Ranking the Top 12 Leagues in World Football: A Comprehensive Evaluation

The Opta Power Rankings serve as a comprehensive global team ranking system that evaluates almost 13,500 football teams worldwide. This system assesses teams from 183 countries and 413 domestic leagues, assigning them a rating on a scale of zero to 100. A score of zero represents the lowest-ranked team globally, while a score of 100 signifies the highest-ranked team in the world. Here are the top-ranked soccer leagues globally, according to the Opta Power Rankings:

12. Turkish Super Lig - Turkey

• Founded: 21 February 1959
• Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
• Domestic cup (s): Turkish Cup; Turkish Super Cup
• International cup (s): UEFA Champions League; UEFA Europa League; UEFA Europa Conference League
• Current championship: Galatasaray (2022–23; 23rd title)
• Most championship: Galatasaray (23 titles)

The Turkish Super Lig, also known as the Süper Lig, is recognized as one of the premier football leagues worldwide. Officially referred to as the Trendyol Süper Lig due to sponsorship reasons, it is governed by the Turkish Football Federation. Until 2020, the league consisted of 18 clubs, but starting from 2020, it expanded to include 20 clubs.

The Süper Lig season typically spans from August to May, encompassing a total of 38 games for each club. Using a double round-robin format, every team competes against each other twice during the season. This involves playing once at their home stadium and once at the opponent's home ground.

Over the course of its history, the Süper Lig has seen the participation of 75 different clubs. However, only six of them have managed to clinch the league title. Galatasaray leads the way with 23 championships, followed by Fenerbahçe with 19, Beşiktaş with 16, Trabzonspor with 7, İstanbul Başakşehir with 1, and Bursaspor with 1.

In the current 2023-24 season, the Süper Lig features a total of twenty clubs competing for the title. At the end of the season, a champion will be crowned, and three clubs will be promoted from the 1. Lig while three others will face relegation from the Süper Lig.

11. Swiss Super League - Switzerland

• Founded: 1898
• Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland
• Domestic cup (s): Swiss Cup
• International cup (s): UEFA Champions League; UEFA Europa League; UEFA Europa Conference League
• Current champions: Young Boys (2022–23; 16th title)
• Most championships: Grasshopper (27 titles)

The Swiss Super League consists of 19 teams and is contested over 36 rounds, typically taking place from late July to May. The league season includes a winter break, which spans from mid-December to the first week of February. In a round-robin format, each team competes against every other team four times, twice at home and twice away.

When it comes to the most Swiss Super League championships, Grasshopper holds the record with 27 titles to their name. They have been the most successful club in the history of the league.

10. Brazilian Serie A - Brazil

• Founded: 23 August 1959
• Headquarters: São Paulo, Brazil
• Domestic cup (s): Copa do Brasil; Supercopa do Brasil
• International cup (s): Copa Libertadores; Copa Sudamericana
• Current championship: Palmeiras (2022–23; 11th title)
• Most championships: Palmeiras (11 titles)

The top division of Brazilian football, known as the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão, is a highly regarded competition. It is often referred to as the Brasileirão or Brasileirão Assaí due to its sponsorship with Assaí Atacadista. The league consists of 20 clubs, and the season typically runs from May to December.

In the Brasileirão, each club engages in a double round-robin format, playing against all other teams twice throughout the season. This entails facing opponents once at their own home stadium and once at the opponents' home ground, totaling 38 games per club.

The Brasileirão is renowned for its vibrant and samba-infused style of play, reflecting the essence of Brazilian football. Efforts are being made to secure international TV rights and sponsorship deals to generate additional revenue for the participating clubs.

9. Belgian Pro League - Belgium

• Founded: 1895
• Headquarters: Wervik, Flemish Region, Belgium
• Domestic cup (s): Belgian Cup; Belgian Super Cup
• International cup (s): UEFA Champions League; UEFA Europa League; UEFA Europa Conference League
• Current championship: Antwerp (2022–23; 5th title)
• Most championships: Anderlecht (34 titles)

The Belgian Pro League stands as the premier league for association football clubs in Belgium. It employs a promotion and relegation system in conjunction with the Challenger Pro League. The competition is officially known as the Jupiler Pro League, owing to its sponsorship agreement with Jupiler. Since the 2023-24 season, the league has featured 16 clubs.

In the 2022-23 season, Antwerp emerged as the victors, claiming the championship title.

8. Portuguese Primeira Liga - Portugal

• Founded: 1934
• Headquarters: Porto, Portugal
• Domestic cup (s): Taça de Portugal; Supertaça
• League cup(s): Taça da Liga
• International cup (s): UEFA Champions League; UEFA Europa League; UEFA Europa Conference League
• Current champion: SL Benfica (2022–23; 38th title)
• Most championships: Benfica (38 titles)

The Primeira Liga, or Liga Portugal, serves as the highest tier of the Portuguese football league system. Its origins trace back to 1934 when it was initially known as "Campeonato da Liga da Primeira Divisão". Currently, the league is officially referred to as Liga Portugal Betclic due to sponsorship arrangements.

Throughout its history, over 70 teams have taken part in the Primeira Liga championship. However, only five clubs have managed to secure the title. The three most successful clubs in terms of championship victories are Benfica with 38 wins, Porto with 30 wins, and Sporting CP with 19 wins. These clubs have established themselves as the powerhouses of Portuguese football, consistently contending for top honors in the league.

7. Dutch Eredivisie - Netherlands

• Founded: 1956
• Headquarters: Zeist, Netherlands
• Domestic cup (s): KNVB Cup; Johan Cruyff Shield
• International cup (s): UEFA Champions League; UEFA Europa League; UEFA Europa Conference League
• Current championship: Feyenoord (2022–23; 16th title)
• Most championships: Ajax (36 titles)

In the Netherlands, the Eredivisie League holds the distinction of being the premier division for professional football. Established in 1956, just two years following the commencement of professional football in the country, the Eredivisie has emerged as one of the most prominent leagues in Europe.

The league consists of 18 clubs and is regarded as one of the top leagues on the continent. As of the 2022-23 season, UEFA ranks the Eredivisie as the fifth-best league in Europe, highlighting its competitive nature and quality of play.

In terms of success in the Eredivisie, three clubs have stood out. Ajax leads the way with 35 titles, followed by Eindhoven PSV with 24 titles, and Feyenoord with 15 titles. These teams have enjoyed sustained success and have been dominant forces in Dutch football, earning a place among the league's most successful clubs.

6. English Championship - England

• Founded: 2004
• Headquarters: London, UK
• Domestic cup (s): FA Cup
• League cup(s): EFL Cup
• International cup (s): UEFA Europa League (via FA Cup); UEFA Europa Conference League (via EFL Cup)
• Current championship: Burnley (2022–23; 2nd title)
• Most championships: Burnley; Newcastle United; Norwich City; Reading; Sunderland; Wolverhampton Wanderers (2 titles each)

The English Football League Championship, commonly referred to as the EFL Championship, stands as the top division of the English Football League (EFL) and the second-highest tier in the overall English football league system, following the Premier League. In England, the league is also known simply as the Championship or the Sky Bet Championship due to sponsorship arrangements.

The EFL Championship consists of 24 clubs competing for promotion to the Premier League. Each season, these clubs battle it out to secure the championship title and secure a place in the top-flight division. In the 2022-23 edition, Burnley emerged victorious, clinching the championship.

5. French Ligue 1 - France

• Founded: 1932
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Domestic cup (s): Coupe de France; Trophée des Champions
• International cup (s): UEFA Champions League; UEFA Europa League; UEFA Europa Conference League
• Current championship: Paris Saint-Germain (2022–23; 10th title)
• Most championships: Paris Saint-Germain (10 titles)

The French Ligue 1 holds its position among the top five premier soccer leagues globally. Officially known as Ligue 1 Uber Eats due to sponsorship arrangements, the league operates under the oversight of the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the governing body responsible for France's major professional football leagues.

Ligue 1 comprises twenty clubs that compete for the championship title, with a promotion and relegation system in place to facilitate movement between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. The league season typically runs from August to May, spanning a total of 34 matches for each club. Each team faces the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at the opponent's ground.

4. Spanish La Liga - Spain

• Founded: 1929
• Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
• Domestic cup (s): Copa del Rey; Supercopa de España
• International cup (s): UEFA Champions League; UEFA Europa League; UEFA Europa Conference League
• Current championship: FC Barcelona (2022–23; 27th title)
• Most championships: Real Madrid (35 titles)

The Spanish La Liga is indeed recognized as one of the top three best soccer leagues globally. It features intense competition and showcases some of the world's most talented players and prestigious clubs.

The league, officially known as LaLiga Santander due to sponsorship reasons, consists of 20 teams that compete for the championship title. Over the years, a total of 62 teams have participated in the league, highlighting its long history and widespread popularity.

Real Madrid and Barcelona, two of the most successful clubs in football history, have been dominant forces in La Liga. Real Madrid holds the record for the most La Liga championships, with 35 titles to their name. Barcelona is not far behind, having won the title 27 times. These two clubs have produced legendary players and fierce rivalries that have significantly contributed to the league's global appeal.

While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have had a significant impact on La Liga during their respective stints at Barcelona and Real Madrid, the league continues to thrive and improve even without their presence. La Liga consistently attracts top talent from around the world and showcases exciting football week in and week out.

3. Italian Serie A - Italy

• Founded: 1898
• Headquarters: Milan, Italy
• Domestic cup (s): Coppa Italia; Supercoppa Italiana
• International cup (s): UEFA Champions League; UEFA Europa League; UEFA Europa Conference League
• Current championship: Napoli (2022–23; 3rd title)
• Most championships: Juventus (36 titles)

The Italian Serie A, known as Serie A TIM for sponsorship purposes, is the top professional football league in Italy. It is renowned for its rich history and competitive nature. The winners of Serie A are awarded the Scudetto, which represents the title of Italian champions, as well as the Coppa Campioni d'Italia.

Since the 1929/30 season, Serie A has been organized in a round-robin format, where each team plays against every other team twice, once at home and once away. This format allows for a fair and comprehensive competition throughout the season.

In 2020, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) ranked Serie A as the strongest national league in the world based on their annual report. This recognition reflects the high level of competition and quality of football showcased in Serie A.

Serie A is home to several renowned clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan. These clubs have a rich history and a strong fan base both domestically and internationally. They have achieved great success in Italian football and have also made their mark in European competitions.

2. German Bundesliga - Germany

• Founded: 24 August 1963
• Headquarters: Frankfurt, Germany
• Domestic cup (s): DFB-Pokal; DFL-Supercup
• International cup (s): UEFA Champions League; UEFA Europa League; UEFA Europa Conference League
• Current champion: Bayern Munich (2022–23; 32nd title)
• Most championships: Bayern Munich (32 titles)

The Bundesliga is indeed the most-watched league in Germany and is renowned for its passionate fan base and competitive football. The league's seasons typically run from August to May, with matches taking place on weekends, including Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Bundesliga matches draw an average attendance of over 45,000 spectators in stadiums, showcasing the strong support and enthusiasm of German football fans.

Since its establishment, a total of 56 clubs have competed in the Bundesliga, demonstrating the diverse participation and history of the league. However, Bayern Munich has been the most dominant team in recent years, winning an impressive 32 Bundesliga titles. They have also achieved a remarkable feat by securing 11 consecutive titles, setting a record in European football.

Other notable clubs that have clinched the Bundesliga title include Borussia Dortmund, Hamburger SV, and Werder Bremen. These clubs have all had moments of success and have contributed to the league's competitiveness and excitement.

1. English Premier League - England

• Founded: 27 May 1992
• Headquarters: London, UK
• Domestic cup (s): FA Cup; FA Community Shield
• International cup (s): UEFA Champions League; UEFA Europa League; UEFA Europa Conference League
• Current champion: Manchester City (2022–23; 7th title)
• Most championships: Manchester United (13 titles)

The English Premier League is undoubtedly one of the top-tier football leagues in the world, known for its competitiveness, global appeal, and high-quality football. The league was established in 1992, succeeding the old First Division.

Since its inception, a total of 50 different clubs have participated in the Premier League, with 48 of them from England and 2 from Wales. However, the league currently consists of 20 clubs that compete against each other. Each team plays 38 matches in a season, facing every other team twice, once at home and once away.

The Premier League season typically begins in August and concludes in May, providing fans with several months of thrilling football action.

Seven teams have won the Premier League trophy since its inception. Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United have all claimed the prestigious title. Manchester United is the most successful club in the league's history, having won the Premier League trophy on 13 occasions.

The Premier League showcases some of the best football talent in the world and attracts top players from across the globe. It is renowned for its fast-paced, competitive matches and has a devoted fan base worldwide.