In a major shift at the top of men’s international football, Spain has seized the number one spot in the FIFA world rankings, displacing Argentina after the reigning world champions’ two-year reign. This marks the first time “La Roja” has held the top position since 2014.
Spain’s ascent is a result of their impressive recent form, particularly their perfect start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Dominant victories over Bulgaria (3-0) and Türkiye (6-0) have propelled them to the summit with 1875.37 points. This run of form, coupled with their recent UEFA Euro 2024 triumph, demonstrates the strength of their squad and the success of their current tactical approach under coach Luis de la Fuente.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s time at the top came to an end after a costly 1-0 defeat to Ecuador in their final World Cup qualifier. Despite having already secured their place in the tournament, the loss was a significant blow to their ranking points, causing them to drop to third place.
The new rankings also saw France move up to second, capitalizing on Argentina’s slip with their own back-to-back victories. Other notable changes in the top ten include Portugal rising to fifth, while Brazil dropped to sixth. Italy also re-entered the top ten, with Germany falling to 12th place after a surprising defeat.
