Top 10 International Teams: WSN Edition

Published by William | Filed under Football (aka soccer)

As the treacherous qualification process carries on, squads from around the world begin to show what they are really made of as they fight it out for the final qualification positions. Check out who we feel are the true top 10 squads in the World as the 2010 World Cup qualifying winds down.


*In parentheses are the teams’ actual FIFA World Ranking.


World Cup Qualification Standings – UEFA | CONMEBOL | CONCACAF | CAF | AFC | OFC


1 (1). Brazil


No surprise here. After a dominating performance in this summer’s Confederations Cup and clinching the first qualifying spot in the CONMEBOL, Brazil has reaffirmed to the world where the best footballers come from. Led by Kaka and Luis Fabiano, they head into next summer’s coveted competition as the clear favorites to take down the cup.


2 (2). Spain


The 2008 European Champions booked their trip to South Africa yesterday in convincing fashion after a 3-0 thrashing of Estonia. This team has a rock solid defense and one of the most dangerous attacking trios in Fernando Torres, David Villa, and the maestro himself, Xabi Alonso. Despite a disappointing loss to the United States in this summer’s Confederations Cup semifinals, look for the Spaniards to be in the mix at the end of next summer.


3 (3). Netherlands


The Dutchmen were the first UEFA squad to punch their ticket for South Africa and in doing so, did not lose or draw a single match. That should serve as a testament to the rest of the world how dangerous this squad really is. With veterans Kuyt, van Persie, Sneijder, and van der Vaart leading the way, as well as Huntleear coming off the bench, this team is certainly poised to take home the hardware.


4 (5). Germany


Germany looks as good as ever, just as they showed in last summer’s EURO 2008. With Ballack, Podoloski, and Scweinsteiger, there is no reason they shouldn’t be mentioned among the best. Trouble for them is that they are neck and neck with the ever so dangerous Russia for the automatic qualifying spot and will basically have a playoff when the two teams meet in October. Loser of that match however, will still have a chance to play themselves into the finals via a playoff.


5 (7). England


Fabio Capello has really got a hold of this squad and I am continually impressed every time the Three Lions take the pitch. England has gone a perfect 8-0 in their pursuit of a spot in next summer’s finals and has managed a shocking +32 goal difference in doing so. While their group may not have been the most competitive in all of Europe, they proved they were for real this week when they demolished contenders Croatia 5-1, which I might add, must have tasted nicely after being knocked out of last summer’s European Championship by the same team.


6 (6). Russia


Russia is, in my opinion, the most dangerous squad in this year’s tournament. Trouble for them is that, despite their remarkable form in the qualification rounds, they will have to play their way into the tournament through the Germans. Luckily, they will get their chance on Oct. 10th in Moscow to state their case as to who is the best team in Eastern Europe.


7 (4). Italy


I know I may catch some heat for this but I am not sold nor impressed by the defending World Champs. I accredit this mainly to their performance in this summer’s Confederations Cup in which they suffered a disappointing loss to underdog Egypt and failed to qualify for the semifinals thanks to a final group stage loss to Brazil 3-1. While you can never count the Azzurri out, right now I’m not necessarily counting them in either.


8 (9). France


Although they have been struggling as of late, I can say with all certainty that France will make their way into the tournament no matter what it takes. There is too much veteran leadership on that squad to let the 2006 World Runners’ Up not qualify. They should get three easy points on Oct. 10th when they host the Faroe Islands (already eliminated), however they will have to fight for their lives when they host Austria, who defeated them last September 3-1.


9 (9). Croatia


Despite their 5-1 embarrassment to England a few days ago, Croatia has been impressive in their quest for a spot in the finals. They should have no problems claiming the second place spot in UEFA Group 6 thanks to playing bottom feeder Kazakhstan on October 14th for which should be an easy three points to close out their group stage play. From there, look for them to make it 4 out of 4 in qualifying for the World Cup finals.


10 (11). United States


After their historic run to the finals in this summer’s Confederation Cup in which they lost a heartfelt battle to Brazil 3-2, there has been an increased amount of hype around the Americans. The thing they gained most from the run is confidence, which was clearly lacking in their first matches against Italy and Brazil. Since their defeat of the then No. 1 ranked Spaniards in semifinals, they have played with the same “nothing to lose” mentality and it seems to be paying off. Will this be the year that the US officially puts American football on the map?