Fans across the globe always keep an eye on where their national teams stand in the world of soccer, especially when updates to the FIFA World Ranking drop. For over a decade, Argentina and Portugal have been at the center of global attention—fueled in part by the never-ending debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Now, FIFA has released its latest rankings, and there are some key takeaways.
Argentina remain the gold standard. After winning the 2024 Copa América—adding a second continental title and a World Cup within four years—Argentina have cemented themselves as the team to beat. Their World Cup qualifying campaign has also been dominant, securing a top spot early and collecting five wins in their last 10 matches.
Portugal, meanwhile, made headlines by lifting the Nations League trophy by the hand of Cristiano in historic fashion. With one of the most talented generations in their history, they defeated Spain in the final—a team many considered the best in the world. The win gives Portugal serious momentum as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Where do Portugal rank now?
Argentina sit atop the latest rankings, as expected, following years of consistent excellence. But with Portugal recently crowned Nations League champions, should they be right behind? Or has another powerhouse edged them out?
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal lifts the UEFA Nations League trophy after his team’s victory in the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany.
Here’s the latest FIFA top 10:
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- Argentina – 1885.36
- Spain – 1867.09
- France – 1862.03
- England – 1813.32
- Brazil – 1777.69
- Portugal – 1770.53
- Netherlands – 1758.18
- Belgium – 1736.38
- Germany – 1716.98
- Croatia – 1707.51
Portugal’s Nations League success helped them jump one spot, overtaking the Netherlands to claim No. 6 in the world. The Dutch dropped to seventh following the update. These small but significant shifts highlight how even a single tournament can reshape the international landscape and influence future seedings.
Surprise entries and omissions?
One of the biggest surprises is Italy’s absence from the top 10. Once a global powerhouse, they’ve struggled with consistency, and it shows in the rankings. Just behind the top group is Morocco, holding firm at No. 12 with 1698.72 points—still riding the wave of their 2022 World Cup success.
Mexico, fresh off another Concacaf Gold Cup title, have jumped from 17th to 13th in the updated standings. It’s a promising sign as they continue building toward the 2026 World Cup. While there are few shockers overall, the latest rankings reflect which teams are trending up—and which are falling behind—as the road to 2026 heats up.
