Spain has reclaimed the top position in the FIFA men’s rankings from Argentina, marking its first rise to the pinnacle since losing the title of world champion in June 2014. This change comes after Spain recorded two victories in their initial games of the 2026 World Cup qualification series against Turkey and Bulgaria.

Argentina, which held the previous top spot, has now slipped to third place after suffering a loss in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador. Meanwhile, France has moved up to second place. England remains stable at fourth, while Portugal has climbed to fifth, overtaking Brazil, who experienced a loss in its match against Bolivia.

Morocco stands at eleventh as the highest-ranked African team, and Japan leads Asia ranked nineteenth. Both nations have already secured their spots for the upcoming World Cup.

In the latest rankings, the USA and Mexico sit at fourteenth and sixteenth respectively, both dropping one position. Canada, which will co-host the next World Cup, has ascended by two ranks to twenty-sixth.

The rankings will be updated in the upcoming months of October and November, with the latter being crucial for determining seedings for the 48-team World Cup tournament draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington. This draw will include 42 confirmed entries and six placeholders for playoff winners, primarily derived from the lowest-ranked teams in seeding pot 4, potentially including Italy.