FIFA Rankings: Lionel Messi’s Argentina stay on top as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal drop

After securing their place in the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi‘s Argentina have extended their reign atop the FIFA Rankings, calculated after every international window. Meanwhile, there have been notable changes in the Top 10, with Spain climbing to second place and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal dropping a spot.

Argentina’s national team has now spent two full years at the top of the FIFA World Ranking, moving up to fifth on the all-time list for the longest reigns at No. 1. Their current streak began in April 2023.

Argentina stay at the top of the rankings after being, alongside England, the only national team to have won their two latest matches. Without Lionel Messi, who was recovering from a muscle injury, Lionel Scaloni’s men beat Uruguay (0-1) and Brazil (4-1).

Following the latest update in April, Argentina have accumulated a total of 1,498 days as the world’s No. 1 team across all their stints at the top. This includes runs from March 2007, October 2007 to June 2008, July to October 2015, and April 2016 to March 2017, in addition to the ongoing stretch that began in April 2023.

Julian Alvarez scored the first goal against Brazil (Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)

With this milestone, Argentina remain at the Top 3 in the all-time list. They surpassed Belgium, who held the top spot for 1,442 days. La Albiceleste now set their sights on Spain’s 1,959-day record. Meanwhile, Brazil hold the all-time mark of 5,070 days.

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Top 10 shake-up: Spain climb, Portugal drop

While Argentina remain No. 1 with 1,886.16 points, Spain have moved up to second with 1,854.64 points. France have dropped to third with 1,852.71. England (1,819.20) and Brazil (1,776.03) round out the top five.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Meanwhile, the Netherlands have climbed to sixth (1,752.44), while Portugal have slipped to seventh (1,750.00). Cristiano Ronaldo’s team suffered a 1-0 defeat to Denmark in their first-leg quarterfinal but responded with a 5-2 victory in the second-leg match. Ronaldo scored a goal at the 75th minute mark.

Belgium (1,735.75), Italy (1,718.31), and Germany (1,716.98) complete the Top 10. The next FIFA Ranking update is set for July 10, 2025, meaning Argentina will continue adding to their total days at No. 1.