RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian team will be the new leader of FIFA’s ranking when the entity releases the updated list on March 31. After exciting wins over Chile and Bolivia in the final rounds of South American Qualifying, Brazil overtakes Belgium -the national team’s opponent in the last World Cup– and takes the lead about nine months before the ball starts rolling in Qatar.
The exchange of positions between Belgium and Brazil at the FIFA table was only possible because Ireland defeated Belgium in a friendly match. The victory over Bolivia on March 29 confirmed the turnaround of Tite’s team in the FIFA ranking. The Brazilian team had not led the ranking since 2018.
The ranking update will leave Brazil behind only Qatar in the list of teams qualified for the World Cup.
In addition to Brazil, Argentina is the other South American team among the heads of the World Cup in Qatar. Vice-leader of the Qualifiers, Lionel Scaloni’s team remained in fourth place in FIFA’s ranking.
Another swapping of positions will be between Denmark and the Netherlands. The Oranje climbed to the new position, while the Danish team is now tenth.
FIFA ranking:
- Brazil
- Belgium
- France
- Argentina
- England
- Italy (not in the World Cup)
- Spain
- Portugal
- Holland
- Denmark