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here are the top 25 power rankings
Posted on: November 21, 2022 at 13:47:13 CT
tigerinhogtown STL
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World Cup Power Rankings
1
team logo Brazil
If you're picking holes then their full back corps does not look entirely convincing but set against that is a fleet of talent in attacking areas and a spine full of players at the peak of their powers. That Neymar has hit an impressive seam of form in recent months only makes this team look more dangerous.
2
team logo Argentina
Take your pick of who ranks one and two, not least because, like Brazil, Argentina have a world-class forward from Paris Saint-Germain who has excelled early in this season. There is a sense of destiny around Lionel Messi at the moment, aided by the fact that Lionel Scaloni has given him a team that accentuates his qualities and keeps clean sheets.
3
team logo Spain
Spain have plenty going for them, a clear identity and a midfield that can dictate the pace of the game. They create plenty of chances too but unless Alvaro Morata catches fire in long overdue fashion they might lack the killer instinct.
4
team logo France
The holders have plenty of players to get the ball in the net at one end and keep it out at the other. Doubts surface when you consider what happens in between with N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba sidelined, Aurelien Tchouameni might star but needs a better partner than Adrien Rabiot.
5
team logo Netherlands
The draw looks to have been kind to Louis van Gaal's side, who appear to have belied the stereotype of the Dutch as being the most unsettled of camps. A back three anchored by Virgil van Dijk has looked rock solid of late but if it is breached none of their goalkeepers inspire much confidence.
6
team logo England
A young squad that has already made a habit of deep runs in tournaments, everything should be looking rosy for England. And yet their travails in the Nations League have hurt Gareth Southgate's standing with a public perception that he gives far more rope to his favorites. Harry Maguire in particular has some vindicating to do.
7
team logo Uruguay
The dark horse selection du jour, Uruguay's standing on the world stage has increased notably over the last few months thanks to the form of one player in particular. Federico Valverde has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world, paired with Rodrigo Bentancur this could be a team to dominate opponents.
8
team logo Denmark
Twice victorious over France in the Nations League, this is a team that tick a lot of tournament boxes, most notably a solid defense and a deadly attack from set plays. If one of their forwards catches form this team could make an impact.
9
team logo Germany
Their 3-3 draw with England rather pointed to the problem with this German team. They're just not killers, as Logan Roy might put it. The talent pool is up there with the best at the World Cup but the defense looks shaky and the attack could misfire at any moment.
10
team logo Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is already making his presence felt at this World Cup for all the wrong reasons. If his on field relationship with Bruno Fernandes was iffy before what about now? This team could really miss Diogo Jota, who seemed to knit the disparate parts together.
11
team logo Croatia
Zlatko Dalic's side begin the tournament unbeaten in their last five with the Luka Modric-led core showing little inclination to obey the ageing process. With young stars like Josko Gvardiol in the mix this team could impress.
12
team logo Belgium
Ever fewer of the golden generation still seem to be in their prime years whilst the Achilles heel of a defense somehow still includes Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. Their last chance might already have passed.
13
team logo Switzerland
Seven players in this squad have over 50 caps to their name and the likes of Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji are shining at the highest level. No one tends to pay much attention to Switzerland but look away for a moment and they may slip into the quarter finals.
14
team logo Morocco
With Hakim Ziyech available once more this suddenly has the look of a threatening side, one that can ally his creativity to the defensive solidity that took them to Qatar. Their group is challenging but this may be Africa's best candidate to go deep.
15
team logo Japan
Their assertive 2-0 win over the USA in a recent friendly highlighted that this side is an impressive blend of technique and physicality. The draw has been unkind on them but neither Germany nor Spain should take their points for granted.
16
team logo Senegal
Sadio Mane's may be the most impactful injury imaginable at the World Cup, robbing Aliou Cisse of the killer forward who allows them to keep it tight at the other end and win the tight matches. There is still enough talent to just about escape the group stage but not much more.
17
team logo Serbia
This side have talent in abundance and it is easy to see Filip Kostic crosses to Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic proving effective. Will their lack of big tournament experience hinder Serbia though?
18
team logo Ecuador
La Tri have not conceded in their last six international matches. The problem is rather that they've only scored twice in that timeframe. Still this young side is one to keep an eye on.
19
team logo Mexico
The loss of Tecatito Corona could be a significant blow for Mexico and with Raul Jimenez not the force he was before his head injury it is hard to see this side racking up the goals. All they need, though, is enough to beat Poland .
20
team logo Wales
Gareth Bale's declaration that he can play three 90s in a row if required is a reminder of how much the forward raises his game in Welsh red. If he does then Rob Page's side might just have enough to sneak out of Group B.
21
team logo Iran
However, Carlos Quieroz's side should not be taken lightly. So much is unknowable about this team given the circumstances back home but in Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi they have game-winning forwards.
22
team logo Korea Republic
Even Heung-min Son doesn't seem to know what sort of Heung-min Son South Korea will be getting after he underwent surgery to get him to the World Cup without any game time. Kim Min-Jae anchors a strong defense and if their star forward is fit this could be a tough opponent.
23
team logo Poland
It is all well and good having Robert Lewandowski at the tip of the attack but you will only be so successful if you cannot get the ball to him that often. That seems to be Poland's big issue heading into the tournament and will need addressing swiftly.
24
team logo United States
There is young talent in midfield and on the flanks but Gregg Berhalter seems to have lost certainty in his vision for center forward and central defense. Those are two key components to the US's pressing game and they're in flux going into the World Cup. That is not a good sign.
25
team logo Ghana
https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/fifa-world-cup-2022-power-rankings-brazil-argentina-at-top-ahead-of-qatar-kickoff-england-outside-top-five/
1
team logo Brazil
If you're picking holes then their full back corps does not look entirely convincing but set against that is a fleet of talent in attacking areas and a spine full of players at the peak of their powers. That Neymar has hit an impressive seam of form in recent months only makes this team look more dangerous.
2
team logo Argentina
Take your pick of who ranks one and two, not least because, like Brazil, Argentina have a world-class forward from Paris Saint-Germain who has excelled early in this season. There is a sense of destiny around Lionel Messi at the moment, aided by the fact that Lionel Scaloni has given him a team that accentuates his qualities and keeps clean sheets.
3
team logo Spain
Spain have plenty going for them, a clear identity and a midfield that can dictate the pace of the game. They create plenty of chances too but unless Alvaro Morata catches fire in long overdue fashion they might lack the killer instinct.
4
team logo France
The holders have plenty of players to get the ball in the net at one end and keep it out at the other. Doubts surface when you consider what happens in between with N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba sidelined, Aurelien Tchouameni might star but needs a better partner than Adrien Rabiot.
5
team logo Netherlands
The draw looks to have been kind to Louis van Gaal's side, who appear to have belied the stereotype of the Dutch as being the most unsettled of camps. A back three anchored by Virgil van Dijk has looked rock solid of late but if it is breached none of their goalkeepers inspire much confidence.
6
team logo England
A young squad that has already made a habit of deep runs in tournaments, everything should be looking rosy for England. And yet their travails in the Nations League have hurt Gareth Southgate's standing with a public perception that he gives far more rope to his favorites. Harry Maguire in particular has some vindicating to do.
7
team logo Uruguay
The dark horse selection du jour, Uruguay's standing on the world stage has increased notably over the last few months thanks to the form of one player in particular. Federico Valverde has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world, paired with Rodrigo Bentancur this could be a team to dominate opponents.
8
team logo Denmark
Twice victorious over France in the Nations League, this is a team that tick a lot of tournament boxes, most notably a solid defense and a deadly attack from set plays. If one of their forwards catches form this team could make an impact.
9
team logo Germany
Their 3-3 draw with England rather pointed to the problem with this German team. They're just not killers, as Logan Roy might put it. The talent pool is up there with the best at the World Cup but the defense looks shaky and the attack could misfire at any moment.
10
team logo Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is already making his presence felt at this World Cup for all the wrong reasons. If his on field relationship with Bruno Fernandes was iffy before what about now? This team could really miss Diogo Jota, who seemed to knit the disparate parts together.
11
team logo Croatia
Zlatko Dalic's side begin the tournament unbeaten in their last five with the Luka Modric-led core showing little inclination to obey the ageing process. With young stars like Josko Gvardiol in the mix this team could impress.
12
team logo Belgium
Ever fewer of the golden generation still seem to be in their prime years whilst the Achilles heel of a defense somehow still includes Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. Their last chance might already have passed.
13
team logo Switzerland
Seven players in this squad have over 50 caps to their name and the likes of Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji are shining at the highest level. No one tends to pay much attention to Switzerland but look away for a moment and they may slip into the quarter finals.
14
team logo Morocco
With Hakim Ziyech available once more this suddenly has the look of a threatening side, one that can ally his creativity to the defensive solidity that took them to Qatar. Their group is challenging but this may be Africa's best candidate to go deep.
15
team logo Japan
Their assertive 2-0 win over the USA in a recent friendly highlighted that this side is an impressive blend of technique and physicality. The draw has been unkind on them but neither Germany nor Spain should take their points for granted.
16
team logo Senegal
Sadio Mane's may be the most impactful injury imaginable at the World Cup, robbing Aliou Cisse of the killer forward who allows them to keep it tight at the other end and win the tight matches. There is still enough talent to just about escape the group stage but not much more.
17
team logo Serbia
This side have talent in abundance and it is easy to see Filip Kostic crosses to Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic proving effective. Will their lack of big tournament experience hinder Serbia though?
18
team logo Ecuador
La Tri have not conceded in their last six international matches. The problem is rather that they've only scored twice in that timeframe. Still this young side is one to keep an eye on.
19
team logo Mexico
The loss of Tecatito Corona could be a significant blow for Mexico and with Raul Jimenez not the force he was before his head injury it is hard to see this side racking up the goals. All they need, though, is enough to beat Poland .
20
team logo Wales
Gareth Bale's declaration that he can play three 90s in a row if required is a reminder of how much the forward raises his game in Welsh red. If he does then Rob Page's side might just have enough to sneak out of Group B.
21
team logo Iran
However, Carlos Quieroz's side should not be taken lightly. So much is unknowable about this team given the circumstances back home but in Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi they have game-winning forwards.
22
team logo Korea Republic
Even Heung-min Son doesn't seem to know what sort of Heung-min Son South Korea will be getting after he underwent surgery to get him to the World Cup without any game time. Kim Min-Jae anchors a strong defense and if their star forward is fit this could be a tough opponent.
23
team logo Poland
It is all well and good having Robert Lewandowski at the tip of the attack but you will only be so successful if you cannot get the ball to him that often. That seems to be Poland's big issue heading into the tournament and will need addressing swiftly.
24
team logo United States
There is young talent in midfield and on the flanks but Gregg Berhalter seems to have lost certainty in his vision for center forward and central defense. Those are two key components to the US's pressing game and they're in flux going into the World Cup. That is not a good sign.
25
team logo Ghana
https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/fifa-world-cup-2022-power-rankings-brazil-argentina-at-top-ahead-of-qatar-kickoff-england-outside-top-five/
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here are the top 25 power rankings - tigerinhogtown STL - 11/21 13:47:13
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