Pre-World Cup Power Rankings: Can Germany retain?

Published on: 24 March 2018

ESPN FC's global editorial desks nominate their top 10 countries to play at this summer's World Cup. Who do we think has the best shot to win it all?

1. Brazil | FIFA Rank: 2

After Luiz Felipe Scolari was humiliated 7-1 in the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup and Dunga oversaw an embarrassing group-stage exit from the 2016 Copa America, Brazil hired Tite in 2016. Since then, a deep, talented Selecao led by the likes of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho went on to top CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, 10 points clear of their closest challenger.

2. Spain | FIFA Rank: 6

Drawn into a qualifying group with Italy, Spain topped their qualifying group by five points and a plus-33 goal differential -- second-placed Italy's was just plus-13, and the Azzurri wouldn't survive their playoff against Sweden. Little remains of the Roja squad that dominated world football from 2008 to 2012, but the next wave of Spanish talent -- including Thiago, Isco and Marco Asensio -- appear ready to step into their elders' enormous boots.

3. Germany | FIFA Rank: 1

Germany defended their 2014 World Cup title by going perfect in qualifying for the 2018 edition -- the only team in Europe to go 10-0-0. Joachim Low is prepared to take charge in his sixth straight major tournament, as he is coming off a convincing Confederations Cup crown with Die Mannschaft's B team last summer. Germany's depth is unparalleled, and it is such that Low could conceivably select someone like Leroy Sane for the bench and Emre Can as a reserve.

4. France | FIFA Rank: 9

France went into Euro 2016 at home as heavy favourites, and the surprise 1-0 final defeat to unfancied Portugal proved to be an enormous gut punch for Les Bleus. They still finished top of their qualifying group for this summer's tournament, but dropped points to both a weakened Netherlands (a 4-1 walloping) and Belarus leaves questions of their mentality moving forward. However, France has a depth of quality in midfield and attack that rivals any in this World Cup.

5. Argentina | FIFA Rank: 4

Argentina waited until the final day of qualifying to book their tickets to Russia, and they did so only after Lionel Messi scored a hat trick in must-win game that La Albiceleste duly won -- 3-0 over Ecuador. It was an underwhelming qualification campaign, and the program has been listless since losing back-to-back Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016. But Argentina have Messi, and with him shining as bright as ever, they'll be favourites for a deep run this summer.

Matthias Hangst/Getty Images6. Belgium | FIFA Rank: 5

This summer will mark the final World Cup in which Belgium's golden generation will be in its prime. Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellaini, Mousa Dembele, Radja Nainggolan and Dries Mertens all will be 30 or older when the tournament kicks off -- and Toby Alderweireld and Axel Witsel each recently celebrated their 29th birthdays. If the Red Devils are going to come good, with elite talents like Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard leading the way, this is the year to do it.

7. Portugal | FIFA Rank: 3

Just as Argentina are capable of anything with an in-form Messi in their midst, the same can be said of Portugal and captain Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid star has scored 21 goals in his past 11 appearances. And even if the 33-year-old can't keep up that pace through the summer, his country proved at Euro 2016 that they didn't need him to win major silverware.

8. Uruguay: FIFA Rank: 22

Uruguay finished second in South American qualifying despite Luis Suarez struggling with a knee problem last fall that limited him to two goals in four of their final matches. Perhaps that's illustrative of the struggles the likes of Argentina, Colombia and Chile had this cycle, but it could equally demonstrate just how good Edinson Cavani (the region's leading goal scorer in qualifying) and the team's defence (one that kept eight clean sheets) have been.

9. England | FIFA Rank: 16

The serial underachievers. There are questions in goal, there are questions in defence and there are questions in midfield too. But for the first time in years, the Three Lions seem to have washed off the stench of arrogance. If Harry Kane can heal up from his ankle injury and return to the form he demonstrated all season, England could be a dark horse candidate to get past the quarterfinals for the first time since 1990.

10. Colombia | FIFA Rank: 13

Colombia finished third in a topsy-turvy CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, one that saw them just one point and three more goals against from missing out on the tournament all together. But in Davinson Sanchez and Jerry Mina, the South Americans have one of the most promising, young centre-back partnerships in the tournament. And Radamel Falcao has been reborn upon his return to Monaco last season. If James Rodriguez can have another stellar World Cup, Los Cafeteros could make some noise in Russia.

Also receiving votes: Mexico, Croatia.

Let us know what you think of the countdown by commenting below or on Twitter using #ESPNFCrankings.

Source: espn.co.uk

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