The 2002 World Cup is a year away. Here’s an early line on the teams in the best position to reach the finals and how they rank.
Ranking the Field
1. France
2. Argentina
3. Italy
4. Brazil
5. Portugal
6. Spain
7. Japan
8. Germany
9. Cameroon
10. Paraguay
11. England
12. Czech Rep.
13. Australia
14. Poland
15. USA
16. Morocco
17. Ireland
18. Yugoslavia
19. Russia
20. Romania
21. Sweden
22. Belgium
23. Denmark
24. Ecuador
25. Mexico
26. South Korea
27. Tunisia
28. South Africa
29. Liberia
30. Costa Rica
31. Saudi Arabia
32. China
The countdown has begun to the 2002 World Cup.
The 32-team field is slowly taking shape. A few surprises have emerged – Poland in Europe, Ecuador in South America and Liberia in Africa – but most of the field is dominated by World Cup regulars.
Here’s a look at the projected field in order:
1. France. The Bleus, reigning World Cup and European champions, remain the best in the world, having put together a series of empathic wins this season: Turkey (4-0), Japan (5-0) and Portugal (4-0) in friendlies; South Korea (5-0) and Mexico (4-0) with what was essentially a “B” team at the Confederations Cup. Defenders Mikael Silvestre and Willy Sagnol and midfielder Eric Carriere made cases for jobs in 2002.
2. Argentina. The Argentines have only one loss in 13 South American qualifiers – quite an accomplishment considering the rigors of travel for the largely European-based team. Coach Marcelo Bielsa’s biggest problem may be the overabundance of talent he has up front and in midfield – a quandary other coaches would love to have.
3. Italy. The Azzurri have quickly recovered from the heartbreaking loss to France in the Euro 2000 final. New coach Giovanni Trapattoni has arguably the best backline in the world with Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini and Fabio Cannavaro. Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Del Piero have combined for 11 goals in six qualifiers.
4. Brazil. Is Brazil really so bad that it could end its streak of having participating in every World Cup, as many of its followers believe? No way. The real Brazil, a no-show in qualifying, will be ready to play in 2002.
5. Portugal. The Torcida Verde should win Europe’s group 2, having taken six points (one win and three ties) against Ireland and the Netherlands. Luis Figo and Jorge Costa give Portugal perhaps the top 1-2 midfield combination in Europe. Pedro Pauleta, hero of the key win over the Dutch in Rotterdam, has emerged as another attacking option.
6. Spain. The Spaniards’ 2-1 win over France in March is the only loss the French have suffered with their “A” team in more than two years. Probably the biggest criticism of Spain is that it lacks a dominating player.
7. Japan. Probably the best thing that could have happened to the Japanese was getting embarrassed by France in March. They will be tough to beat at home, as they demonstrated at the Confederations Cup. The best news to come out of the mini-World Cup was the return of young Shinji Ono.
8. Germany. Which German team will show up next year? The team that finished last in its group at Euro 2000 under Erich Ribbeck or the team that’s cruising through World Cup qualifying under Rudi Voeller? Keep in mind that the mannschaft has reached the final eight in each of the last 12 World Cups.
9. Cameroon. The Lions, African and Olympic champions in 2000, had a poor Confederations Cup after Frenchman Pierre Lechantre was brought back as head coach, replacing Jean-Paul Akono. “We’re not sure who’s taking charge for the World Cup,” admits star Patrick Mboma.
10. Paraguay. Goalie Jose Luis Chilavert, who has two goals (one on a penalty, the other on a free kick) gets all the publicity, but Paraguay is a very solid team. At the ’98 World Cup, it took host France to overtime.
11. England. The English are 5-0 under Sven Goran Eriksson – the best start ever by an England coach. Except for the Arsenal pair, David Seaman and Martin Keown, none of the players Eriksson started in the 2-0 win over Greece is older than 26.
12. Czech Republic. It was the Czechs’ bad luck to fall in the same group with France and the Netherlands at Euro 2000. Now, they’re in a dogfight in group 3, the most balanced of Europe’s nine groups. they have the depth to go far in the World Cup.
13. Australia. Consider this: The Socceroos, who haven’t qualified for the World Cup finals since 1974, beat France at the Confederations Cup without Leeds United stars Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell.
14. Poland. The Poles, absent from the world stage since 1986, have dominated Europe’s group 5 since opening with a 3-1 win over Ukraine in Kiev. The key player is Nigerian-born Emmanuel Olisadebe (seven goals in eight international matches).
15. USA. Bruce Arena and his players won’t be happy simply qualifying for 2002. Their goal will be to become the first American team to finish first or second in a four-team group at the World Cup.
16. Morocco. The Lions of Atlas, who have the edge on Egypt and Senegal in Africa’s group C, have two big-game players in sweeper Noureddine Naybet and striker Moustafa Hadji.
17. Ireland. The Irish will take second place in Europe’s group 2 unless the Dutch win in Dublin Sept. 1.
18 Yugoslavia. New coach Dejan Savicevic should lead Yugoslavia into playoffs.
19. Russia. Oleg Romantsev’s team can clinch Europe’s group 1 as early as Sept. 1.
20. Romania. Coach Ladislau Boloni starts four 20-year-olds: Cristian Chivu, Mirel Radoi, Paul Codrea and Marius Niculae.
21. Sweden. Henrik Larsson and Marcus Allback have combined for eight goals in the last three qualifiers.
22. Belgium. The Red Devils may edge Scotland and Croatia on goal difference thanks to 10-1 win over San Marino.
23 Denmark. Ebbe Sand (seven goals in seven games) has single-handedly kept the Danes in contention.
24. Ecuador. A 2-1 win over Peru in Lima extended its lead over fifth-place Colombia to six points.
25. Mexico. Just two years ago, the Tri would have ranked among the top four teams in the world.
26. South Korea. Wins over Mexico and Australia at the Confederations Cup will boost confidence.
27. Tunisia. A 1-1 tie with Ivory Coast in Tunis has slowed its campaign.
28. South Africa. Former MLS star Shaun Bartlett has two gamewinners for the Bafana Bafana.
29. Liberia. The Lone Star finishes with ultimate “high-risk” match at Sierra Leone, where Liberia is backing rebels.
30. Costa Rica. The point lost at home to Honduras may still come back to haunt the Ticos.
31. Saudi Arabia. Asia’s most consistent team: World Cup finalist in 1994 and ’98, Asian Cup champion in 1996 and runner-up in 2000.
32. China. Bora Milutinovic’s Chinese got a big break, avoiding Saudi Arabia and Iran in the Asian final-round draw.