Unlike football clubs, ranking national teams is difficult because, apart from the FIFA World Cup, the continental tournaments are different in terms of time, competitiveness, and quality.
Also, a major international tournament can significantly boost or decrease the rating of a country.
So, the most reliable source for rating football national teams is the FIFA Rankings.
In the FIFA Rankings, countries are ranked with points based on their results — with the most successful teams ranked highest.
It was introduced in December 1992.
In this article, TOP SOCCER BLOG brings you the top 10 best national football teams in the world in 2023.
Note: This list of the best national soccer teams in the world is not entirely based on the FIFA rankings but also on the national teams that are considered the best right now.
1. Argentina
The current Argentina team is blessed with Lionel Messi, but over the years, it became apparent that Messi alone cannot win them a title.
The current Albiceleste team includes players such as Lionel Messi, Otamendi, Marcus Acuña, Giovanni Lo Celso, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martínez, and Nico González.
The Albiceleste had suffered heartbreaks in the last decade but finally won the Copa America last year and the Finalissima too.
However, to crown it all, Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after an emphatic performance in the tournament.
The South American nation is one of the countries with the most trophies in football.
2. France
The 2018 world champions are a match for anyone, and they could amazingly choose three or four completely different starting elevens from their abundant crop of stars that could still go far in an international tournament.
The presence of the likes of Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembele, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane, et al. means France are a force to be reckoned with.
They are also upcoming French talents like Randal Kolo Muani, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Marcus Thuram, and Khéphren Thuram.
The Les Blues will be hoping to finally win the European Championships in 2024.
France are one of the countries that have always been good at soccer for many years.
3. Brazil
Brazil are the most successful country in international football history — having won the most FIFA World Cup titles (5).
The Selecao have also produced some of the greatest footballers in history.
Even now, the current Brazilian team includes a mixture of experienced veterans and talented youngsters such as Neymar, Rodrygo, Richarlison, Alisson, Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos, Casemiro, and Vinicius Junior.
Brazil is historically a dominant force in international soccer, having won the FIFA World Cup a record five times.
4. Belgium
The recent Belgian national team is the country’s golden generation, and their squad is stacked in all areas of the pitch.
Following a highly disappointing outing at the just-concluded FIFA World Cup, Belgium are gradually rebuilding their team.
Belgium seems to have improved a lot under the tutelage of new coach Domenico Tedesco.
Their best tournament performances saw them finish third at the 2018 World Cup and runners-up at the 1980 European Championship.
Nonetheless, Belgium has been consistently ranked as one of the top teams in world football in recent years, achieving their highest-ever FIFA ranking of #1 in November 2015.
5. England
The current England national team squad boasts of a pool of extremely talented players, both experienced players and youngsters.
The Three Lions reached the semi-finals of the last World Cup in Russia and the final of the European championships last year.
Gareth Southgate’s side will look forward to taking a step further by winning the upcoming Euros in 2024.
They are among the countries that have won the World Cup, which they clinched in 1966.
England also has several promising young talents coming through the ranks. Some of the notable young talents in England at the moment include Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Harvey Elliot, Rico Lewis, and Phil Foden.
6. Netherlands
The Netherlands are one of the more modest European nations, but they have a rich football history, and the current squad can compete at the highest level.
The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, and Matthijs de Ligt make them a force to be reckoned with.
The Dutch have a notorious history of causing major upsets at tournaments and, at the same time, fumbling under pressure.
7. Croatia
Croatia’s current national football team has been performing well in recent years, having reached the 2018 World Cup final and finishing in second place.
They also made it to the knockout stages of the 2020 European Championship and finished third at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The team is currently coached by Zlatko Dalić, who led them to their historic World Cup run.
The team has several talented players, including Luka Modrić, Ante Rebić, Ivan Perišić, and Mateo Kovačić.
The Croatians are known for their strong midfield and technical ability, which has helped them compete with some of the best teams in the world.
Overall, Croatia is considered one of the best national soccer teams in the world due to their recent performances and talented players.
8. Italy
Roberto Mancini has been building an exciting squad since his appointment, and there are plenty of young, talented players (mixed with veterans) in the current squad.
The team has several talented players, including Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Marco Verratti, Nicolo Barella, Gianluigi Donnaruma, and Jorginho.
Their fall-off after winning the 2006 World Cup was dramatic, but Italy are back after winning the Euros in 2021.
Unfortunately, the Azzuri did not participate in the World Cup after shockingly getting eliminated by Northern Macedonia in the qualifiers.
However, Italy still remains one of the best football national teams in the world and are currently ranked 7th in the latest FIFA World rankings.
9. Portugal
Portugal’s current national football team has been performing well in recent years, having won the 2016 European Championship and reached the round of 16 in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.
They also won the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
The team is led by their star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is considered one of the best players in the world.
Beyond the Al Nassr striker, though, Portugal now have a lot of talent in the likes of Bernardo Silva, João Felix, Ruben Neves, Ruben Dias, and Bruno Fernandes.
The team is currently coached by former Belgium coach, Roberto Martinez, who seems to have brought a defensive solidity to the team.
10. Spain
Spain suffered a painful elimination at the hands of Morocco in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Nonetheless, Spain are still one of the top teams in international football, and their squad of 2008-2012 are undoubtedly one of the best soccer teams of all time.
Although La Roja aren’t what they were a decade ago, there’s still a lot of talent at Luis de la Fuente’s disposal, and it’s hard to bet against them in any game they play.
The current squad is capable of standing up against any team in the world.
Spain also has several promising young talents coming through the ranks. Some of these young talents in Spain at the moment include Pedri, Gavi, Yeremy Pino, Ansu Fati, and Alejandro Balde.
