FIFA updates its ranking of national soccer teams several times each year, using real-life results to determine where each country places worldwide. As of February 2024, Argentina led the men's rankings, having won the World Cup in 2022. Brazil were in fifth place, while France ranked second. Meanwhile, thehighest-ranked country in women's soccer, Spain, ranked eighth.
Which country has won the most World Cups?
Following the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Brazil remained the country with the most men’s World Cup titles, with a total of five. However, the Seleção’s last success came in 2002, and the team has mostly failed to progress past the quarter-final stage in recent tournaments. Meanwhile, two countries have won four World Cups: Germany and Italy. While Germany last won the competition in 2014, Italy failed to even qualify in 2018 and 2022. However, the Azzurri have had success in other areas, winning a second UEFA European Championship title in 2021.
Who are the best soccer players worldwide?
While past debates have largely focused on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a number of younger players have taken the sport by storm in recent years. Erling Haaland, the most valuable soccer player in the world, has impressed many since joining Manchester City. In his first season at the club, Haaland broke the record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League season, with 36. Meanwhile, Haaland’s former teammate Jude Bellingham made an immediate impact at Real Madrid, scoring 10 goals in his first 10 games. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder was the most expensive under-21 player in the world in 2023, being worth around 154 million euros.
