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FIFA Power Rankings: Top 20 National Teams After the First Quarter of 2011

Luis HerreraAnalyst IApril 1, 2011

GRANADA, SPAIN - MARCH 25:  David Villa of Spain (R) celebrates after scoring his second goal during the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier between Spain and Czech Republic at Los Carmenes Stadium on March 25, 2011 in Granada, Spain.  Spain win 2-1. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
David Ramos/Getty Images

The first quarter of 2011 is gone. It looks like a good moment to rate the strength and recent form of the National Squads in World Football.

The following ranking takes into account the strength of each team, their results since the World Cup and their position in the World Football Elo Ratings.

However, as with any power rating, there is a certain degree of subjectivity in this list, so we can discuss it in the comments section.

1. Spain

Last FIFA date results

Spain 2-1 Czech Republic (Euro 2012 Qualifying)

Lithuania 1-3 Spain (Euro 2012 Qualifying)

As long as they are the European and World Champions, it will be difficult to move La Furia Roja from the top of any ranking, especially considering they have a perfect pace in the Euro 2012 Qualifying Round.

2. Netherlands

Last FIFA date results

Hungary 0-4 Netherlands (Euro 2012 Qualifying)

Netherlands 5-3 Hungary (Euro 2012 Qualifying)

Scary stat: Netherlands has won 20 of their last 21 official matches. If we included friendly matches, the Oranje has 28 victories, 6 draws and 1 defeat in the last 35 games.

3. Germany

Last FIFA date results

Germany 4-0 Kazakhstan (Euro 2012 Qualifying)

Germany 1-2 Australia (Friendly)

Two days ago I was thinking about placing them higher… and then they lost at home against the Socceroos.

4. Brazil

Last FIFA date results

Brazil 2-0 Scotland (Friendly)

After losing their previous matches against Argentina and France, the Scratch du Oro bounced back with an easy victory against the Scottish squad.

5. Argentina

Last FIFA date results

United States 1-1 Argentina (Friendly)

Costa Rica 0-0 Argentina (Friendly)

La Albiceleste deserved better in both games, but in the end they had to settle with two draws.

6. Portugal

Last FIFA date results

Portugal 1-1 Chile (Friendly)

Portugal 2-0 Finland (Friendly)

The best news for Portugal in these matches was the debut of Ruben Micael, who scored twice against the Finish side.

7. England

Last FIFA date results

Wales 0-2 England (Euro 2012 Qualifying)

England 1-1 Ghana (Friendly)

Fabio Capello’s men are on their way to Poland-Ukraine, although a certain surprise team is making their life a bit more complicated.

8. Uruguay

Last FIFA date results

Estonia 2-0 Uruguay (Friendly)

Ireland 2-3 Uruguay (Friendly)

The World Cup semifinalists were stunned in their visit to Estonia, but bounced back by winning a thrilling match in Dublin.

9. Japan

Last FIFA date results

No activity

Why so high? They won the Asian Cup in January and are undefeated since the World Cup, including victories over Paraguay and Argentina in the second half of 2010. Give them some credit.

10. Ghana

Last FIFA date results

Congo 0-3 Ghana (African Nations Cup 2012 Qualifying)

England 1-1 Ghana (Friendly)

The only African side in the top 20 has started 2011 in a very good way.

11. Chile

Last FIFA date results

Portugal 1-1 Chile (Friendly)

Chile 2-0 Colombia (Friendly)

Great start for the coach Claudio Borghi after the departure of Marcelo Bielsa.

12. Italy

Last FIFA date results

Slovenia 0-1 Italy (Euro 2012 Qualifying)

Ukraine 0-2 Italy (Friendly)

La Squadra Azzurra has quickly forgotten about its failure in South Africa 2010, easily dominating their group in the Euro 2012 Qualifying Round.

13. Mexico

Last FIFA date results

Mexico 3-1 Paraguay (Friendly)

Mexico 1-1 Venezuela (Friendly)

El Tri impressed in its match against Paraguay, especially in the first half, but then disappointed in the game against La Vinotinto.

14. Australia

Last FIFA date results

Germany 1-2 Australia (Friendly)

The Socceroos were the surprise of the past FIFA date, defeating Die Mannschaft in Moenchengladbach.

15. Paraguay

Last FIFA date results

Mexico 3-1 Paraguay (Friendly)

United States 0-1 Paraguay (Friendly)

The team that was close to eliminating Spain in the World Cup had a very bad start of 2011 against Mexico, but bounced back beating the other Concacaf giant.

16. Croatia

Last FIFA date results

Georgia 1-0 Croatia (Euro 2012 Qualifying)

France 0-0 Croatia (Friendly)

Losing against a low-tier side and then getting a draw at the Stade de France explains in part why this team missed South Africa 2010.

17. France

Last FIFA date results

Luxembourg 0-2 France (Euro 2012 Qualifying)

France 0-0 Croatia (Friendly)

Les Bleus are slowly recovering from their embarrassing performance in the past World Cup.

18. United States

Last FIFA date results

United States 1-1 Argentina (Friendly)

United States 0-1 Paraguay (Friendly)

Juan Agudelo’s goal against Argentina was one of the few highlights of the FIFA date for Bob Bradley’s men.

19. Sweden

Last FIFA date results

Sweden 2-1 Moldova (Euro 2012 Qualifying)

The Swedish squad has lost only once in its past 14 matches, and it was against Netherlands in Amsterdam.

20. Montenegro

Last FIFA date results

Montenegro 1-0 Uzbekistan (Friendly)

A potential dark horse in the Euro 2012, this relatively unknown squad is tied with England at the top of their qualifying group… and they already got a 0-0 draw at Wembley.

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