showed glimpses of their attacking potential under interim manager Lee Carsley, but forward-thinking football and youth development are likely to be swapped for organization and pragmatism following the appointment of former Chelsea and Bayern boss Munich, Tuchel.
France was considered the favorite for Euro 2024, but failed to deliver on the big stage, even if it reached the semi-final. Kylian Mbappé struggled in Germany and his teammates did little heavy lifting in the tournament.
Didier Deschamps retained his position as head coach heading into the next group stage of the Nations League and, despite a shaky start, Les Bleus secured top spot as they advanced to the quarterfinals.
An incredibly talented team makes life easier for Deschamps, whose team remains second in the FIFA world rankings, and a second Nations League win would leave them a long way from the next World Cup.
Spain is in a moment of simply sensational form. Since the 2022 World Cup, they have only failed to win four of their 27 games, triumphing at Euro 2024 with Luis de la Fuente after seven consecutive victories.
Their positive form has continued in the 2024/25 Nations League as they look to defend their crown. Five wins and one draw in six group stage games was the strongest record of any A-League team.
Players such as Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams harbor hopes of a dominant generation and La Roja will be eager to carry their exceptional form into the 2026 World Cup.
As things stand, there is no doubt about which team is the best international team in the world. Argentina, world champion and winner of the 2024 Copa América, has won the last three major tournaments in which it has participated, and Lionel Scaloni was the architect of its notable success.
Lionel Messi continues to fulfill his international swan song and Lautaro Martínez has become the key scorer that every international power requires.
They were excellent over the summer when they won the Copa América and led the way in CONMEBOL World Cup qualification, currently five points ahead of second-placed Uruguay.
