CNNSI.com World Cup Power Rankings |
Rank | PR* | Team |
1 | -- |  | Argentina |
So much talent it could probably put two teams together that would challenge for the title.
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2 | -- |  | France |
"Les Bleus" have dominated the world's game, winning the '98 World Cup and Euro 2000. |
3 | -- |  | Italy |
If Giovanni Trapattoni's side doesn't make the semifinals, its campaign will be deemed as a failure back home.
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4 | -- |  | Brazil |
Even with all their problems in qualifying, the Samba Kings can't be ruled out.
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5 | -- |  | England |
After an inspirational revival under Sven-Goran Eriksson, England is now a challenger for the title.
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6 | -- |  | Portugal |
The golden generation of Portuguese football finally gets a chance to showcase its skills.
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7 | -- |  | Spain |
The underachievers have the ingredients, but can Jose Antonio
Camacho cook up the right meal?
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8 | -- |  | Germany |
For once, it isn't one of the top-five favorites to win the title, but the Germans tend to rise to the occasion.
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9 | -- |  | Croatia |
The stars who took a shocking third in '98 may be past their prime, but you can't ignore their experience.
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10 | -- |  | Cameroon |
The Olympic gold medalists were the first team to earn a berth through qualifying play -- their fourth straight. |
11 | -- |  | Paraguay |
In qualifying, it beat Brazil for the first time ever and it was the only country not to lose to Argentina.
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12 | -- |  | Sweden |
They finished third in '94 but missed out in '98; hard work and organization might not cut it in the Group of Death. |
13
(tie) | -- |  | Denmark |
They nearly stunned Brazil in '98 and they could surprise a few more people this time around.
|
13
(tie) | -- |  | Russia |
Vladimir Beschastnykh's eight goals helped them qualify for the second time since the end of the Soviet Union.
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15 | -- |  | Belgium |
It is the first nation ever to actually qualify for six straight World Cups, having surprised the Czechs in a playoff
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16 | -- |  | Ireland |
Went undefeated in qualifying play, including two draws against Portugal and a 1-0 home win against Holland
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17
(tie) | -- |  | Nigeria |
The new football superpower won the '96 Olympic gold medal and qualified for a third straight World Cup.
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17
(tie) | -- |  | Poland |
The Polish showed no problems scoring in qualifying, becoming the first European side to clinch a berth.
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19 | -- |  | Turkey |
A surprise Euro 2000 quarterfinalist, it built on that success by making its first World Cup since 1954.
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20 | -- |  | Uruguay |
Came back to beat Australia in a playoff to make their 10th overall World Cup but their first in 12 years.
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22 | -- |  | Japan |
Philippe Troussier's side has earned the respect of the football community, and it has home-field advantage.
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23 | -- |  | Mexico |
A late qualifying surge earned a 12th World Cup berth, the most of any CONCACAF country.
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24 | -- |  | Slovenia |
It went undefeated through group play and a playoff with Romania to qualify for a first World Cup.
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25 |
-- |
 |
Ecuador |
It beat Brazil and Paraguay and impressed throughout qualifying to make the finals for the first time ever.
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26 | -- |  | United States |
Fourth straight trip and seventh overall despite the sport's status as sixth or seventh most important.
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27 | -- |  | Senegal |
Sent shockwaves by beating top African teams to qualify, and then making the African Nations Cup final.
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28 | -- |  | South Korea |
The home-field advantage boosts Guus Hiddink's side, which has never won a World Cup game in six trips.
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29 | -- |  | Costa Rica |
Made second World Cup by winning CONCACAF with a record 23 points; advance to second round in 1990.
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30 | -- |  | South Africa |
Technical director Jomo Sono leads the side into its second World Cup after Carlos Queiroz quit in March.
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31 | -- |  | Tunisia |
Coach Henri Michel quit in March because of what he described as poor working conditions.
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32 | -- |  | Saudi Arabia |
Scored 43 goals in qualifying, the most of any nation, to make a third World Cup; finished 12th at USA '94.
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32 | -- |  | China |
Coach Bora Milutinovic aims to make the first-time qualifiers his fifth team to reach the second round.
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