The Fifa World Ranking

Vicente del Bosque's side are European and now World champions and play a unique brand of soccer based on intricate midfield passing movements. A relatively lightweight midfield plays arguably the most attractive soccer in the world, with Barcelona midfielder Xavi dictating the tempo. Two trophies in two years has proved that brains can triumph over brawn.

Finalists at Euro 2008 and third place finishers at the 2010 World Cup, Germany have generally saved their best for major tournaments over the years. Joachim Low's side may lack major stars, but a strong team unity and a solid spine puts them among the favorites in any tournament. They played some of the most exciting soccer on show in South Africa.

Uruguay’s 2011 Copa America win shot them back up into the top 10. This is a glorious period for Uruguayan soccer, with the national team also having reached the 2010 World Cup semi-finals. Coach Oscar Tabarez says he is building for the future, but what he is currently delivering on the field has exceeded all expectations.

Bert van Marwijk's Netherlands reached the World Cup final where they were defeated by Spain. A quarter-final appearance at Euro 2008 and a 100% record in World Cup qualifying have contributed to their high ranking.

Carlos Queiroz was sacked by Portugal in September 2010 after a poor start to the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and amid allegations of misconduct. He took his country to the second round of the 2010 World Cup where they were beaten by Spain. His replacement is former Sporting Lisbon coach Paulo Bento. Portugal's pedigree in major tournaments over the last decade is good. They reached the semi-finals of Euro 2000 and made it to the final of the same tournament on home turf four years later. A fourth-place finish at the 2006 World Cup was also a significant achievement.

The Selecao reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup where they were beaten by the Netherlands. That exit cost coach Dunga his job, and while Brazil appear to be playing a more attractive brand of soccer under current incumbent Mano Menezes, they bowed out on penalties to Paraguay at the quarter final stage of the 2011 Copa America.

After failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, Croatia made sure of their place at Euro 2012 with a comfortable aggregate victory over Turkey in November’s play-offs. Slaven Bilic has been the coach since 2006 and has one of the world’s best midfielders, Luka Modric, at his disposal.

Argentina’s long wait for a major trophy continues after they were knocked out in the World Cup quarter-finals by Germany and flopped at the Copa America. Current coach Alejandro Sabella was installed as coach in August 2011 and promptly made Lionel Messi is captain.

Denmark have qualified automatically for the last two major tournaments under Morten Olsen. That he has been in charge since 2000 is another reminder that continuity is key to a successful national team. Denmark are unlikely to repeat their 1992 European Championship success in the near future but will reside in and around the top 10 as long as they continue qualifying for the major tournaments.