sport news Qatar World Cup - how do all 32 teams rank with just seven weeks to go until ... trends now

sport news Qatar World Cup - how do all 32 teams rank with just seven weeks to go until ... trends now
sport news Qatar World Cup - how do all 32 teams rank with just seven weeks to go until ... trends now

sport news Qatar World Cup - how do all 32 teams rank with just seven weeks to go until ... trends now

And that's it! The final international break ahead of the Qatar World Cup is over as the days continue to tick by until this winter's historical tournament begins.

In just over seven weeks Qatar will take on Ecuador in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup.

As Harry Kane trudged off the Wembley pitch on Monday having helped to inspire England to an enthralling comeback in their 3-3 draw with Germany, the next time he will pull on the Three Lions shirt will be in Doha when Gareth Southgate's side face Iran.

England's 3-3 draw with Germany on Monday was their last game ahead of the World Cup

England's 3-3 draw with Germany on Monday was their last game ahead of the World Cup

Brazil enjoyed a successful international break and look like one of the favourites for Qatar

Brazil enjoyed a successful international break and look like one of the favourites for Qatar

While several teams do fit in pre-tournament friendlies in the week preceding the opening World Cup game, the major preparation is already done and those games will be for fine-tuning rather than anything else.

However, after a disastrous week for several of Europe's big hitters such as France, England and Germany, there is a lack of certainty and confidence in terms of how they will perform in Qatar.

On the other hand, it's been a positive break for Brazil, Argentina and Croatia, with a plethora of teams looking in good shape. 

The national team managers will now be intently examining their options ahead of naming their 26-man squads, with the deadline for this on November 13. 

Below, Sportsmail ranks all 32 teams heading into the World Cup based on the shape they're in.

 1 - Brazil

After dispatching Ghana and Tunisia 3-0 and 5-1 respectively over the past week, Brazil look like they will be the team to beat in Qatar. 

Despite facing two so-called lower-level opponents, Tite's side is littered with world class talent and they have now won seven successive games, scoring 26 goals and conceding just two in the process.

Powered by Neymar and Vinicius Jr, the depth of Brazil's options is unbelievable, with the Arsenal trio of Gabriels in Jesus, Martinelli and Magalhaes failing to make the most recent squad.

Coupled with an experienced defence and two world class keepers in Alisson and Ederson, the world No 1 ranked side will be the team to beat in Qatar.

Brazil have won seven games in a row, scoring 26 goals and conceding just two in the process

Brazil have won seven games in a row, scoring 26 goals and conceding just two in the process

2 - Belgium

Despite a disappointing Nations League campaign that saw Roberto Martinez's side lose twice to the Netherlands, the Belgians are littered with star names heading into the peak of their careers.

With a fit and firing Kevin De Bruyne, a world class goalkeeper in Thibaut Courtois and a proven goalscorer Romelu Lukaku, they promise to be a dangerous outfit after their third place finish in Russia four years ago.

They looked tired at times during the Nations League and there are worries about an ageing defence, but with further promising young players coming through such as Charles De Ketelaere and big-game stars, Martinez will be confident in his side.

3 - Argentina

Having won both the Copa America in 2021 and then dispatched Italy 3-0 in the Finalissima earlier this summer, Argentina will fancy their chances in Qatar.

With Lionel Messi entering perhaps his final World Cup and having scored nine times in his past four internationals, Argentina are purring, having not lost a game since July 2019.

The past week saw them earn comfortable 3-0 victories over Honduras and Jamaica, and they will back themselves to go all the way at the World Cup. 

Lionel Messi is flying for Argentina, having scored nine times in his past four internationals

Lionel Messi is flying for Argentina, having scored nine times in his past four internationals

4 - Spain

After impressing at Euro 2020 with several young stars, Luis Enrique has continued to build ahead of the World Cup.

A dramatic 1-0 win over Portugal on Tuesday secured their path to the Nations League finals, where they will look to avenge their defeat in the final to France last year.

The talented Pedri and Gavi - 19 and 18 respectively are likely to have a key part to play, while Alvaro Morata answered the critics by scoring the winner last night.

Spain and Luis Enrique have continued to build on their semi-final defeat at Euro 2020

Spain and Luis Enrique have continued to build on their semi-final defeat at Euro 2020

5 - Holland

Since a third place finish in the 2014 World Cup, it has been a barren period for the  Netherlands as they failed to qualify for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup before exiting at the Round of 16 stage at Euro 2020.

But, under the guidance of Louis Van Gaal, who returned to the job following the Euros, they've excelled, winning their Nations League group and beating Belgium twice.

Victories against Belgium and Poland during the past week without conceding a goal will give Van Gaal and his team plenty of confidence moving forward. 

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk is the heartbeat of Louis Van Gaal's impressive Holland team

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk is the heartbeat of Louis Van Gaal's impressive Holland team

 6 - France

A lengthy injury list, several scandals and a dreadful run of form - French football has had better weeks.

Following a narrow win against Austria to avoid relegation from the Nations League, France put in a dismal performance in a 2-0 defeat to Denmark to heap pressure on Didier Deschamps.

The reigning World Cup champions are mired in uncertainty heading into the tournament on and off the pitch, although you would be foolish to ever write off a squad with so much talent. 

The reigning World Cup champions France had a tough international break on and off the pitch

The reigning World Cup champions France had a tough international break on and off the pitch

7 - Croatia

Perhaps surprisingly high on this list, Croatia have the potential to be dark horses in Qatar after winning their Nations League group which included France, Denmark and Austria.

With a quality and experienced midfield of Luke Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic, along with young talents such as the highly-rated Josko Gvardiol, could the Croats repeat their 2018 heroics where they reached the final?

Croatia have a perfect blend of youth and experience and won their Nations League group

Croatia have a perfect blend of youth and experience and won their Nations League group

8 - Portugal 

The Cristiano Ronaldo conundrum that has dominated discussions over Manchester United's selection for the past year has reached the Portugal national team after CR7 failed to impress during the international break.

Despite a 4-0 hammering of Czech Republic, Ronaldo struggled to impact the game and his performance was heavily criticised in their 1-0 loss to Spain.

With a whole host of superb attacking options behind Ronaldo, including Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota, all is not lost for the long-serving Fernando Santo and there is still the potential for success this winter. 

Cristiano Ronaldo struggled for Portugal during games against Czech Republic and Spain

 9 - Germany

Another of Europe's big-hitters who had a pretty disastrous week, Germany lost 1-0 to Hungary before Monday's 3-3 draw with England.

Hansi Flick's side ended with seven points from six Nations League games, and now have five draws from eight fixtures this year.

Against Hungary and England they looked vulnerable in defence, while the poor form of Bayern Munich, which houses several of the the national team's stars, is another worry.

10 - England

The glorious tournament summers of the 2018 World Cup and the delayed 2020 Euros seem a long time away now after another disappointing international break.

While the late fightback against Germany does at least give some semblance of positivity and avoided a toxic atmosphere at the final whistle at Wembley, Gareth Southgate has several problems to address.

Finishing with three points from six Nations League games is unacceptable, while Monday's goals were England's first from open play goal for more than five games - the Three Lions must improve dramatically if they are going to have any chance of success in Qatar.

It was another tough international break for Gareth Southgate as pressure continues to build

It was another tough international break for Gareth Southgate as pressure continues to build

The Three Lions have struggled in 2022 and look a shadow of their former selves

The Three Lions have struggled in 2022 and look a shadow of their former selves

 11 - Senegal

Fresh off their 2022 AFCON success, Senegal will back themselves to match their nation's success at the 2002 World Cup when they reached the quarter-finals.

Powered by Sadio Mane and a British-based core of Ismaila Sarr, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, they will hope to take advantage of their favourable draw in Group A alongside Qatar, Ecuador and the Netherlands. 

Over the past week, they beat Bolivia 2-0 and earned a creditable draw with Iran. 

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year and will hope to impress in Qatar

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year and will hope to impress in Qatar

12 - Denmark  After an inspiring run to the semi-finals at Euro 2020 following Christian Eriksen suffering a cardiac arrest, they have looked mightily impressive over the past year. 

Denmark narrowly missed out on qualification for the Nations League final, with their campaign capped off by a superb victory over France.

Talisman Eriksen is back and likely to play a key role in Qatar for this exciting Danish side. 

13 - Serbia

Free-scoring Serbia are another team emerging as dark horses in Qatar after a dominant Nations League campaign that saw them pip Norway to promotion into League A.

With two fearsome strikers in form in Aleksandar Mitrovic and Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic, they've won nine

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