Who’s actually the best?
GoalPost’s order of the world’s national teams — squad quality, form and pedigree over reputation, measured against the FIFA World Ranking. Grouped by confederation.
GoalPost’s contenders
Top of the field
France
Two-time World Cup winners · FIFA #1
Argentina
Three-time World Cup winners · FIFA #3
Brazil
Five-time World Cup winners · FIFA #6
England
1966 World Cup winners · FIFA #4
Spain
2026 & 2010 World Cup winners · FIFA #2
Germany
Four-time World Cup winners · FIFA #10
Europe
UEFA · 25 teamsFrance
Two-time World Cup winners
England
1966 World Cup winners
Spain
2026 & 2010 World Cup winners
Germany
Four-time World Cup winners
Portugal
Europe
Netherlands
Europe
Italy
Four-time World Cup winners
Belgium
Europe
Croatia
2018 World Cup runners-up
Denmark
1992 European champions
Switzerland
Europe
Ukraine
Europe
Poland
World Cup third place (1974, 1982)
Austria
Europe
Sweden
1958 World Cup runners-up
Turkey
2002 World Cup third place
Serbia
Europe
Wales
Europe
Scotland
Europe
Czech Rep.
Europe
Norway
1998 World Cup round of 16
Hungary
1954 World Cup finalists
Romania
Europe
Greece
2004 European champions
Bosnia
Europe