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The 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end with Spain (1st, +1) achieving its second star and gaining a large advantage over its pursuers. The team returns to the top of the FIFA Men’s World Classification, having lost that rank in April of this year. This was achieved after winning 1-0 in extra time against Argentina (2nd, -1).
The 105 matches played globally—104 of them during the recent World Cup—caused significant movement among the top 10 teams. Brazil (5th, +1) and Morocco (6th, +1) overtook Portugal (7th, -2), which Spain eliminated in the round of 16. Quarterfinalist Belgium (8th, +1) surpassed the Netherlands (9th, -1), while tournament co-host Mexico (10th, +4) climbed back into the top 10 for the first time since March 2022, displacing Germany (12th, -2).
Results from the 48 participating teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup drove this ranking update, with most shifts concentrated among the top 90 nations. Two of the tournament’s biggest surprise performers posted the largest climbs.
Switzerland (15th, +5) climbs five spots after reaching the quarterfinals, a round that also boosted Norway (19th, +12), which, in addition to making the biggest climb in this recent update, achieved its best place since August 2011, when it reached twelfth.
Other big winners for their gains are Egypt (24th, +5), Paraguay (34th, +7), the DR of Congo (41st, +5), South Africa (54th, +6), and Ghana (65th, +8).
Conversely, Turkey (27th, -5), DPR Korea (32nd, -7), Panama (44th, -10), and Czechia (48th, -8) dropped in position, though all four remained inside the top 50. Tunisia (57th, -12) and Uzbekistan (60th, -10) fell out of the top 50, allowing Chile (49th, +2) and Peru (50th, +2) to take their places.
With Chile and Peru entering the top 50, South America now features nine representatives in that elite group. Regional distribution among the top 50, compared to the pre-World Cup release, is as follows: UEFA: 25 (unchanged); CAF: 8 (-1); AFC: 4 (-1); CONCACAF: 4 (unchanged); OFC: 0 (unchanged).
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Classification will be published on Oct. 7, 2026.
The full classification can be found at this link: inside.fifa.com/en/fifa-world-ranking/men
Ranking highlights at a glance
- First place: Spain (+1)
- New top 10 entry: Mexico (10th, +4)
- Top 10 departure: Germany (12th, -2)
- Total matches played: 105
- Most matches played: Argentina, England, France, and Spain (eight matches each)
- Most points gained: Spain (121.17 points)
- Biggest rank jump: Norway (up 12 places)
- Most points lost: Panama (60.75 points)
- Biggest rank drop: Tunisia (down 12 places)
- New ranked teams: None
- Teams removed: None
- Inactive/Unranked teams: None
Translated and edited by Debra Fairbanks
