Top ten football teams in the world

The ten best teams in the world according to the official Fifa rankings

Every month world governing body Fifa release their official rankings. Below are the top ten soccer teams according to the latest international standings.

1. Spain

spain football manager

Vicente del Bosque's side are European and now World champions and play a unique brand of soccer based on intricate midfield passing movements. A relatively lightweight midfield plays arguably the most attractive soccer in the world, with Barcelona midfielder Xavi dictating the tempo. Two trophies in two years has proved that brains can triumph over brawn.

2. Netherlands

Netherlands football manager

Bert van Marwijk's Netherlands reached the World Cup final where they were defeated by Spain. A quarter-final appearance at Euro 2008 and a 100% record in World Cup qualifying have contributed to their high ranking.

3. Germany

germany football manager

Finalists at Euro 2008 and third place finishers at the 2010 World Cup, Germany have generally saved their best for major tournaments over the years. Joachim Low's side may lack major stars, but a strong team unity and a solid spine puts them among the favorites in any tournament. They played some of the most exciting soccer on show in South Africa.

4. Brazil

Jeff Zelevansky

The Selecao reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup where they were beaten by the Netherlands. That exit cost coach Dunga his job, and the Copa America holders appear to be playing a more attractive brand of soccer under current incumbent Mano Menezes. Kaka is the star player, the Real Madrid man representative of the team's primary qualities: pace and strength, but he has suffered badly through injury over the last year.

5. Argentina

Alexander Hassenstein

Copa America finalists in 2007, Argentina struggled to qualify for the World Cup, but eventually made it to South Africa under Diego Maradona where they were beaten easily by Germany in the quarter-finals. Maradona has now been replaced by Sergio Batista who possesses one of the most technically gifted squads in the world, with Lionel Messi considered by many as the best player around.

6. England

england football manager

Qualified comfortably for the World Cup but disappointed in South Africa as they lost in the second round to Germany. Coach Fabio Capello will stay on, but the press and public backlash to the team's efforts at the World Cup was considerable.

7. Uruguay

uruguay football manager

The surprise packages at the World Cup, reaching the semi-finals before bowing out to the Netherlands. Twenty years after Oscar Tabarez had overseen Uruguay's World Cup challenge at Italia 90, his Diego Forlan-inspired team were turning heads with some tenacious displays.

8. Portugal

Laurence Griffiths

Carlos Queiroz was sacked by Portugal in September 2010 after a poor start to the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and amid allegations of misconduct. He took his country to the second round of the 2010 World Cup where they were beaten by Spain. His replacement is former Sporting Lisbon coach Paulo Bento. Portugal's pedigree in major tournaments over the last decade is good. They reached the semi-finals of Euro 2000 and made it to the final of the same tournament on home turf four years later. A fourth-place finish at the 2006 World Cup was also a significant achievement.

9. Croatia

croatia manager fifa

Failed to qualify for the World Cup after finishing third in their group behind England and Ukraine. Slaven Bilic's side reached the quarter finals at Euro 2008 and were one of the best sides not competing at the World Cup. Bilic can call on established Premier League stars Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar and Vedran Corluka, and Shakhtar Donetsk striker Eduardo da Silva.

10. Egypt

Clive Mason

Current African champions, Egypt failed to qualify for the last World Cup after falling to bitter rivals Algeria in a play-off. But Hassan Shehata’s side were one of the best sides not at the finals and may have improved on a poor African showing had they been present at the tournament.