FIFA World Cup 2010 Team Rankings- 05/15/2010
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Written by Evan Jacoby
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May 15, 2010
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Every 4 years, millions of fans become captivated by the world’s largest sporting event, international soccer’s World Cup. The event brings together 32 different countries and cultures all with 1 dream of taking home a trophy representative of years of practice, hustle, perseverance, and execution. Some call it soccer, and others say football, but everyone who’s a fan calls it “the beautiful game.” The world’s largest sport hosts a month-long summer tournament that pits world soccer powers against one another. The long history and rich tradition of the World Cup attracts more spectators and TV viewers than any other sporting event, and nothing comes even close. The 2010 FIFA World Cup is being played in South Africa, and the event has an opportunity to change the entire country’s way of life, if not for years then at least during the months leading up to and following the hosting of the Cup. That introduction was just to let casual fans know how important this event is. For the rest of us, we know all about the significance of the tournament, and have been waiting patiently for 4 years for FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010. We are now about 4 weeks away from the kick-off of World Cup 2010, which begins on June 11. The next day, the United States takes on England in the most anticipated American soccer game in recent history. Without further ado, here’s a ranking of the top teams in the FIFA World Cup. Take it in and get to know these teams so you won’t be out of the loop come June. And as always, let me know what you think: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Top Tier - The Favorites: 1. SPAIN - Always a talented bunch, the Spanish team is finally tabbed as a favorite to win the World Cup. Spain’s 2010 squad has the talent as always, but now also has the experience and chemistry that can take them to the top. All their top offensive players are in the prime of their careers, and the defense is a strong, veteran unit. Coming off winning the 2008 European Championship, Spain is looking to now prove itself as the top world power. (’06 result: L in round of 16) Best Players - There are so many great ones on this team. FERNANDO TORRES (25 years old) has been a superstar since he was 18, and has now developed into one of the world’s top strikers. He has incredible pace and finishing ability. XAVI (30) and ANDRES INIESTA (25) are teammates on their club team Barcelona, and have become two of the best distributing midfielders in the world. DAVID VILLA (28) joins Torres up front as a dominant goal scorer. Despite his diminutive frame, his shot is very powerful. CARLOS PUYOL (31) has long been considered the best central defender in the world, and still has much gas left in the tank. He has a nonstop motor and frustrates opposing strikers. And IKER CASILLAS (28) might be the best goalkeeper in the world. 2. BRAZIL - The country with the richest soccer tradition, Brazil has been a dominant force for 80 years. They won the World Cup in 1958, ’62, ’70, ’94, and 2002. From Pele to Ronaldo, they have never lacked star power. This year, they are again a favorite to win. The question for the Brazilians is which combination of players can produce the best chemistry on the field. They have tons of superstars, but it hasn’t always produced top form on the field. Head coach Dunga has decided to hold superstar Ronaldinho off the squad, and similar combinations of moves must be made to create the best possible team chemistry. (’06 result: L in round of 8, quarterfinals) Best Players - KAKA (27 years old) has been one of the world’s best midfielders for years. The FIFA World Player of the Year in 2007, Kaka has uncanny ball control and precision. He’s a little older now and coming off a knee injury, but still a full-field explosive talent. LUIS FABIANO (29) is an explosive striker and prolific goal scorer, though inconsistent at times. LUCIO (31) has been a top central defender for years, and is an asset on set pieces with his headers. He is to Brazil what Puyol is to Spain. DANI ALVES (26) is a right back defender who plays solid D but also is used as an extra attacker on the wing. He makes great runs with the ball and takes most of the team’s free kicks. Finally, JULIO CESAR (30) is one of the 2 or 3 best goalies in the world. This team is loaded in every phase of the game. 3. ARGENTINA - Led by the best player in the world (Lionel Messi), Argentina is primed for a deep run in 2010. They have a veteran back line with playmaking midfielders and tough strikers to score goals. The Argentines play at a quick pace with their terrific ball control and passing ability. The question mark for this team has been their toughness and chemistry. Coach Diego Maradona is a playing legend, but has been a controversial coach. Some feel that he is not the man for the job, but he will lead the squad in 2010. If their defense and intensity is there, we know Argentina has the offensive talent to win. (’06 result: L in round of 8, quarterfinals) Best Players - LIONEL MESSI (22 years old) is the reigning FIFA Player of the Year and world’s most talented offensive player. He’s an attacking midfielder with unreal ball control and pace that makes every right decision in-game and has a nonstop motor. CARLOS TEVEZ (26) is a monster goal scorer and strong striker. SERGIO AGUERO (21) and GONZALO HIGUAIN (22) are a pair of young stars on the front line that can score from distance and create for each other. JAVIER MASCHERANO (25) is a rock as a defensive midfielder, who specializes in tackling and marking. 4. NETHERLANDS - The Dutch are an underrated European power that are looking to secure their spot as a top world team after disappointing in the last 2 World Cups. They did not even qualify in 2002. The 2010 squad is full of dynamic offensive players that can score in an instant. This team has lacked consistent play from the defense and goalkeeping positions, and that will again be the key to their performance in the World Cup. We know they have the offensive talent to advance far, and their counter-attack ability is a major strength. (’06 result: L in round of 16) Best Players - ROBIN VAN PERSIE (26 years old) is a crafty left-footed striker in the prime of his career. He is a prolific goal scorer but also occupies space in the midfield. ARJEN ROBBEN (26) is another dynamic left-footed attacker. He plays an attacking mid position as a left winger, and specializes in breaking down opponents with the ball and scoring from distance. WESLEY SNEIJDER (25) is a playmaking midfielder that takes set pieces and finds teammates in space. He can also score from distance. GIO VAN BRONCKHORST (35) is the veteran leader and captain of the team. He is a left back/midfield hybrid who is at the tail end of his career but has one more good run in him as a spirited and tactical leader. 5. GERMANY - The German squad is a veteran bunch with a long history of success in the World Cup. They won it all in ’54, ’74, and ’90, and finished in 3rd place in the 2006 competition. While they lack in speed, youth, and explosiveness, they dominate in strength, experience, and consistency. This team is comprised of veteran stars in all phases, and is looking for a strong finish in 2010 to complete a great run with this roster of players. (’06 result: L in semifinals, 3rd place) Best Players - MICHAEL BALLACK (33 years old) might look like Matt Damon, but plays like Jason Bourne, if you follow me there. He is a strong, veteran attacking midfielder that can set up teammates, score great goals, and halt attacks as a defender. He is also the captain of the squad. LUKAS PODOLSKI (24) was once touted as the next great striker in the world, but has not developed as planned. He’s still supremely talented and can score in bunches as a left-footed attacker. MIROSLAV KLOSE (31) complements Podolski as a well-positioned, strong, consistent striker who is known for his tremendous play in-air and scoring header goals. PHILIP LAHM (26) is one of the world’s most gifted defenders. He is a rock as a left back, but excels in moving forward and making runs down the wing with tremendous dribbling skills. BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER (25) made a name for himself with a hat-trick in the third-place game in 2006, and is an explosive outside midfielder. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Second Tier - The Contenders: 6. FRANCE - The French team only qualified for this World Cup thanks to Thierry Henry’s infamous handball goal, but are now a force to be reckoned with. The ’06 runners-up have unfinished business to settle and are looking to win it this time around. They won it all in 1998 and are a veteran bunch hoping for one last hurrah at the top. (’06 result: L in finals, 2nd place) Best Players - FRANCK RIBERY (26 years old) is a ball control master of the midfield who can do any and every thing with the ball at his feet. THIERRY HENRY (32) has certainly lost a step or two, but is still one of the world’s most feared strikers and goal scorers, who is a crafty finisher. PATRICE EVRA (29) is a veteran left back with the ability to make runs on the wing. NICOLAS ANELKA (30) is an aggressive forward who can score in a variety of ways.
7. ENGLAND - The world power of England has not won the World Cup in 44 years and is becoming desperate for another win. They have the collection of veteran stars this time around that can contend for the Cup, but must find a way to use their slower, deliberate pace as an advantage. The up-tempo games of Spain, Argentina, Brazil etc. have been able to dominate England’s style of late. The goalkeeper position is also a major question mark. The offensive firepower is there to lead them to victory. (’06 result: L in round of 8, quarterfinals) Best Players - WAYNE ROONEY (24 years old) is the best striker in the world when he is healthy. He gives 110% effort at all times and has tremendous field awareness and goal-scoring prowess. He even drops back to defend when needed. STEVEN GERRARD (29) is a legendary long-range shooter who scores some of the most incredible goals from distance. He is also a hard-nosed defender and fine passer, and one of the world’s rocks as a central midfielder. FRANK LAMPARD (31) is in some ways a Gerrard-clone, but plays more of a versatile role for England, as he roams the field and creates for others. JOHN TERRY (29) has been in the headlines for the craziest of stories, and it led to his stripped captaincy. But on the field, he’s still a fierce central defender in the Lucio mold, who is a leader and an asset on set pieces. 8. ITALY - The reigning World Cup champions have been basking in their glory ever since the penalty shootout victory over France in the finals of 2006. They have also won the Cup 4 times, second only to Brazil. But this time around, questions remain about the squad’s form and lack of explosion. Their two best players are in their 30’s, and age is catching up with their goal scorers. They still have a veteran style and tough-minded unit that can effectively defend their title. (’06 result: W in finals, World Cup Champions) Best Players - GIANLUIGI BUFFON (32 years old) has been the world’s top goalkeeper for almost a decade. While he may be a little more vulnerable with his increasing age, his wisdom and awareness make for a perfect positional keeper. ANDREA PIRLO (30) is a legendary playmaker with tremendous passing skills and vision in the midfield. He is the Steve Nash of the pitch. FABIO CANNAVARO (36) was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2006, and finished second in voting for the 2006 World Cup Golden Ball winner, or MVP. He is getting old, but the rock-solid central defender is still the captain and leader of the defending champs. GIUSEPPE ROSSI (23) is the centerpiece of the Italian future, as a young and energetic scoring forward. 9. PORTUGAL - The Portuguese squad barely qualified for the Cup this year, after a disappointing run in the qualifying stage. But they made it, and can never be counted out with Cristiano Ronaldo on the team. The team has struggled with poor goalkeeping and defensive strategy, while lacking offensive firepower to complement Ronaldo. Essentially, Portugal is plagued by a lack of team talent around Ronaldo that is similar to the Cavaliers and their team around LeBron James. But they did well in 2006 and are hoping for a similar result this time around. (’06 result: L in semifinals, 4th place) Best Players - CRISTIANO RONALDO (25 years old) was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008 and long-considered the most talented player in the world. The midfield/forward hybrid is still one of the world’s best, and has unmatched skill with the ball, with the ability to deke defenders, make perfect passes, and find the back of the net time and time again. NANI (23) is a high-upside striker that can score fantastic goals, but is plagued by inconsistency. PEPE (27) is a rock as a central defender, but has struggled to stay healthy. DECO (32) is one of the national team’s finest historic performers, but no longer possesses the pace to dominate. He still has great field vision and awareness. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Third Tier - The Sleepers: 10. IVORY COAST - The African powers of the Ivory Coast have a talented lineup that is bursting onto the scene, led by Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. They qualified for their first World Cup in 2006, but failed to advance out of the group stage. They were victims of a tough group pairing the last time around, and are again part of the toughest group in 2010. Only 2 of themselves, Brazil, and Portugal can advance, so they are hoping for a terrific performance to make it out of Group G. (’06 result: L in group stage, round of 32) Best Players - DIDIER DROGBA (31 years old) is one of the world’s finest strikers. He is unparalleled as a physical specimen as a forward, and can dominate by imposing his will on opponents. He is a top-notch goal scorer and finisher. YAYA TOURE (26) is a force to be reckoned with as a defensive midfielder. He is a fantastic tackler and can shut down opposing attacks by himself. SOLOMON KALOU (24) is Drogba’s teammate on Chelsea, and complements the big man well. He is good with the ball and can make runs on the wing as well as score up top. EMMANUEL EBOUE (26) is a solid back on defense that is reliable as a marksman, and makes good decisions with the ball. 11. USA - The American squad is hoping for a great result in 2010 that can revive soccer in the states. The USA team has several world-class players and the experience to get it done. They played very well in the 2009 Confederations Cup, advancing to the finals and barely losing to Brazil, 3-2. Along the way, they beat Spain and had a 2-0 lead on Brazil, and proved that they can play with the top teams in the world. The problem with the team right now is health. Huge contributors Charlie Davies, Clint Dempsey, and Oguchi Onyewu all suffered major injuries in the last 6 months that have their fitness in doubt for the World Cup. Davies is not expected to make a full recovery, while Onyewu is just getting back into form, and Dempsey continues to train. USA were victims of the Group of Death in 2006 and were unable to advance past the group stage, but got a better draw this time around. American soccer fans have been waiting for 4 years to watch this squad play on the big stage in 2010, and we are expecting at least an advancement into the round of 16. USA has some talented players with a combination of youth and experience, and you never know what can happen. (’06 result: L in group stage, round of 32) Best Players - LANDON DONOVAN (27 years old) is a world-class attacking midfielder that thrives in the open field with great vision and playmaking ability. He is not a traditional goal scorer, but will be relied on to attack the net. He has terrific pace and is a good decision-maker on attacks. JOZY ALTIDORE (20) is a young star striker with the body and make-up to compete at the highest level. He is still a bit raw and can get lost in games, but his upside is tremendous. He is very strong and has good positioning as a forward with a knack for the back of the net. TIM HOWARD (31) is a top-notch goalkeeper for Everton, and continues to be a staple of American soccer. He has been threatened by Brad Guzan for playing time, but Howard still has the skills to dominate in net. MICHAEL BRADLEY (22) is coach Bob Bradley’s son, and a rising star in the midfield as a winger. He excelled as a goal scorer in the Dutch league in 2008, and has shown goalscoring prowess in the German Bundesliga and during National Team qualifying play. Bradley must be a difference maker in the midfield for the USA to compete. OGUCHI ONYEWU (28) is a world-class central defender that plays for AC Milan. He is coming off a torn knee tendon, and just rounding into form. When healthy, he is a dominant force on defense and physical specimen that can body up with anyone and be a rock in the box. 12. CAMEROON - Led by one of the world’s best strikers (Samuel Eto’o), Cameroon has been Africa’s best national power for years. They failed to qualify in 2006, but are back and ready to compete this time around. They have a solid goalkeeper, defensive unit, and forward tandem, and just need to find more consistency from the midfield. They could be a sleeper in 2010. (’06 result: Did Not Qualify for World Cup) Best Players - SAMUEL ETO’O (28 years old) has been one of the world’s best forwards for several years. At Inter Milan, Eto’o has continued to thrive as a goal-scorer and playmaker up top. He has supreme confidence and great ball skills in the box. WEBO (28) is a veteran goal-scorer up front that complements Eto’o well. IDRISS KAMENI (26) is a fantastic goalkeeper that has been a staple of the squad for years. BENOIT ASSOU-EKOTTO (26) and STEPHANE MBIA (23) are solid left and right back defenders. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Just Missed the Cut: 13. GREECE - European Champions in 2004, have some strong midfield players and attackers 14. SWITZERLAND - Won their qualifying group, could be the favorites to advance out of their group amongst Chile, Honduras, themselves 15. GHANA - African power, have one of the world’s best players in defensive midfielder Michael Essien 16. URUGUAY - Two-time World Cup champs, the latest in 1950, have one of the world’s best strikers in Diego Forlan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Rest of the Field: 17. Australia
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Comments on these rankings? Let me know. And get excited for World Cup South Africa 2010, starting June 11th.
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