FIFA Rankings Update: Argentina Stays Strong, Brazil Slips

Argentina remains atop the FIFA World Rankings after securing victories in two recent World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

This win added 8.99 points to their already leading total of 1861.29. On the other hand, Brazil’s performance slipped.

They drew one match and lost another. This loss cost them 25.41 points.

Switching focus, England is catching up. They now occupy the fourth spot. Similarly, Belgium stays in fifth place.

However, Portugal is making strides. The team jumped two places and now ranks sixth. The Netherlands trails closely behind.

In another development, Spain climbed two spots to eighth place. Italy and Croatia complete the top ten list.

Croatia, however, faced a setback. They lost four places and 35.95 points, the most among the top teams.

On the rise is Venezuela, now ranked 49th and moving up four places. They have never reached a World Cup final but are improving.

Lithuania also stands out, gaining nine places and 26.27 points. In contrast, Finland has lost ground, dropping eight spots.

Lastly, FIFA notes that 165 international matches were played recently. These include qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The next update on rankings will come on November 30.

Background

In the world of soccer, FIFA rankings have a rich history. They were first introduced in 1993. Since then, they serve as a measure to compare national teams.

For Argentina, the top spot is not unfamiliar. The team has a glorious past, winning the World Cup twice. The first win came in 1978, followed by another in 1986.

Brazil, often a competitor, has won the trophy five times. Their last win was in 2002. These historical successes add an extra layer of excitement when rankings update.

Rankings can often change due to various competitions, making each update eagerly awaited by fans and analysts alike.