Best football teams in the world 2026

We all like to think our football team is the best in the world, but that's only true for one set of fans.

It's a tough task to reach the top of modern footie - and it's even harder to stay there. Football clubs have become such behemoths in recent years that all departments involved in operational matters need to be singing from the same hymn sheet in order to taste success on a long-term basis.

The beautiful game's constantly evolving so clubs cannot take success for granted. While the likes of Manchester United and Juventus have slipped off their perch in recent years, some of the best teams in the world were hardly near the summit a couple of decades ago.

So who are the current cream of the crop? We have based our rankings on a host of aspects, including short-term form and medium-term success. Trophies and honours do count towards a club's standing, but context is crucial. Continental performance is often a strong barometer of success when comparing the titans in each nation.

Infrastructure, current squad, manager and overall trajectory have also been considered as we ponder the greatest teams in world football right now.

RadioTimes.com brings you the top 10 best football teams in the world in 2026.

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10. Napoli

Napoli's return to the summit of Italian football has been wonderful to see. They have won two Serie A titles in the last four years and the celebrations in Naples have been predictably wild.

It's hard to look past their midfield. Scott McTominay has been reborn since swapping Old Trafford for the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, André-Frank Anguissa has taken his game to new levels at the club and Kevin De Bruyne's enjoying the twilight years of his career.

The next step for Napoli is to make their mark in European football, having failed to work through the League Phase of the Champions League under former boss Antonio Conte last term. Replacement Massimiliano Allegri is under pressure from some of the continent's most passionate fans to deliver the goods.

9. Chelsea

Chelsea can technically lay claim to the title of 'world's best team' after winning the expanded Club World Cup in 2025.

The reality is a little different, however, as they haven't won a major title since the Champions League in 2021. We're not counting the Club World Cup or UEFA Conference League, folks!

The West Londoners' bullish transfer strategy has shown flashes of working, though the managerial merry-go-round has hardly helped. Xabi Alonso is the incumbent boss and his squad is packed full of exciting talent. Cole Palmer is the jewel in their crown, although Moises Caicedo also ticks the world class box.

8. Liverpool

Liverpool have spent big in the post-Jurgen Klopp era in a bid to maintain their place at the top table. The Reds parted company with Arne Slot after a challenging campaign and Andoni Iraola has been recruited to spearhead their new era.

It's taking time for some of the new arrivals since the summer of 2025 to bed in, but class is permanent and it would be no surprise to see the Reds back to their brilliant best sooner rather than later.

Though the Anfield outfit have plenty of quality in their ranks, it is their attacking firepower that really sets them apart and when they're on song, you'd back them to blow away any opposition.

7. Inter Milan

Inter Milan may lack the riches of some of their Premier League or La Liga counterparts, but the Serie A giants continue to mix it with the best in Europe.

I Nerazzurri have reached two Champions League finals in the last four seasons and enjoyed plenty of domestic success as well in that period – winning two league titles and two Coppa Italias.

Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco are among the most underrated defenders in world football, while the likes of Nicolò Barella, Hakan Çalhanoglu, and Lautaro Martínez continue to impress.

6. Real Madrid

Real Madrid are in a state of transition. Given the quality in their squad, they should be top of this list, but it just hasn't worked for them in the last couple of seasons.

Kylian Mbappe has long been considered one of the world's best, Jude Bellingham's star continues to rise, Vinicius Jr. is a nightmare for opposition defences, and the likes of Fede Valverde, Antonio Rudiger, Thibaut Courtois, and Eder Militao are players that any manager would love to have. And yet, they haven't won La Liga, the Copa del Rey or Champions League in that time.

Los Blancos remain one of the toughest draws in European football, having won the Champions League trophy an extraordinary six times since 2014. For context, only six teams have won four or more trophies since the European Cup's inception in 1956.

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5. Barcelona

Hansi Flick has brought the good times back at Barcelona. The German coach led the Catalan outfit to a domestic treble in 2024/25 before retaining the La Liga and Supercopa de Espana titles in the following season.

Not only that, Barca re-established their place among the European heavyweights with blistering Champions League runs to the semi-finals and quarter-finals in the last two years.

The club has returned to their tried and tested formula – weaving stars like Raphinha, Frenkie De Jong and Jules Kounde into a team packed with La Masia products. The jewel in the crown is, of course, Lamine Yamal, who many consider the best winger in the world at the age of just 19.

4. Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich have re-established their domestic dominance in Germany. Vincent Kompany's side won their 13th Bundesliga title in the last 14 years in 2025/26 as they rattled off a record 122 goals in their 34 games.

Many could argue that the relative weakness of the league should count against them, but that's where Champions League performance has to play a factor in determining their true strength. They are a regular presence in the latter stages of Europe's premier club competition and got their hands on the trophy in 2019/20.

Harry Kane's goal tally continues to skyrocket while around him the likes of Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, and Luis Díaz sparkle. The only thing that keeps them off top spot here is the quality of their domestic division. Or lack of.

3. Man City

Manchester City face an uncertain future following the Premier League's guilty verdict over 115 charges, but the club remains one of the best on the block for the time being.

In Erling Haaland, they have, arguably, the world's best striker and their squad is stacked with talent from back to front. Enzo Maresca faces the unenviable task of filling the void left by Pep Guardiola, although the early signs are promising.

While it's two seasons and counting since City lifted the Premier League title, they have continued to add silverware to their trophy cabinet and compete in the latter stages of the Champions League.

2. Arsenal

After falling short to Man City and then Liverpool, Arsenal finally got their hands on the Premier League title in 2025/26.

Trusting the process has allowed Mikel Arteta to build a squad packed with quality, with, arguably, the best defence in world football and a seemingly unstoppable set-piece threat, while the likes of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are truly world class players.

Where previously they've stuttered, Arsenal now look like a confident and composed side that know how to get the job done. Champions League final heartbreak will surely only spur them on.

1. PSG

It should be no surprise to see the European champions at the top of our list. PSG joined the elite by retaining the Champions League trophy last season and few would debate that they were not deserving of their triumphs.

Luis Enrique deserves a huge amount of credit for his team-building in the French capital. It used to be all about star power at the Parc des Princes but, though there is no denying the talent in their ranks, their recent success has come as a result of their performances as a unit.

There are standout players, of course. Achraf Hakimi is the best full-back in the world, the midfield trio of Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fabian Ruiz is outstanding, and ahead of them, 2025 Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele leads a frightening forward line.

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