FIFA World Rankings February 2022: Top 10 Nations
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:
#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.
Scored 54 goals
Won 5 major trophies, including the #UCL and Premier League
Moved to Liverpool and PSG
Been relegated to the Championship
Since starring for Netherlands at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Georginio Wijnaldum has...
⚽️ Scored 54 goals
🏆 Won 5 major trophies, including the #UCL and Premier League
📄 Moved to Liverpool and PSG
❌ Been relegated to the Championship
A whirlwind last eight years. 😅
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.
Christian Eriksen has revealed he is aiming to play for Denmark at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and says "my heart is not an obstacle".
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.
If Portugal qualify for World Cup, it’s Jota’s doing not Ronaldo 🙌👍
It will be far from a straightforward affair for Fernando Santos’ men, but they surely have what it takes to get the job done.