{"id":25829,"date":"2022-11-15T10:50:36","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T09:50:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1738023"},"modified":"2022-11-15T11:16:16","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T10:16:16","slug":"best-teams-at-the-world-cup-2022","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/best-teams-at-the-world-cup-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Best teams at the World Cup 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\"><\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By Michael Potts\n                \t\t<\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Tuesday, 15 November 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p>Determining the best football teams in the world is an arduous, arguably impossible task. That doesn\u2019t stop FIFA from having a go.<\/p>\n<p>The world rankings are always a contentious source of debate with the system based on results, opposition strength and competitions competed in, among other variables.<\/p>\n<p>FIFA assign ranking points to each nation via the wonderfully inexplicable formula \u2018P = Pbefore + I * (W \u2013 We)\u2019. We could try and explain each aspect of the calculation, but we\u2019d rather spend time assessing the fruits of FIFA\u2019s labour instead. (Check out the official guide for <a href=\"\/\/www.fifa.com\/fifa-world-ranking\/procedure-men&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">FIFA ranking points calculations<\/a> if you\u2019ve got no plans this evening.)<\/p>\n<p>Neither the last World Cup, European Championships, Copa America nor any other reigning confederation championships winner sits at the top of the pile, though many fancy the No.1 ranked team to go all the way in Qatar.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/\/radiotimes.com&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">RadioTimes.com<\/a> rounds up the highest-ranked teams in the World Cup based on FIFA World Rankings ahead of the 2022 World Cup.<\/p> <h2><strong>World Cup 2022 best teams<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>5. England<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The Three Lions ride into Qatar in an odd position. This is the best chance England have of winning a World Cup in a generation though spirits have been dampened by their worst run of form since 1992.<\/p>\n<p>England proved their credentials among the elite teams in world football by reaching the 2018 semi-finals and Euro 2020 final, but followed up their Wembley defeat with an abysmal Nations League campaign that ended in relegation.<\/p>\n<p>Harry Kane is the star man, but whatever perceived holes there are in England\u2019s squad this time around, the continued emergence of Jude Bellingham sees England enter this one with an XI that really could go the distance.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. France<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Reigning champions France were top of the tree following their glorious victory and prior triumph at Euro 2016.<\/p>\n<p>However, they took a tumble after being dispatched by Switzerland in the Round of 16 of Euro 2020. The game ended 3-3 following a crazy 120 minutes of action, nine players scored their penalty before Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 missed to break French hearts.<\/p>\n<p>Ballon d\u2019Or winner Karim Benzema is back in the fold following years in the wilderness and he will seek to put France back on the right track as they seek to defend their title.<\/p>\n<div class=\"&quot;image-handler__container\" image-handler__container--full=\"\" style=\"&quot;padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=300%2C200,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=300%2C200,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=355%2C237,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=355%2C237,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=405%2C270,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=405%2C270,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=408%2C272,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=408%2C272,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=556%2C371,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=556%2C371,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><img class=\"&quot;wp-image-1738160\" align=\"\" size-full=\"\" image-handler__image=\"\" image-handler__image--full=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/argentina-lionel-messi-4334589.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413&quot;\" width=\"&quot;3305&quot;\" height=\"&quot;2203&quot;\" alt=\"&quot;&quot;\" title=\"&quot;&quot;\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><div class=\"&quot;caption-hold&quot;\"><figcaption class=\"&quot;wp-caption-text&quot;\"><span class=\"&quot;caption-copy&quot;\"><i class=\"&quot;icon-arrow\" icon-camera-circle=\"\"\/> Lionel Messi and Joaquin Correa celebrating for Argentina.<\/span><\/figcaption><span class=\"&quot;im-image-caption&quot;\"> <i>Rich Graessle\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<h3><strong>3. Argentina<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Many people\u2019s favourites, Argentina head into their last World Cup with Lionel Messi.<\/p>\n<p>The 35-year-old may even call it a day for Argentina after this tournament, made even more likely should they go all the way. Messi finally lifted a trophy with his nation last year after winning the Copa America.<\/p>\n<p>Argentina were also buoyed by their recent 3-0 thumping of Italy in the Finalissima this summer. Their credentials continue to solidify with fewer superstar names in the mix but a more cohesive system underpinning those who remain in the squad.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Belgium<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The shock entrants on this list: Belgium. They have continued to ride high in the rankings by sustained decent performances in major tournaments without actually winning any.<\/p>\n<p>The Belgians \u2013 buoyed by a fading golden age of superstar names \u2013 have reached the quarter-finals in each of their last four major tournaments, including finishing third at the 2018 World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>Roberto Martinez could be criticised for not going further with his elite squad, many of whom have retired or sit on the cliff edge of their careers. A poor showing at Qatar may see Belgium dissolve from the scene at the top.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Brazil<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The Samba Boys are top of the charts heading into the 2022 World Cup after dislodging Belgium in March this year.<\/p>\n<p>They won the Copa America in 2019 but haven\u2019t lifted the World Cup since Cafu did the honours in 2002. They have failed to even reach a semi-final since then.<\/p>\n<p>Neymar is backed up by an incredible supporting cast this year, though one ominous sign looms over their campaign. The top-ranked team going into the World Cup has never won the tournament.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Every World Cup team\u2019s FIFA ranking<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>1. Brazil<br\/>\n2. Belgium<br\/>\n3. Argentina<br\/>\n4. France<br\/>\n5. England<br\/>\n7. Spain<br\/>\n8. Netherlands<br\/>\n9. Portugal<br\/>\n10. Denmark<br\/>\n11. Germany<br\/>\n12. Croatia<br\/>\n13. Mexico<br\/>\n14. Uruguay<br\/>\n15. Switzerland<br\/>\n16. USA<br\/>\n18. Senegal<br\/>\n19. Wales<br\/>\n20. Iran<br\/>\n21. Serbia<br\/>\n22. Morocco<br\/>\n24. Japan<br\/>\n26. Poland<br\/>\n28. South Korea<br\/>\n30. Tunisia<br\/>\n31. Costa Rica<br\/>\n38. Australia<br\/>\n41. Canada<br\/>\n43. Cameroon<br\/>\n44. Ecuador<br\/>\n50. Qatar<br\/>\n51. Saudi Arabia<br\/>\n61. Ghana<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re looking for something else to watch, check out our\u00a0<a href=\"\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/tv-listings&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">TV Guide<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a title=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/streaming-guide\/&quot;\" href=\"\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/streaming-guide\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/streaming-guide\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1667900325374000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1G2c7_FAYz3431qFxW1wHd&quot;\">Streaming Guide<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>or visit our\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/sport\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Sport<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0hub.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the\u00a0<a title=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/audio\/podcasts\/&quot;\" href=\"\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/audio\/podcasts\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener noopener noreferrer\" noreferrer=\"\" data-auth=\"&quot;NotApplicable&quot;\" data-safelink=\"&quot;true&quot;\" data-linkindex=\"&quot;1&quot;\">Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Michael Potts Published: Tuesday, 15 November 2022 at 12:00 am Determining the best football teams in the world is an arduous, arguably impossible task. That doesn\u2019t stop FIFA from having a go. The world rankings are always a contentious source of debate with the system based on results, opposition strength and competitions competed in, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":25830,"template":"","categories":[1,7,5],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/best-teams-at-the-world-cup-2022-scaled.jpg",2560,1706,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/best-teams-at-the-world-cup-2022-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/best-teams-at-the-world-cup-2022-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/best-teams-at-the-world-cup-2022-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/best-teams-at-the-world-cup-2022-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/best-teams-at-the-world-cup-2022-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/best-teams-at-the-world-cup-2022-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Michael Potts Published: Tuesday, 15 November 2022 at 12:00 am Determining the best football teams in the world is an arduous, arguably impossible task. That doesn\u2019t stop FIFA from having a go. The world rankings are always a contentious source of debate with the system based on results, opposition strength and competitions competed in,&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/25829"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}