World’s Best Soccer Teams

The world’s best soccer teams in the men’s and women’s games represent the absolute sporting pinnacle of international football, with the beautiful game in a fast-changing environment at a global level. The World Cup takes place every four years for both genders, as do continental competitions like the European Championship and Copa America.

The top soccer teams in the world differ greatly between men and women, but in our piece we have selected our top five in both fields. Spain, England and France overlap and feature in both, with Argentina, Brazil, Germany and the United States also included. In this comprehensive best soccer countries in the world guide you will be informed about these 10 teams in more detail.

• Best National Soccer Teams in the Men’s Game
• Best Soccer Countries in the World – Women’s

Best National Soccer Teams in the Men’s Game

The world’s best soccer teams from a male perspective offer a lengthy list, but we have chosen to examine current European Championship winners Spain, runners-up England, World Cup reigning champions Argentina, finalists from 2022 France, as well as the legendary Brazil.

Spain

With the 2010 World Cup and now four European Championship triumphs under their belt, Spain are the undisputed current leaders of men’s international soccer in Europe. Their 2-1 dismantling of England in the 2024 Euro final showcased their mettle as well as their strength in midfield and forward areas, with Dani Olmo a particular standout during the Spanish run through the tournament. Fabian Ruiz also impressed from a central midfield role, but it was the wide men of Neco Williams and Lamine Yamal that truly stole the show for Luis de la Fuente’s side.

Like Ruiz, Williams bagged twice during the competition with Olmo finishing on three goals and Yamal scoring just once, but it being arguably their most eye-catching – a sumptuous curling effort against France in the semi-finals. Captain Alvaro Morata selflessly led the line for Spain, while warrior right-back Dani Carvajal, former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte and Ballon D’or favorite Rodri also won over plenty of critics. Spain will now look to the 2026 World Cup in North America and try to land their second global title.

England

Starved of international glory since their famous World Cup winners of 1966, Gareth Southgate has revitalized English football during his eight-year tenure in charge. They have now finished runners-up at the Euros in 2020 (pushed to 2021 due to Coronavirus pandemic) as well as this summer in Berlin, falling agonizingly short to Spain. However, England will be confident they can extinguish their now 58-year wait for a trophy, as the as-of-yet unnamed new manager plots ahead to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Jude Bellingham – still just 21 years old – is only one superstar the Three Lions can expect even more from at the next tournament, alongside the likes of Bukayo Saka (22), Phil Foden (24), Kobbie Mainoo (19), Cole Palmer (22), Marc Guehi (24), Declan Rice (25), Trent Alexander-Arnold (25) and Anthony Gordon (23). Who knows which other young guns will come through before then, but in the meantime the Football Association must focus on hiring a new tactician. Pep Guardiola may be a pipe dream at this point, but whoever takes charge in 2026 will have an incredible roster of talent at their disposal.

Argentina

The great Argentina have won the World Cup three times and recently added a record 16th Copa America to their astonishing honors list. The trophies have started coming thick and fast for the world’s greatest player Lionel Messi, who was the best player and top scorer in their victorious 2021 Copa America campaign as well as the best player in their successful 2022 World Cup assault and even played a role in this summer’s 2024 Copa America win. That global Qatar success saw Enzo Fernandez pick up the Best Young Player award, with Emiliano Martinez landing the Golden Glove.

Currently managed by Lionel Scaloni, captain Messi may be well past his best at 37 but the next generation of La Selección stars are well and truly with him now. Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister (25) marshalls central midfield extremely well, while Manchester City hitman Julin Alvarez (24) is a premier marksman in the guile of the now-retired Sergio Aguero. Man Utd defender Lisandro Martinez and Lautauro Martinez -both 26 – are now being accompanied by younger promises in the form of Alejandro Garnacho (20) and Valentín Carboni (19).

France

France are one of the world’s best soccer teams in the men’s game, with two World Cup wins under their belts from the home tournament in 1998 and the 2018 edition in Russia. They have also finished runners-up and grabbed third place on two occasions each too, while they are two-time European Championship winners with a runners-up badge from 2016 which was also played on home soil. The French ’98 vintage destroyed Brazil 3-0 in Paris with Zinedine Zidane winning the Man-of-the-Match award in a team held together by the likes of Lilian Thuram, Marcel Desailly and Didier Deschamps.

In 2018 they had the great Kylian Mbappe to thank for sealing an exciting 4-2 win over Croatia, who was later named the Best Young Player in a controversial tournament held in Russia. Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann also scored that day, while N’Golo Kante and Raphael Varane were expert defensive minded players in Moscow. Their 1984 Euro winners had Michel Platini to thank for an astonishing nine goals on their way to winning the tournament in Paris again, while their Euro 2000 winners contained star men like Laurent Blanc, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry.

Brazil

Everyone’s favorite football country Brazil has won the World Cup an astonishing five times, with glory secured in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. They have nine Copa America titles too, with the last coming in 2019 thanks largely to goalkeeper Alisson, defender Dani Alves and forward Everton. The 1970 Brazil side is thought to be one of the greatest of all time, containing legendary striker Pele as well as captain Carlos Alberto and managed by Mario Zagallo.

The modern 2002 outfit was a stunning attacking force to be reckoned with, with hitman Ronaldo firing eight goals en route to triumph in Japan – two of which came in the final. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side also included defender Lucio, right-back Cafu, left-back Roberto Carlos and forwards Ronaldinho and Rivaldo. Since the coronavirus pandemic struck the world in 2020, Brazil’s footballing culture has taken a big hit, finishing runners-up in the 2021 Copa America to Argentina but then being dumped out of the 2022 World Cup at the quarter-final stage by Croatia and then Uruguay at the same point of the 2024 Copa America. Dorival Junior’s side will come again, but no one knows exactly when that could be just yet.

Top Soccer National Teams – Women’s

The world’s best soccer teams in the women’s game with online sportsbooks include reigning World Cup winners Spain, European Championship holders England, up-and-coming France and the historically successful Germany and United States.

Spain

La Roja is one of five international women’s teams to win the World Cup with their 2023 triumph coming in Australia and New Zealand, beating European Championship winners England 1-0 in Sydney. Olga Carmona scored the only goal of the final, but influential midfielder Aitana Bonmati landed the golden ball, Jennifer Hermoso picked up the silver ball and Salma Paralluelo grabbed the young player award. Bonmati, Hermoso and Alba Redondo all scored three goals apiece during the tournament, with Carmona and Paralluelo hitting two each.

That was Spain’s first major success on the world stage having reached the semi-finals of the 1997 Euros, but they followed up their World Cup win by landing the Nations League in 2024. Legendary forward Alexia Putellas is still going strong at 30, while head coach Montserrat Tome will now be looking ahead to the 2025 Euros, where England will again provide stiff competition. That Women’s edition will be held in Switzerland in July next year, with plenty of other sides eyeing glory themselves.

France

France have never won the women’s World Cup or European Championship but it is hard to deny that their time is coming on the international stage. Fourth place at the 2011 World Cup in Germany may be their best placing on the global stage, while their 2022 semi-final exit at the Euros was painful for many. Still, with Herve Renard in charge and the illustrious Wendie Renard as captain, they have the experienced leaders necessary to go for glory. Les Blues’ consistency at the peak of the women’s game is admirable, but they just need the next crop of youngsters to help them go further than they’ve ever reached before.

England

England ended their footballing wait for a major trophy that dated back to 1966 when the Lionesses secured Euro 2022 victory at Wembley with an extra-time 2-1 victory over old enemies Germany. Goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly that day ended the agonizing period of no success for a footballing mad nation. Beth Mead fired six goals during the tournament, with Alessia Russo hitting four and a clutch of players scoring twice – Ellen White, Fran Kirby, Georgia Stanway and Toone. Mead landed the best player of the competition award, with the team going on to finish runners-up a year later at the 2023 World Cup. Mary Earps landed the Golden Glove in Australia, but while Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Russo bagged three times each, it wasn’t enough to overcome Spain.

The Lionesses beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in April 2023 for the women’s Finalissima, but otherwise their best result was third at the 2015 World Cup in Canada. They finished runners-up at Euro 2009 in Finland and again at the 1984 Euros. Excitement has passed boiling point in England for their female stars with young options like Lauren James (22), Maya Le Tissier (22), Jess Park (22) accompanying the likes of captain Leah Williams (27), vice-captain Mille Bright (30) and Lucy Bronze (32) in the squad.

Germany

Germany are one of the best national soccer teams in the women’s game, having won two World Cups to go with their eight European Championships. They may have finished runners-up to England at Euro 2022, with their last continental title coming in 2013 in Sweden, when goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was awarded the best player award with defenders Saskia Bartusiak and Annike Krahn as well as midfielders Lena Goebling and Dzsenifer Marozsan, all named in the UEFA squad of the tournament. Angerer was also the best goalkeeper when they won the 2007 World Cup in China, while Birgit Prinz landed the top scorer with seven goals and the best player award at the 2003 edition in the US.

The modern German version doesn’t quite match up to its predecessors, but hopes are always high with captain Alexandra Popp joined by fellow prolific forwards Lea Schuller and Klara Buhl. Bayern Munich midfielder Lena Oberdorf (22) has an exciting future too.

United States

The undisputed top soccer national teams in women’s history, the US have a stunning four World Cup titles to their names, having lifted the game’s biggest prize in 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019. Their 2019 success in France saw Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe share the joint-top scorer award with England’s Ellen White, while Rapinoe also walked away as the tournament’s best player. The US dismissed the Netherlands in the final, having seen off England, France and Spain in the knockouts.

Going further back, the United States won the 2015 World Cup in Canada with Carli Lloyd hitting six goals and being awarded the best player gong, while they won on home soil in 1999 and away in China in 1991 where star forward trio April Heinrichs, Carin Jennins and Michelle Akers-Stahl shone. Team US won gold at the 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, while they were shockingly beaten by Sweden on penalties at just the round of 16 stage at the 2023 World Cup.