Belgium will take a seat on the top of FIFA's international ratings for a fourth successive year at the quit of a record-breaking 365 days for worldwide football.
Having seen just 352 full internationals take region in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, the fewest considering 1987 (323), things had been cranked up numerous notches this 12 months as World Cup qualification attracted awareness.
A overall of 1,116 FIFA internationals were performed across 2021, a brand new report, with groups making up for the lack of action a 12 months earlier.
While the frequency of games modified notably, one steady stays: Belgium lead the manner yet again, edging out Brazil through 2.1 points, whilst UEFA Nations League winners France end the year 0.33.
European champions Italy pass into 2022 in sixth having claimed 115.77 points extra than in 2020, whilst Copa America winners Argentina are one vicinity better off, enhancing on their 2020 points total by 108.51 points.
But the most important improvement of the yr has been recorded with the aid of Canada, whose ranking of fortieth is the joint-highest they've ever been.
The Canucks reached the semi-finals of the Gold Cup and are nicely on course to attain best their 2nd World Cup finals – and a primary on account that Mexico 1986 – as they sit pinnacle of the CONCACAF qualifying group with six games to move.
Their 1,462.32 points is 132.32 extra than final year, the biggest 12-month development of all FIFA countries.
Meanwhile, World Cup hosts Qatar head into their big year just within the pinnacle 50 at 48.
