In a significant shake-up of the FIFA men’s world rankings, Spain has officially reclaimed the top spot, ending Argentina’s impressive run at number one. The change, which marks Spain’s first time at the summit since 2014, is a direct result of recent international matches.
How Spain Clinched the Top Spot
Spain’s ascent to the No. 1 position was fueled by their flawless performance in the latest round of World Cup 2026 qualifiers. “La Roja” secured dominant victories, including a 3-0 win against Bulgaria and a 6-0 thrashing of Türkiye, showcasing their offensive prowess and solidifying their position as a dominant force in international football. This recent success follows their UEFA Euro 2024 triumph, where they also went undefeated, further boosting their ranking points.
Argentina’s Fall from Grace
Meanwhile, Argentina’s two-year reign at the top came to an end after a crucial defeat in their own World Cup qualifying campaign. A 1-0 loss to Ecuador saw the reigning world champions drop to third place, allowing both Spain and France to leapfrog them. While Argentina had already secured their spot in the next World Cup, this defeat proved costly in the points-based FIFA ranking system.
Other Notable Movements
The updated rankings also saw other significant shifts within the top ten:
- France moved up one spot to claim the second position, capitalizing on Argentina’s loss with their own back-to-back wins.
- Portugal climbed to fifth place, swapping positions with a slipping Brazil, who now sit at sixth.
- Italy re-entered the top ten after a strong performance in their recent qualifiers, while Germany fell out of the top ten, dropping to 12th after a surprising defeat to Slovakia.
