World Cup Specials: Top 5 smallest countries with the best national teams

Football is a funny sport. China and India with population of 1.3 billion and 1.2 billion respectively are considered minnows in the world football. India languishes at the 166th position in the FIFA world ranking while China are a little better at the 86th position. While these large countries struggle to assemble 11 world class players to play for their countries, there are countries which keep on producing world class talents even though they have minuscule population. Let us look at 5 small countries who have the best national teams and who will play in the 2014 World Cup.

1. Uruguay: Population 3.3 million FIFA Rank 6
If any country proves that quality outweighs quantity when it comes to footballing success, it’s the tiny South American nation of Uruguay. Winners of two World Cups in 1930 as well as in 1950, Uruguay’s success isn’t just limited to the past. Uruguay surprised many to finish 4th at the 2010 World Cup but proved that it was no fluke by winning the Copa America in 2011. It has produced legends like Ladislao Mazurkiewicz, Enzo Francescoli, and Alvaro Recoba to go along with current world class stars such as Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez, and Edinson Cavani. The country is expected to produce another impressive show in the 2014 World Cup since it would also have location advantage.

2. Croatia: Population 4.2 million FIFA Rank 16
Croatians made large part of the great Yugoslav teams of the yesteryears and following the country’s independence in 1991, this small Balkan nation has consistently produced top players. Croatia also done well in the World Cup and Euro Cup and had relative success in competitions, including a 3rd place finish in the 1998 World Cup, which was also their maiden World Cup and which saw star striker Davor Suker finish as the tournament’s top scorer. The current team features stars such as Luka Modric of Real Madrid and Mario Mandzukic of Bayern Munich and they are expected to do well in the world cup.

3. Portugal: Population 10 million FIFA Rank 5
The Iberian nation has produced some great players over the years, such as the late Eusebio, Luis Figo, Manuel Rui Costa, and current superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Although yet to win a major tournament and may not have participated in as many tournaments as the players would have deserved, Portugal are the perennial dark horse and a threat in any competition and on their day can beat any team in the world. But 2014 might finally be their year with their talismanic goal-machine and 2013 Ballon d’ Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo in irrepressible form and with all the desire to win a silverware at last with his country. 

4. Belgium: Population 11 million FIFA Rank 11
Historically overshadowed by their Dutch neighbours, Belgium have had their fair share of talented players over the years, with players such as Jean-Marie Pfaff and Michel Preud’homme. Their best ever finish at a World Cup was at the 1986 World Cup where they finished in the 4th place. However, it is their current crop of players comprising of Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and Vincent Kompany among others that has been dubbed a “Golden Generation” and looks set to establish Belgium as a major force in European and World football for the foreseeable future. They are the neutrals’ new favourite football team and not only the football fans but even the bookmakers have not been able to ignore the “Red Devils” and according to some of the major betting sites, Belgium are currently the fifth favourites to lift the World Cup next summer.

5. Netherlands: Population 16 million FIFA Rank 9
Three time World Cup finalists and the 1988 Euro cup winners - consistently ranked amongst the top when it comes to FIFA world rankings- Netherlands are considered the best team never to have won the world cup. The country is like a conveyor belt of producing talents and has generated some of the best players the game has ever seen - Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie among all others- all coming from a relatively small nation of just over 16 million. As they continue to churn out talented young players, the Dutch will continue to be as much of a force as ever.