What Are The Latest FIFA Rankings Ahead Of The FIFA World Cup 2022?

World football's greatest competition on earth, the FIFA World Cup 2022 is set to take place in the gorgeous country of Qatar for the very first winter world cup in the Northern Hemisphere ever. 32 teams, more than a million fans, and the host nation gear up for a month-long carnival in the Middle-East.

So, with teams battling to qualify for the competition and anticipation amongst the fans growing, let's take a look at the latest FIFA rankings of the national sides and their chances to win the first-ever winter world cup in Qatar.

Have a look at the teams that hold top places in the latest FIFA rankings below.

More About The Top 15 FIFA Ranked Nations

Here's all you need to know about the teams that are ranked in top 15 in the latest FIFA rankings.  

1.Belgium

The top-ranked side in the world today, and not surprisingly, Belgium, is full of stars in its ranks and is a team that can hurt any side in the world on its day. With top players like Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, the Red Devils would surely be roaring to go again as the FIFA World Cup kicks off in 2022.

Hoping for a similar campaign like the last world cup in Russia when Belgium ended up grabbing the third-place finish in the competition, hopes will be high this upcoming competition too as this may well be the last world cup for players like Eden Hazard who will be turning 33 by the time the FIFA 2022 kicks off.  

2. France

The reigning world champions and holding the second rank in the FIFA rankings, the strength and depth of the French side isn't a mystery anymore. Les Bleus will be the side to watch out for and will come to Qatar as 7/1 favorites to win the world cup once again.

With the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, and Paul Pogba into their ranks, this is a team that will carry serious ambitions of lifting the cup once again. In fact, right since the last FIFA World Cup triumph, France has got a number of highly talented young players into the side who will be eager to make their mark on the grand stage.  

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3. Brazil

Holding the third position in FIFA rankings and five-time world champions, Brazil is a team in form. The side comes on the back of the 2019 Copa America triumph and has a number of young stars into its ranks.

With the likes of Philipe Coutinho, Alisson, Richarlison, Gabriel, Martinelli, Vinicius Jr., and Neymar, this is a team that will come up as favorites to win the 2022 World Cup alongside France.

However, it's been 20 years since Brazil last lifted the world cup and the transition in the side's defensive structure has been notable enough. Hence, how the side's defense stands up to the challenge will be the key to success.  

4. England

Another side boasting of several stars in its ranks, England is the fourth-ranked side in the world today as per the latest FIFA rankings. The Three Lions Faithful had a heartbreaking exit in the last world cup in Russia when the side got knocked out in the Semi-finals only to go on and lose the third-place to Belgium later.

However, the Qatar World Cup will be a different story altogether as the side will come into the competition as outsider challengers which may well ease the pressure off players and would be an encouraging factor for stars like Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho, Phil Foden, and Trent Alexander-Arnold to flourish.

Having said that, though, the Three Lions Faithful are at the odds of 10/1 to win the world cup.

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5. Portugal

Times have been encouraging for Portuguese fans lately. Although knocked out in the round of 16 last time out in Russia, the Selecao did manage to win the European Championship in 2016 and also won the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019 by defeating the Netherlands in the final.

With the likes of Joao Felix and Trincao into their ranks, the team would again be roaring to go as the FIFA World Cup kicks off in 2022. Although there are question marks as to whether Cristiano Ronaldo would feature in the world cup for Portugal, signs are still encouraging with a young group of players coming into the side.  

6. Uruguay

The world’s sixth top-ranked side as per the FIFA rankings, Uruguay is a country that has a rich footballing tradition and competes regularly in major competitions. With quality players into their ranks and team chemistry that fits in perfectly, this is a side that will be amongst the underdogs for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and may well spring a surprise or two in the competition.

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7. Spain

Now here's a surprising thing about the latest FIFA rankings, Spain is, in fact, ranked below Uruguay and holds the seventh position just above Croatia. A side that had a forgettable world cup in Russia when they were knocked out in the round of 16 tie, expectations would be high this time around from Spain as they look to set things right once again.

Being favorites to win the world cup alongside France, Brazil, and Germany, the odds will be 8/1 for Spain once they kick off their world cup campaign.

8. Croatia

A team boasting of its golden generation and eighth-ranked side in the world today, Croatia had a memorable world cup last time out when the side went on to play the final against all odds in Russia. Though having lost the final at the hands of France, it was certainly a statement campaign from the side who will again come as underdogs to Qatar.

With a young group of players and the hunger that this side possesses, the Qatar FIFA World Cup may well bring another impressive campaign from Croatia.

9. Argentina

Top ninth-ranked side in the world today, the 2018 world cup was no short of an embarrassing reflection on Argentina when the side dropped out of the competition in the round of 16 at the hands of high-flying Croatia.

This time, however, things are different for the Albiceleste. The side has a number of star additions in its ranks and will be looking to challenge for the crown when they arrive for the world cup as outside contenders. With the likes of Lautaro Martenez, Paulo Dybala, and Giovani Lo Celso in their line-up, the Albiceleste would be hoping for an improvement on the last world cup.

Most importantly, this may well be the last chance for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi to win a trophy for his country. The chances of Argentina winning the world cup are at 10/1.  

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10. Columbia

A team that was roaring in the 2014 world cup, Colombia features in the top ten FIFA ranking and is a side you cannot count away in the big games. The 2018 world cup was a disappointment for the side as they were knocked out in the round of 16.

However, with a star like James Rodriguez into their ranks who was a top goal scorer in the 2014 world cup, this is a team that you just never know what it brings on the field. Though many rate their chances in the 2022 World Cup at 50/1, expectations would be high from the team.  

Other Contenders For The FIFA World Cup 2022

The FIFA World Cup in Qatar will not only be a chance for the top-ranked sides in the world, but there will be other teams too who would be competing for the grand prize. Have a look at those teams below.  

The Netherlands

A team that has been playing some attractive football lately, 2016, and 2018 was the time to forget for all Dutch fans around the world as the side failed to even qualify for the European Championship in 2016 and the FIFA World Cup in 2018.

This time, however, things are different. With the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, and Matthijs de Ligt into their ranks, the Dutch side has evolved to become a formidable force lately and will be looking to challenge other teams during the upcoming event.

Although beaten by Portugal in the inaugural UEFA Nations League final in 2019, the side will be confident of a good world cup campaign.  

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Italy

Four-time world champions and ranking 12th in the overall FIFA rankings, Italy will be bringing in a relatively young squad for the world cup in Qatar. The Azzurri has been on an impressive winning run lately and will be pumped up with the prospects of a relatively young group of players into their ranks who have given promising performances in the past.

However, the side comes with the longest shot of the outside contenders at 20/1 as they lack a number of star players from the past.  

The USA

Featuring the USA as underdogs may seem strange but the country has, in fact, seen an upsurge in the popularity of football over the years. Although any real success has been few and far in between, the team has been putting in Impressive performances and with a star like Christian Pulisic into its ranks, the side will be ready to showcase their footballing prowess once the FIFA 2022 kicks-off.  

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Ukraine

Coming as underdogs to Qatar, Ukraine is a side that can come up with surprising results during the competition. This is a nation that shares a considerable footballing prowess and its under-20 side were recently crowned champions in 2019 when they defeated South Korea. Hence, looking at the positives coming out, Ukraine may well challenge teams once the world cup in Qatar kicks off.  

Qatar

Now here's a thing, not many would Qatar's chances of challenging teams in the world cup in 2022. But there's another side to it. Normally, host nations tend to perform well in competitions as they enjoy considerable home advantage in the fixtures. Hence, considering the fact that the world cup will be taking place in Qatar, the side will be going into the competition as underdogs.

As the grand spectacle of the FIFA World Cup edges closer, 32 nations from around the world are gearing up to battle it out in Qatar in the winter of 2022. While the reigning champions France go into the competition as favorites to lift the title again, teams like Germany, Spain, Brazil, Belgium, and England would certainly be up for the challenge. Hence, it remains to be seen who lifts the world cup this time around as the finals edge closer.

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