‘World Cup-winning Argentina Led by Lionel Messi Tops FIFA Rankings; Five-time World Champion Brazil at Fifth Place’
FIFA has released its latest world rankings, where World Cup-winning Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, has retained its top position. Five-time World Cup winner Brazil stands at fifth place, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, fresh off their Nations League title, holds the sixth position.
For over a decade, the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has been the focal point of global football, and this new ranking has reignited discussions among football fans.
Argentina Retains Top Spot
Since winning the 2024 Copa América, Argentina has secured its second continental title in four years along with a World Cup victory. This remarkable performance has cemented their status as the best team in world football. Argentina continues to show excellent form in the World Cup qualifiers, winning 5 of their last 10 matches and securing the top spot early.
Portugal’s Nations League Victory and Ranking
Under Cristiano Ronaldo’s leadership, Portugal recently won the Nations League trophy, defeating Spain in the final—a team considered by many as one of the world’s best currently. This victory provides a significant boost to Portugal’s campaign for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. According to the new rankings, Portugal stands sixth with 1770.53 points.
Top Ten Teams According to FIFA’s Latest Rankings:
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Argentina – 1885.36 points
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Spain – 1867.09 points
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France – 1862.03 points
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England – 1813.32 points
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Brazil – 1777.69 points
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Portugal – 1770.53 points
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Netherlands – 1758.18 points
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Belgium – 1736.38 points
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Germany – 1716.98 points
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Croatia – 1707.51 points
Italy’s Decline and Other Teams’ Positions
Once a football powerhouse, Italy has surprisingly dropped out of the top ten, reflecting a noticeable lack of consistency in recent years.
Just outside the top ten, Morocco holds the 12th spot with 1768.72 points, maintaining the momentum from their historic run in the 2022 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Mexico, the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup winner, has climbed from 17th to 13th place, sending a positive signal as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
Overall, while this new ranking is expected, it clearly highlights which teams are progressing and which are falling behind—adding more excitement as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
