Spain return to No. 1 in FIFA rankings after World Cup win
Spain moved above Argentina after winning the World Cup, while Morocco reached a national best of sixth in the FIFA men’s rankings.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Spain have returned to the top of the FIFA men’s rankings after winning the World Cup, Reuters reported. The change puts the new champions ahead of Argentina, the team they beat in the final.
FIFA’s latest list has Spain at No. 1 for the first time since January, according to Reuters. Luis de la Fuente’s side defeated 2022 champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time on Sunday, sending Argentina down to second.
France stayed third and England remained fourth, Reuters reported, even after England beat France in the bronze medal match. Thomas Tuchel’s England side finished third at the World Cup, but the result did not change the order of those two teams in the rankings.
Morocco hit a new high
Brazil moved up to fifth in FIFA’s list, while Morocco rose to sixth, Reuters reported. That position is Morocco’s highest ranking on record.
Portugal dropped two places to seventh after going out in the World Cup round of 16, according to Reuters. Belgium rose to eighth and traded places with the Netherlands, who fell to ninth.
Mexico moved up four spots and entered the top 10, Reuters reported. The rise followed Mexico’s World Cup run, which ended in a last-16 defeat to England.
Norway posted the largest rise in the latest rankings, jumping 12 places to 19th, according to Reuters. Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals before its tournament ended.
Germany and Italy slide
Germany fell out of the top 10 and dropped to 12th, Reuters reported. Croatia sits one place above Germany in 11th.
Italy, which did not qualify for the World Cup, slipped to 15th in FIFA’s rankings, according to Reuters. The drop keeps Italy outside a top group now led by Spain, Argentina, France and England.
Tunisia had the steepest decline in the latest update, falling 12 spots to 57th, Reuters reported. Egypt moved in the other direction, rising five places to 24th.
Paraguay rose seven places to 34th after reaching the World Cup last 16, according to Reuters. Cabo Verde, who reached the round of 32, climbed three spots to 64th.
Ghana also moved up, gaining eight places, Reuters reported. FIFA placed Ghana one spot behind Cabo Verde in the updated men’s rankings.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.