Spain Return To FIFA Summit After World Cup Triumph As Mexico Re-enter Top 10

Newly crowned FIFA World Cup 2026 champions Spain have returned to the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking after defeating Argentina in the final to claim a second world title.

The latest rankings, released after the conclusion of the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, see La Roja replace Argentina at the summit after edging the South Americans 1-0 after extra time in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

Spain, who had previously occupied the number one position before slipping to second in April, now hold a comfortable lead at the top of the standings. Argentina, champions in 2022, dropped to second after surrendering both their World Cup crown and top ranking.

The rankings reflect the outcome of 105 international matches played during the latest ranking period, including 104 fixtures at the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup.

The top ten witnessed several significant changes following the tournament. Brazil climbed one place to fifth, while Morocco also moved up one spot to sixth after an impressive campaign. Portugal paid the price for their Round of 16 exit to eventual champions Spain, slipping two places to seventh.

Belgium rose to eighth after reaching the quarter-finals, overtaking neighbours the Netherlands, who dropped to ninth. Tournament co-hosts Mexico climbed four places to 10th, returning to the world’s top ten for the first time since March 2022, while Germany fell two places to 12th.

Quarter-finalists Norway emerged as the biggest movers in the latest rankings, soaring 12 places to 19th following their memorable run to the last eight. The Scandinavian nation also recorded their highest ranking since August 2011.

Switzerland also enjoyed a successful World Cup campaign, climbing five places to 15th after reaching the quarter-finals.

Among African nations, Egypt rose five places to 24th, DR Congo climbed to 41st, South Africa moved up six places to 54th, while Ghana gained eight positions to occupy 65th in the world.

Paraguay also made notable progress, climbing seven places to 34th.

The World Cup proved costly for several nations. Türkiye dropped five places to 27th, Korea Republic slipped seven spots to 32nd, Panama fell ten places to 44th, and Czechia dropped eight places to 48th, although all remain inside the world’s top 50.

Tunisia suffered one of the biggest declines, falling 12 places to 57th, while Uzbekistan dropped ten positions to 60th. Their exits from the top 50 allowed Chile and Peru to move into 49th and 50th respectively.

South America now has nine teams in the world’s top 50, while Europe remains the best-represented confederation with 25 teams. Africa has eight teams in the top 50, Asia four, Concacaf four, while Oceania remains without representation in the top 50.