2024 provided great drama on the international stage, but all eyes now turn to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Qualifying 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 supporters around the world.
Who will reach football’s most prestigious competition remains to be seen, although a change to the format now ensures a record 48 teams reach the finals. Eyes will be firmly on the world’s elite nations and the form they are in during the qualification process.
Here it is 90 minutes power rankings for the best teams in international football.
Six COMEBOL nations automatically qualify for the World Cup 2026 and winners of the opening competition Uruguay are well placed to secure their place in North America.
La Celeste have been in impressive form during this summer’s Copa America and have reached the semi-finals before heated exit at the hands of Colombia. Marcelo Bielsa’s side endured a difficult post-tournament run of form but picked up four points in meetings with Colombia and Brazil during November’s international break in World Cup qualifying.
Revenge from Colombia came in the form of a 3-2 win, while Federico Valverde’s goal secured a 1-1 draw with Brazil that leaves Uruguay second in the CONMEBOL qualifying standings.
It’s no secret that Italy endured a disastrous Euro 2024 campaign, but former Scudetto-winning Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti has helped turn the Azzurri around since then.
Italy was unbeaten during it UEFA Nations League 2024/25 Group stage campaign until their November defeat by France, narrowly missing out on top spot in League A Group 2.
Having beaten France, Belgium and Israel after a disappointing summer, Italy will test themselves against Germany in the Nations League quarter-finals in March.
After an extremely underwhelming Copa America campaign in the summer, Brazil are in improved form since their return to CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. However, they remain quite far from their best.
Vinicius Junior and co. failed to win away to Venezuela before stumbling to a home draw with Uruguay in the November international break, leaving them fifth in qualifying and seven points behind Argentina.
Dorival Junior has yet to inspire as the country’s head coach, although Brazil no longer boast the same depth as they once did.
Defeats to Uruguay and Ecuador have dampened sentiment around the Colombian national team, but Nestor Lorenzo’s side remain in a strong position despite November’s defeats.
Narrowly beaten by Argentina in the 2024 Copa America final, Colombia went on to beat the world champions in September’s qualifiers, following that success with a 4-0 thrashing of Chile in October.
With Liverpool’s Luis Diaz in terrific form and former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez rejuvenated, Colombia should ease their way to World Cup qualification.
Portugal may have slipped into Euro 2024 under Roberto Martinez, but they have lost just four of their last 26 games in all competitions as a star-studded squad grows more comfortable together.
Cristiano Ronaldo found the net regularly as Portugal eased into their Nations League group, beating Poland, Croatia and Scotland to secure top spot. They will face Denmark in the last eight.
While Portugal should move on from Ronaldo in the coming years, the veteran has silenced his critics at Euro 2024 with some impressive performances in the Nations League.
A home tournament promised excitement Germany supporters after some dark days under current Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, but Euro 2024 has come too soon for Julian Nagelsmann at the start of his career.
Germany played positively in the summer and their young talent shone through, even if a quarter-final exit at the hands of eventual champions Spain seemed like a missed opportunity.
However, Germany have been unbeaten since then as they topped their Nations League group, with a fine 7-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in November highlighting the attacking potential of Nagelsmann’s side.
England they may not have been entirely convincing in their promotion to League A of the Nations League, but let’s not forget that the Three Lions were European Championship finalists in the summer.
Gareth Southgate has since retired, marking a new dawn for the national team as Thomas Tuchel is set to take charge of his first race in March. The brief is clear: win the World Cup in 2026.
England have shown glimpses of their attacking potential under caretaker manager Lee Carsley, but forward thinking football and youth development are likely to be replaced by organization and pragmatism following the appointment of former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel.
France were seen as the favorites for Euro 2024 but failed to deliver on the big stage, even reaching the semi-finals. Kylian Mbappe struggled in Germany and his team-mates did little heavy lifting in the tournament.
Didier Deschamps retained his position as head coach ahead of the next Nations League group stage and despite a shaky start, Les Bleus secured top spot as they progressed to the quarter-finals.
An insanely talented squad makes life for Deschamps, whose side remain second in the FIFA world rankings, and a second Nations League triumph would set them up nicely ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
Spain it is in simply spectacular shape. Since the 2022 World Cup, they have failed to win just four of their 27 outings, triumphing at Euro 2024 under Luis de la Fuente on the back of a seven-game winning streak.
Their positive form has continued in the 2024/25 Nations League as they aim to defend their crown. Five wins and a draw from six group stage matches was the strongest record of any League A team.
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are hopeful of a dominant generation and La Roja will be keen to carry their excellent form into the 2026 World Cup.
There is no doubt about the best international team in the world as it stands. World Champions and Copa America 2024 Winners Argentina they have won the last three major tournaments they have entered, with Lionel Scaloni masterminding their remarkable success.
Lionel Messi continues to deliver his international swan song and Lautaro Martinez has developed into the clutch goalscorer that every international powerhouse demands.
They were outstanding in the summer as they won the Copa América and lead CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, currently five points ahead of second-placed Uruguay.
