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Uruguay might be the most frustrating team in South America. 

After finishing third in the 2024 Copa America, La Celeste went on to win just one of seven games to close out the year. 

After a narrow loss to Argentina in March, they then drew 0-0 with Bolivia and followed that with a 2-0 loss to Paraguay in June.

Wins against Venezuela (2-0) and Peru (3-0) seemed to suggest things were back on track, but then they chalked up a lackluster 0-0 draw against 57th-ranked Chile.  

But after sealing qualification with that win over Peru, perhaps Uruguay took its foot off the gas a little.

It’s just difficult to get a read on this team. On paper, the squad is strong enough to cause problems for opponents, but it just can’t seem to muster any kind of consistency. 

FIFA ranking: 11
B/R March ranking: 9

Things aren’t disastrous for Italy, but it might be getting worried about World Cup qualification with Norway’s remarkable form.

As it stands, it looks like the Azzurri will have to go through the 16-team second-place playoff for qualification, with the Scandinavians setting a blistering pace through Group I.

Italy scored 10 in two World Cup qualifying games in September, but questions need to be asked after shipping four goals (including two own goals) against Israel.

Those defensive issues, and the uncertainty of making it to the finals, informs Italy’s fall in our rankings.

Belgium players found their scoring boots in September, even in the absence of Romelu Lukaku. 

The Red Devils smashed in six against Liechtenstein and did the same against Kazakhstan, keeping a clean sheet in both matches. 

Although they sit second in their qualifying group to North Macedonia, they have a game in hand over the Lynxes and should claim top spot when things get settled. 

After winning only four of 14 games in 2024, Belgium has already won four out of six in 2025. Rudi Garcia deserves a huge amount of credit for turning things around quickly after the disastrous reign of Domenico Tedesco.

Things were looking starting bleak for Croatia last year, but the team has come back to life in 2025.

After an unfortunate Nations League quarter-final exit to France following a penalty shootout, Croatia has won its last four games with a total score of 17-1. 

Granted, the Vatreni didn’t play a team ranked higher than 41st during that time, and they only squeaked past the 141st-ranked Faroe Islands 1-0, but that’s still a decent record.

The veterans are still turning up for Croatia. Key players such as Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric and Mateo Kovacic clock up an average age of 35, but they are proving essential.

At the top of World Cup qualification Group L with a game in hand, the Vatreni should be looking ahead to the tournament with increasing confidence. They might not grab a third-place finish like they did in 2022, but they will still be competitive.

Colombia takes a bit of a tumble in our rankings after a few disappointing results since March. 

Draws against Peru and a 10-man Argentina in July weren’t especially encouraging, and better form from other teams in the ranking hasn’t helped Los Cafeteros’ cause.

A further slide was saved after their positive September results, beating Bolivia 3-0 and Venezuela 6-3. But with those teams ranked 78th and 46th, respectively, comfortable victories should have been expected.

Most importantly, though, victory against Bolivia ensured their ticket for the 2026 World Cup. 

The unpredictable nature of this Colombia side will make the nation a feared proposition next year, and don’t rule out the South Americans making a run to the latter stages.