The soccer world eagerly awaits December 5th to learn how the groups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be structured. Here is a breakdown of the possible rivals that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and Portugal could face in their group.



This edition of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a> will be historic, as it will feature 48 nations competing for the coveted trophy, up from the traditional 32. To form the groups, all qualified nations will be divided into four pots based on their FIFA World Ranking classification. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates are in Pot 1 and will be seeded in their group.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portugal">Portugal</a> will not be drawn against any other nation in Pot 1 (top seeds), which includes the three host nations—Mexico, United States, and Canada—and the other top-ranked teams like Spain, France, England, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and the Netherlands.



A key rule in the World Cup draw is that FIFA does not allow two nations from the same confederation to be placed in the same group. However, UEFA is the only exception: since there are 16 qualified European teams filling 12 groups, four groups will necessarily contain two European teams.



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">ESTAMOS NO MUNDIAL! VAMOS COM TUDO, PORTUGAL! 🇵🇹 <a href="https://t.co/3bfPqkrecH">pic.twitter.com/3bfPqkrecH</a>— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano/status/1990093371503747155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Potential group rivals for Portugal</h2>



The groups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be composed of one team from each pot, while adhering to the rules that prohibit nations from the same confederation from sharing a group, with the exception of UEFA.


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In this way, there is a possibility that Portugal will have one European team within their group. Cristiano Ronaldo and company could face any team from each pot, but if one UEFA nation is drawn, there cannot be another from the same confederation in their group.



These are all the nations that will participate in the World Cup, divided into their respective pots:



<h3>Pot 2</h3>



<ul><li>Croatia</li><li>Morocco</li><li>Colombia</li><li>Uruguay</li><li>Switzerland</li><li>Japan</li><li>Senegal</li><li>Iran</li><li>South Korea</li><li>Ecuador</li><li>Austria</li><li>Australia</li></ul>



<h3>Pot 3</h3>



<ul><li>Norway</li><li>Panama</li><li>Egypt</li><li>Algeria</li><li>Scotland</li><li>Paraguay</li><li>Tunisia</li><li>Ivory Coast</li><li>Uzbekistan</li><li>Qatar</li><li>Saudi Arabia</li><li>South Africa</li></ul>



<h3>Pot 4</h3>



<ul><li>Jordan</li><li>Cape Verde</li><li>Ghana</li><li>Curaçao</li><li>Haiti</li><li>New Zealand</li><li>European Playoff 1</li><li>European Playoff 2</li><li>European Playoff 3</li><li>European Playoff 4</li><li>Intercontinental Playoff 1</li><li>Intercontinental Playoff 2</li></ul>

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Which countries could Ronaldo, Portugal face at the 2026 World Cup?

miniaturas

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/palmeiras-vs-flamengo-live-2025-copa-libertadores-final">Flamengo defeated Palmeiras in the 2025 Copa Libertadores final</a> at the Estadio Monumental in Peru and secured a ticket to contest the Derby of the Americas against Cruz Azul, who were crowned champions of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps.



The Derby of the Americas between <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cruz-azul">Cruz Azul</a> and Flamengo will be played on December 10th at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha. The winner of this match will advance to the 2025 FIFA Challenger Cup on December 13th against Pyramids FC of Egypt.



The Egyptian team secured their place after defeating Auckland City 3-0 on September 14th in the Africa-Asia-Pacific Qualifiers, and then beat Al-Ahli 3-1 later that month, earning the Africa-Asia-Pacific Cup and the ticket to the 2025 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> Challenger Cup.



The winner of the 2025 FIFA Challenger Cup between Pyramids FC and Flamengo will secure the ticket to the highly anticipated 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final, where the Champions League winner, PSG, are patiently waiting for their opponent.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251129_BUS_535762_marqinhos-psg_013bafda.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-535766"></figure><figcaption>Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates with the UEFA Champions League trophy. (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>History of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup</h2>



Following the creation of the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, which adopted a format similar to the World Cup, the traditional FIFA Intercontinental Cup was initially retired to adapt to the new schedule.


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However, the confederations expressed to FIFA the ongoing need for the champions of their main club competitions to still face each other annually. Therefore, FIFA approved an annual club competition starting in 2024, which was subsequently named the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.



This will be the second edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, which will once again be staged in Qatar. In the previous edition, Real Madrid were crowned champions after defeating Pachuca of Mexico with a convincing 3-0 in the final, making them the current sole champion in the history of this reformed tournament.

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Cristiano Ronaldo was ejected during Portugal’s World Cup Qualifier match against Ireland. Following this, the Portuguese fan base eagerly awaited FIFA‘s decision on the number of matches <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/cristiano-ronaldos-suspension-revealed-will-cr7-be-eligible-for-portugals-2026-world-cup-debut" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ronaldo would be suspended for ahead of the 2026 World Cup</a>.



Along with this announcement, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIFA</a> issued a warning to Cristiano Ronaldo regarding future conduct. “If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately,” FIFA stated.



Through this statement, FIFA cautioned the Portuguese star about replicating the incident that occurred against Ireland. Moving forward, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ronaldo</a> must exhibit control in upcoming matches because Portugal will rely on him during the group stage of the next year’s World Cup.



Despite Ronaldo’s situation, Portugal remains confident in their roster’s depth as they prepare for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a> and the final FIFA-sanctioned matches before the group stage commences in North America.



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">full story and clip 👇 Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in Portugal’s 2–0 loss to Ireland after he elbowed Dara O’Shea in the 61st minute. The referee originally showed a yellow card, but VAR stepped in, reviewed the incident, and upgraded it to a straight red for violent conduct.… <a href="https://t.co/ywCYawoB5U">pic.twitter.com/ywCYawoB5U</a>— Dave (@Davely_X) <a href="https://twitter.com/Davely_X/status/1989320033424531473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2025</a></blockquote></div> 



<h2>Ronaldo’s first direct red card with Portugal</h2>



Throughout his illustrious career, the Portuguese icon has been sent off seven times for both accumulating two yellow cards and direct red card in various competitions. However, this was the first time he received a direct red card in an official match with the national team.


 


In total, Ronaldo has been cautioned with a yellow card 128 times across the five clubs he has represented. As he approaches what could be his final World Cup, Ronaldo has announced plans to retire from international play following the tournament in North America.



As Ronaldo nears the final fixtures of his international career, fans anticipate seeing him compete throughout the full group stage in the 2026 World Cup. There’s significant interest in when Ronaldo will make his decision to retire official.

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The 2026 World Cup now has 42 of the 48 teams confirmed for the competition, and although the final six qualifiers will not be decided until March, most major contenders have already secured their spots. The most enticing prospect for fans is the possibility of a showdown between <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>‘s Portugal and Lionel Messi’s Argentina, both of whom have tickets to the World Cup and await the draw to know their rivals.



Anticipating the historic event, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> uploaded a poster to their social media channels previewing the tournament. However, they made a blatant omission in the first official poster, and fans quickly seized upon the mistake.



FIFA shared an image featuring a representative from each of the national teams already qualified for the 2026 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a>. Shockingly, the Portuguese representative featured was Bruno Fernandes and not Cristiano Ronaldo—the all-time leading goalscorer in soccer history, who is set to play in his sixth World Cup, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-to-share-historic-record-as-portugal-joins-argentina-at-2026-world-cup">a record he will share with Messi</a>.



“How can Cristiano Ronaldo be missing? He is the biggest face in the sport, no debate,” commented one visibly angry fan on X. “It’s hard to understand FIFA leaving Cristiano Ronaldo out of the official World Cup poster. From a marketing standpoint, he’s the most influential athlete on the planet, the kind of face that sells a tournament,” another fan seconded.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251121_BUS_531378_world-cup-post-old_8592d3b8.webp&amp;width=640&amp;height=853" alt="" class="wp-image-531380" width="640" height="853"></figure><figcaption>The deleted post from FIFA. (@FIFAWorldCup)</figcaption></figure>



It did not take many more comments for FIFA to make the decisive move to delete the original poster. The post is no longer visible on any of their social media channels related to the tournament and the entity.



<h2>The new poster</h2>


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Logically, FIFA did not issue a statement on the matter, choosing neither to admit they removed the post due to the public comments nor to acknowledge the omission of Cristiano Ronaldo. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1500" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251121_BUS_531378_world-cup-post_31c5b165.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="" class="wp-image-531381"></figure><figcaption>The 2026 Wolrd Cup new post. (@FIFAWorldCup)</figcaption></figure>



The only certainty is that the original poster is gone and has been replaced by a new one, which now features the image of the Portuguese superstar—alongside Lionel Messi holding the World Cup.

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Following a dramatic last-minute qualification process, Suriname and Jamaica, representing Concacaf, alongside New Caledonia from the OFC, Bolivia from Conmebol, and RD Congo from Africa, are set to compete in the 2026 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a> playoffs.



As anticipation runs high among supporters of these nations ahead of the playoffs, fans will have to travel to Mexico to watch their teams compete in March. FIFA has designated this month for the decisive matchups that will determine who advances.



Among the competitors, only Bolivia and Jamaica have previously secured spots at the World Cup. Bolivia last qualified in 1994 when the United States played host to the tournament. Jamaica, meanwhile, achieved its lone World Cup qualification in 1998, marking a historic milestone for the nation as it made a memorable debut on soccer’s grandest stage.



<h2>What’s the bracket for the 2026 World Cup playoff?</h2>



According to the draw conducted by FIFA for the upcoming playoffs on Thursday morning, these are the matchups, with Jamaica and Suriname flying the flag for Concacaf:



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Your matchups for the FIFA World Cup 26 Play-Off Tournament! 🆚 Which two are headed to 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇲🇽? <a href="https://t.co/Ba9yBHN8B7">pic.twitter.com/Ba9yBHN8B7</a>— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1991483977509793911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<ul><li>Bracket 1: New Caledonia vs. Jamaica (March 26, 2026) – The winner of this match will face RD Congo (March 31, 2026).</li><li>Bracket 2: Bolivia vs. Suriname (March 26, 2026) – The winner here will go on to compete against Iraq (March 31, 2026).</li></ul>


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<h2>How many teams will qualify?</h2>



The winners from each bracket will secure a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup, hosted in North America. Anticipation runs high for these nations, some of which are vying for their first-ever appearance at the World Cup, while others aim to return to the global stage after a significant absence.



<h2>Where will these playoffs be played?</h2>



FIFA has confirmed that Mexico will host four upcoming matchups, with the cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey selected as the venues. These cities are also slated to host games during the 2026 World Cup, making these events a crucial test for their stadiums ahead of the prestigious tournament in June.

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2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs draw: What’s the bracket and how many teams will qualify? - Bolavip US

2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs draw: Bracket and teams

Following the conclusion of the final FIFA window of 2025, both <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a>‘s Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal have been confirmed as top seeds for their respective groups in the 2026 World Cup, thanks to the newly updated FIFA World Ranking.



Portugal could have secured their World Cup qualification during the October window, but a last-minute goal from Dominik Szoboszlai derailed their celebration, forcing <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and his teammates to pursue classification in the last two games of the UEFA Qualifiers.



When qualification seemed simple, Portugal surprisingly fell 2-0 to Ireland on the road—a match where <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/video-cristiano-ronaldo-sees-red-card-for-hitting-opponent-in-ireland-vs-portugal">Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off</a> for elbowing an opponent off the ball. However, they crushed Armenia 9-1 in the final matchday to definitively seal their qualification for the 2026 World Cup.



Despite achieving the objective of qualifying, the draw against Hungary and the surprise loss to Ireland caused <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portugal">Portugal</a> to fall to the No. 6 spot in the FIFA World Ranking with 1760.38 points, being marginally surpassed by Brazil (1760.46 points).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251119_BUS_530491_ronaldo-red-card_4d54fe65.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-527402"></figure><figcaption>Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after being shown a red card. (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



For <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/argentina">Argentina</a>, Messi and his teammates secured classification on March 25th and have since been contesting friendly matches during the recent FIFA dates. In their latest friendlies, they registered one defeat against Ecuador and three victories, allowing them to maintain their No. 2 position in the FIFA World Ranking with 1873.33 points, still trailing Spain, who lead the standings with 1877.18.



It is worth noting that during the March 2026 FIFA window, with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a> groups already confirmed, Argentina will have a chance to reclaim the No. 1 spot. To do so, they must win both of their matches and rely on other results. They could also face Spain in the Finalissima, a transcendental match for the ranking.


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<h2>How the 2026 World Cup pots were determined</h2>



Following the update to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> World Ranking, the pots for the 2026 World Cup draw have been finalized. Crucially, Argentina and Portugal are in the same pot and therefore cannot be drawn into the same group, meaning Messi and Ronaldo could only face each other in the knockout stages of the competition.



<h3>Pot 1 (top seeds)</h3>



<ul><li>United States, Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Spain.</li></ul>



<h3>Pot 2</h3>



<ul><li>Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Senegal, Switzerland, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.</li></ul>



<h3>Pot 3</h3>



<ul><li>Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.</li></ul>



<h3>Pot 4</h3>



<ul><li>Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Playoff Teams (4), Intercontinental Playoff Teams (2).</li></ul>



The draw will determine the four teams for each of the 12 groups that will compete in the 2026 World Cup. Teams from the same confederation cannot be drawn into the same group. The only exception to this rule is Europe, as four groups will feature two European teams due to the high number of qualified participants from that continent.

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There is enormous global anticipation for the Finalissima, which brings the two sides together ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The excitement comes from seeing the reigning Copa America (Argentina) and Euros (Spain) champions face off, intensified by the generational clash between soccer legend <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> and Lamine Yamal, the rising star who promises to be his successor at Barcelona.



The Finalissima—in which the Lionel Scaloni’s team will defend the title they won against Italy before the Qatar World Cup—has been difficult to place on the international calendar due to the official commitments of both sides of the Atlantic. However, European sources had previously indicated the match would take place during the March FIFA window, specifically on Saturday, March 28th.



With the Lusail Stadium in Doha chosen as the venue, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> reportedly is considering to change the date, according to the Spanish outlet Marca. The change is minor, involving only moving the game up by one day, meaning it would be played on Friday, March 27th.



There remains a possibility, however, that the Finalissima could face a larger postponement. This stems from the fact that Spain have yet to definitively secure their direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup during the current double UEFA qualifying window, potentially forcing them into a play-off.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251107_BUS_522541_spain_5eb47da7.webp&amp;width=650&amp;height=365" alt="" class="wp-image-522554" width="650" height="365"></figure><figcaption>Spain are still looking to secure their direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



This alternative is considered highly improbable, as the team managed by Luis De La Fuente would need to finish second in their group for that scenario to occur. Spain currently lead Group E by 3 points over Turkey, whom they will face at home in the closing match of the window, following an away game against Georgia.



<h2>Spain and Argentina seeking additional friendlies</h2>


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Beyond the confirmed possibility of facing each other in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/finalissima">Finalissima</a>, the national teams of Spain and Argentina are both looking to finalize an extra friendly match for the March FIFA window, which marks the final leg of preparation ahead of the 2026 World Cup.



In the case of Spain, negotiations are reportedly advanced for a match in Doha against the local team, Qatar. Meanwhile, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/argentina">Argentina</a> have a strong possibility of measuring forces against Algeria, an African team that has also secured their ticket to the upcoming World Cup.



For now, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/spain">Spain</a> will seek to secure their ticket for the 2026 World Cup on Saturday, November 15th, when they face Georgia, and on Tuesday, November 18th, when they play Turkey in the European qualifiers. As for Argentina, their next commitment will be on Friday, November 14th, when they face Angola as part of an international friendly match.

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The dominant era of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> and Cristiano Ronaldo in the soccer world appears to have finally reached its conclusion. FIFA recently revealed the nominees for The Best Men’s Player Award for 2025, and notably, neither the Argentine nor the Portuguese star are featured among the contenders.



According to the <a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/2025/articles/mens-player-nominees-shortlist-voting">official FIFA report</a>, the nominees for The Best 2025 are: Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Nuno Mendes, Cole Palmer, Pedri, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, Vitinha and Lamine Yamal.



This development marks the fourth consecutive year in which <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> has not been included among the nominees for the award. For Messi, however, this represents the first time the Argentine superstar has been left off the list of contenders.



The last time the Portuguese star was featured on the shortlist was in 2021, when he finished seventh in the voting. That year, Robert Lewandowski claimed the honor, with Messi placing second.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">⭐ Your nominees for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBest</a> FIFA Men&apos;s Player 2025. 🗳️ Cast your vote now!— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1986476450803863587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>How many times has Lionel Messi won the award?</h2>



Lionel Messi has won three FIFA The Best awards, and he remains the player with the most nominations (9) since FIFA established the individual award for the world’s best footballer in 2016.


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The Argentine star secured the award in the 2019 edition, then won consecutively in the 2022 and 2023 editions. Additionally, in three editions (2016, 2017, and 2021), he was the second-most voted player, while he finished third in 2020 and sixth in his last nomination in 2024.



<h2>What about Cristiano Ronaldo?</h2>



In the case of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese star claimed the award twice, winning the inaugural editions in 2016 and 2017. He also finished in second place on two occasions (2018 and 2020) and third once (2019).



The last time CR7 was nominated for the main award was in the 2021 edition. He finished seventh in the voting, and he has not been part of the list of nominees since then. However, in 2024, he was nominated to participate in the FIFPRO World XI as one of the best forwards in the world but did not receive the final recognition.

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The excitement among fans eager to secure tickets for the 2026 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> World Cup continues to rise. During the first sales phase, FIFA reported that more than one million tickets were sold across 212 countries — a figure that has only heightened demand ahead of this second opportunity to apply.



This next phase of ticket sales opened on Monday, October 27, and will remain active until Friday, October 31. Time is limited for fans to register, but given the global enthusiasm surrounding the tournament, sales are expected to be another resounding success.



Just like in the first phase, the process consists of a ticket application followed by a random selection. Applicants who are chosen will receive a time slot to complete their purchase. These purchasing windows will take place between mid-November and early December.



<h2>How to register for 2026 World Cup tickets</h2>



Fans aged 18 and older who wish to buy tickets must first register and create a “FIFA ID” at the <a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/tickets?shortlink=6lhsx4we&amp;is_retargeting=false&amp;cid=(p_tw)(c_fwc)(sc_fwc26-early-ticket-draw-open)(ssc_fwc-2026)&amp;pid=(p_tw)(c_fwc)(sc_fwc26-early-ticket-draw-open)(ssc_fwc-2026)&amp;source_caller=api">FIFA official website</a>. Selected applicants will then receive an assigned purchase window, subject to ticket availability and FIFA’s terms and conditions.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" data-id="497526" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251027_BUS_516477_World-Cup_fa99638f.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="FIFA World Cup trophy" class="wp-image-497526" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px"></figure><figcaption>A detailed view of the FIFA World Cup Trophy.</figcaption></figure>
</figure>



During the initial phase, prices ranged from $60 for standard seats to as high as $6,730 for exclusive seats at the final. The pricing structure in this second phase will remain similar.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/soccer/mbappe-misses-penalty-for-real-madrid-vs-barcelona-how-many-have-messi-ronaldo-failed-to-score-in-a-clasico"></div>

 

 


In addition to regular tickets, fans can now purchase hospitality packages — available for single matches or multiple games — that include premium seating and other exclusive benefits.



<h2>When and where will the 2026 FIFA World Cup take place?</h2>



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">2026 FIFA World Cup</a> will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.



<ul><li>Canada: Toronto and Vancouver</li><li>Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey</li><li>United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle</li></ul>



<h2>Opening match and final venue confirmed</h2>



The tournament will kick off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, which will become the first stadium in history to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches.



The grand finale is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, closing the tournament in one of the most iconic venues in the United States.

FIFA opens new window for 2026 World Cup tickets: How long does it last and who can apply?

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Lionel Messi’s Argentina confirm rival and venue for friendly in November ahead of 2026 World Cup

FIFA opens new window for 2026 World Cup tickets: How long does it last and who can apply? - Bolavip US

Colombia and France squared off to determine who would finish third at the 2025 FIFA <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/u-20-world-cup">U-20 World Cup</a>. In the end, it was Cesar Torres’ side that came out on top with a narrow 1-0 win, marking Colombia’s return to the podium for the first time since 2003.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/colombia">Colombia</a> came close to reaching their first-ever U-20 World Cup final but fell short after a 1-0 loss to Argentina in the semifinals. Determined to finish strong, Torres’ men entered the third-place match focused and found success early on. Just two minutes into the game, Oscar Perea capitalized on a quick recovery in the attacking third to score what would stand as the only goal of the match.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/france">France</a> pushed hard in search of an equalizer, but Colombia’s backline remained resolute, shutting down every chance the French side created. With the victory, Colombia claim third place at the U-20 World Cup for the second time in their history, while France finish fourth, also repeating their 2011 result.

Colombia and France clash in FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 third place match

Welcome to our live coverage of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025, where Colombia face France!
The match is set to take place at Estadio Nacional in Chile as part of the U-20 World Cup third place match.
Stay with us for live, minute-by-minute updates — you won’t want to miss a single moment of this exciting matchup!

Kick off time and where to watch

The clash between Colombia and France will kick off at 3:00 PM (ET).
Peacock will be the option to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/where-to-watch-colombia-u20-vs-france-u20-live-in-the-usa-2025-u20-world-cup">watch Colombia vs France in the USA</a>. Other options are: Amazon Prime Video and Telemundo.

Colombia going for third place again

The only other time Colombia played for third place at a FIFA U-20 World Cup was back in 2003, when they faced Argentina. On that occasion, the Colombian side claimed the bronze medal with a hard-fought 2–1 win in a match that stayed close until the final whistle.

Confirmed lineup for Colombia!

This is Colombia's starting lineup: Jordan García; Carlos Sarabia, Simón García, Yeimar Mosquera, Julian Bazan, Juan Arizala; Joel Romero, Kéner González; Royner Benítez, Oscar Perea and Néiser Villarreal.
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">🚨 𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗥 Así formará nuestra Selección Colombia Masculina Sub 20 🆚 🇫🇷 Francia para buscar el podio de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaSeleNosUne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaSeleNosUne</a>🇨🇴 <a href="https://t.co/BYiPhdOcYA">pic.twitter.com/BYiPhdOcYA</a>— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCFSeleccionCol/status/1979610294029599148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Confirmed lineup for France!

This is France's starting lineup: Justin Bengui; Gady-Pierre Beyuku, Steven Baseya, Elyaz Zidane, Justin Bourgault; Tadjidine Mmadi, Moustapha Dabo, Fode Sylla; Ilane Toure,&nbsp; Djylian N'Guessan, and Anthony Bermont.

Colombia’s road to the third-place match

<ul>
<li>Group Stage: Colombia 1–0 Saudi Arabia</li>
<li>Group Stage: Colombia 0–0 Norway</li>
<li>Group Stage: Nigeria 1–1 Colombia</li>
<li>Round of 16: Colombia 3–1 South Africa</li>
<li>Quarterfinals: Spain 2–3 Colombia</li>
<li>Semifinal: Argentina 1–0 Colombia</li>
</ul>

France’s road to the third-place match

<ul>
<li>Group Stage: France 2–1 South Africa</li>
<li>Group Stage: United States 3–0 France</li>
<li>Group Stage: New Caledonia 0–6 France</li>
<li>Round of 16: Japan 0–0 France (won in extra time)</li>
<li>Quarterfinals: Norway 1–2 France</li>
<li>Semifinal: Morocco 1–1 France (lost on penalties)</li>
</ul>

Players are on the pitch!

Players from both countries are on the pitch for the national anthems. Everything is ready for the start of the match.

GAME ON!

Colombia and France have kicked off the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 third place match!
&nbsp;

2'- GOAAAAAL FOR COLOMBIA!!! (1-0)

Oscar Perea scores the first goal of the game!!

12'- France pushing for the equalizer

After conceding an early goal, France are pressing hard in search of the equalizer, but Colombia remain solid and organized at the back.

24'- France nearly levels the score!

After a dangerous cross into the box, Sylla had a clear chance to equalize, but his shot was brilliantly blocked by a Colombian defender.

36'- First substitution of the game (1-0)

Fode Sylla of France leaves the field injured to make way for Mayssam Benama.

43'- No penalty for France (1-0)

After reviewing the play on VAR, the referee decided not to award a penalty to France.

45'+ 2'- Second yellow card of the game (1-0)

Julian Bazan of Colombia received the second yellow card of the game.

28'- First yellow card of the game (1-0)

Joel Romero of Colombia received the first yellow card of the game.

HALFTIME! (1-0)

The third-place match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup heads to halftime.

The second half is underway! (1-0)

46'- Two substitutions for Colombia (1-0)

Julian Bazan and Yeimar Mosquera leave the field to make way for Luis Landazuri and Weimar Palacios.

55'- Yellow card for France (1-0)

Tadjidine Mmadi received a yellow card.

59'- Colombia miss a huge chance! (1-0)

After recovering the ball through high pressure, Royner Benítez found himself one-on-one with Justin Bengui, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

66'- Substitutions for both teams (1-0)

Royner Benitez of Colombia leaves the field to make way for Emilio Aristizábal, while Tadjidine Mmadi of France went out for Gabin Bernardeau.

84'- Another penalty denied for France (1-0)

After reviewing the play, the referee once again ruled that there was no penalty for France.

88'- Yellow card for Colombia (1-0)

Elkin Rivero received a yellow card.

END OF THE GAME (1-0)

Colombia clinch third place at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup!

Thanks for joining us!

Colombia defeated France 1-0 in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 third place match at Nacional Stadium and you lived every moment of this game here.
Thanks for staying with us, see you next time!

Colombia secure third place at FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 after 1-0 win over France: Goal and highlights

Colombia secure third place at FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 after 1-0 win over France: Goal and highlights - Bolavip US

During the break, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a>‘s Argentina closed out their fixtures with two strong wins — a narrow 1-0 victory over Venezuela and a dominant 6-0 rout of Puerto Rico — helping them move up in the standings. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>‘s Portugal, meanwhile, edged past Ireland 1-0 before conceding a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw with Hungary, leaving their ranking unchanged.



Despite <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/argentina">Argentina</a>’s recent success in friendlies, their earlier loss to Ecuador in South American World Cup qualifying ultimately prevented them from overtaking Spain, who remain at the top of the FIFA ranking.



But thanks to France’s 2-2 draw against Iceland in the fourth round of UEFA qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Argentina climbed into second place, with Les Bleus losing that spot to Lionel Messi and company.



As for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portugal">Portugal</a>, the draw against Hungary cost them valuable points, keeping Ronaldo’s team in fifth place — the same position they held in the previous update. England, ranked fourth, maintained their spot after winning both of their October matches, leaving Portugal with no room to climb.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251017_BUS_510955_cristiano-ronaldo-portugal-1024x576_9995eba9.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating" class="wp-image-509247" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates a goal against Hungary. (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



Although Portugal didn’t climb in the rankings, it was still a special international window for Cristiano Ronaldo. The captain scored a brace against Hungary, reaching 41 goals in Qualifiers and breaking Carlos Ruiz’s record of Guatemala <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/video-cristiano-ronaldos-record-breaking-goal-for-portugal-to-become-world-cup-qualifiers-all-time-top-scorer">to become the all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifying history</a>.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/soccer/ronaldo-leads-messi-in-list-of-highest-paid-soccer-players-this-year-but-whos-third"></div>


<h2>Updated FIFA top 10</h2>



With the latest <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> ranking update, the projected top seeds for the 2026 World Cup group draw would currently include: Mexico, the United States, and Canada (as host nations), along with Spain, Argentina, France, England, Portugal, Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy.


 

 


The updated FIFA ranking look as follows:



<ul><li>1- Spain</li><li>2- Argentina</li><li>3- France</li><li>4- England</li><li>5- Portugal</li><li>6- Netherlands</li><li>7- Brazil</li><li>8- Belgium</li><li>9- Italy</li><li>10- Germany</li></ul>

Argentina Move Up to No. 2, Portugal Remain Fifth in Latest FIFA World Rankings

Lionel Messi’s Argentina rise, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal unchanged in updated FIFA ranking

Cristiano Ronaldo delivers compelling message after achieving milestone in World Cup Qualifiers

Lionel Messi reacts with four-word message to anniversary of his Barcelona debut

Lionel Messi’s Argentina rise, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal unchanged in updated FIFA ranking - Bolavip US

Since its inception in 1977, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> U-20 World Cup has been a proving ground for soccer’s rising stars. Each tournament tells a story of emerging talent, unforgettable matches and nations staking their claim on the global stage.



Some countries have dominated eras, while others have pulled off shocking upsets. Year by year, the list of winners reflects the shifting power, capturing moments that often forecast the sport’s future icons.



Tracking the winners across decades reveals patterns of excellence and fleeting brilliance alike. From breakthrough triumphs to repeated successes, the all-time list of champions paints a vivid picture of youth <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer">soccer</a>’s evolving landscape.



<h2>Who is the reigning FIFA U-20 World Cup champion?</h2>



Morocco is the current champion of the FIFA <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/u-20-world-cup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U-20 World Cup</a>, having clinched their historic first title at the 2025 tournament held in Chile. Entering the final as underdogs, Morocco struck fast and lethally to deflate Argentina and cruise to an unforgettable 2-0 victory.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251017_BUS_510942_Uruguay-1024x576_9d1af347.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-510949" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Teammates of Uruguay U20 celebrate with the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup trophy. (Source: Ernesto Ryan/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



The Moroccans came out of the locker room determined to dictate the pace of the game in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup Final. It yielded results almost immediately, as Yassir Zabiri converted a threatening spot kick just inches outside the penalty box 12 minutes into the game. At the midway point of the first half, Zabiri made another appearance to cement his place as Argentina’s reaper. Off an efficient counterattack, Othmane Maamma delivered a cross to the goal scorer, who slotted it home for the decisive 2-0 lead.



Morocco was already acknowledged as an up-and-coming powerhouse in world soccer. However, the U-20 Atlas Lions’ conquest in Chile cemented their place as a force to be reckoned among the elite. Morocco hoisted Africa’s first FIFA U-20 World Cup since 2009, when Ghana was crowned in Cairo, Egypt. 



While many believed Argentina would run away with yet another World Cup championship, Morocco showcased an unparalleled will to defy all odds and come out on top while playing over 6,000 miles away from the Kingdom of Light.



<h2>Which country has won the most FIFA U-20 World Cups?</h2>



When discussing dominance in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, one nation stands above all others: <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/argentina">Argentina</a>. The South American giants hold the unequivocal record for the most titles won, boasting an impressive six championships in the tournament’s history.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251017_BUS_510942_Argentina-1-1024x576_7eb3727d.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-510959" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Sergio Aguero and Maximiliano Moralez with the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada trophy in 2007. (Source: Dave Sandford/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



This exceptional record speaks to Argentina’s long-standing culture of nurturing young talent, a tradition that saw legends like <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/diego-maradona">Diego Maradona</a> (1979) and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> (2005) make their global breakthrough on the U-20 stage.



The core of their dominance came between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s under the guidance of coach Jose Nestor Pekerman, who led them to an incredible three titles in just four editions (1995, 1997 and 2001). Argentina added two more trophies in 2005 and 2007, often demonstrating a flair and tactical intelligence unmatched by their peers. 



While their fierce continental rivals, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/brazil">Brazil</a>, trail close behind with five titles, Argentina’s unmatched haul of six cements their status as the most successful nation in the competition’s four-decade history. 



While coming in second is never a reason for jubilation in South America—especially when it comes to national soccer teams—Argentina has finished as runner-up twice (1983 and 2025), while Brazil has lost four finals (1991, 1995, 2009, and 2015). Reaching the decisive stages of the tournament further cements their place as hotbeds of world soccer talent.



<h2>FIFA U-20 World Cup champions all-time list by year</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Year</td><td>Champion</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Morocco</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Uruguay</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Ukraine</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>England</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Serbia</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>France</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>Brazil</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td><td>Ghana</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>Argentina</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>Argentina</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>Brazil</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>Argentina</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Spain</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td><td>Argentina</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td><td>Argentina</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td>Brazil</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td><td>Portugal</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td><td>Portugal</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td>Yugoslavia</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td><td>Brazil</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td><td>Brazil</td></tr><tr><td>1981</td><td>West Germany</td></tr><tr><td>1979</td><td>Argentina</td></tr><tr><td>1977</td><td>Soviet Union</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

FIFA U-20 World Cup: Complete List of Champions by Year

FIFA U-20 World Cup champions all-time list by year: Which national team has won the most times?

FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 prize money: How much do the champions get?

Is there a third-place game at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025?

FIFA U-20 World Cup champions all-time list by year: Which national team has won the most times? - Bolavip US

The FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 brings together the brightest young talents in soccer, each team chasing more than just glory. Beyond the trophies and medals, there’s a financial prize that highlights the stakes at this global stage.



Every goal, every save and every win carries weight not just in the standings but in the potential reward. The prize money structure reflects the importance <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> places on nurturing future stars and rewarding excellence at the youth level.



From emerging <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer">soccer</a> nations to established powerhouses, the battle for the title carries implications far beyond the pitch. The champions’ reward is more than symbolic, it’s a statement about the tournament’s growing influence.



<h2>What is the prize money for the FIFA U-20 World Cup?</h2>



Despite the lack of an official FIFA press release, recent media reports related to the final stages of the 2025 tournament indicate a significant financial reward is given to the national team’s governing body.



The amount consistently reported for the National Football Federation (FA) of the country that wins the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 is approximately $1 million. Lesser, but still substantial, amounts are reported for other top finishers, such as $300,000 for the third-place team.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251017_BUS_510926_FIFA-U-20-World-Cup-trophy-1024x576_80972a4f.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-510936" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>A view of the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2014. (Source: Michael Bradley/Getty Images for ATEED)</figcaption></figure>



It is crucial to understand that this prize money is paid to the National Football Federation and does not go directly to the players. The actual bonus money that individual players receive is an additional incentive determined entirely by the winning country’s own FA, making the final compensation highly variable.



For example, in the previous edition of the tournament, the bonuses offered to players by their respective FAs ranged widely, with some associations reportedly offering their players over $100,000 each, while others provided smaller figures.

FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025: Prize Money for Champions and Finalists Announced

What is the FIFA ranking and how it’s calculated: A closer look at the formula

FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 prize money: How much do the champions get? - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> and Argentina had to take down Kylian Mbappe and France in the final to win the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Flash-forward to 2025, La Albiceleste continue to compete against Les Bleus for prominence in world soccer.



With the 2026 World Cup drawing nearer, the Qatar 2022 finalists are within touching distance of each other in the top spots of the FIFA world ranking. France overtook Argentina in September, but without <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kylian-mbappe">Mbappe</a>, they are falling behind Messi’s team again.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/argentina">Argentina</a> are set to move up to second place in the upcoming update, with France dropping to the third spot. While the reigning world champions won their friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in October, France were held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland after beating Azerbaijan 3-0 in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/why-is-kylian-mbappe-not-playing-for-france-vs-iceland-in-uefa-world-cup-qualifiers-today-oct-13">Mbappe’s absence against Iceland</a> proved costly, as the striker had to sit out the game after suffering a knock to his right ankle in the previous match. The Real Madrid star opened the scoring against Azerbaijan but was subbed off after 83 minutes, with a problem that ultimately ruled him out for the following game.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251015_BUS_509985_mbapee-messi-1024x576_adccb8ed.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi" class="wp-image-487059" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kylian Mbappe of France and Lionel Messi of Argentina.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>When is the next FIFA world ranking update?</h2>



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> will release the updated world ranking on October 22, when Argentina will officially see the change. It’s great news for Messi and company, who lost the top spot in September at the hands of Lamine Yamal’s Spain after falling to Ecuador in the Conmebol World Cup Qualifiers.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/soccer/hows-the-race-to-1000-goals-between-messi-and-ronaldo-after-the-october-international-window"></div>


Until then, Lionel Scaloni’s team held a record of more than two years leading the ranking, which dated back to April 2023 after its World Cup triumph against <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/france">France</a> in Qatar.



With France failing to claim victory over Iceland as Mbappe had to travel back to Madrid, Argentina managed to beat Venezuela without Messi before the captain returned against Puerto Rico. The FIFA ranking could see more changes in November, March, and June before the 2026 World Cup.

Messi's Argentina Climbs to 2nd in FIFA Rankings as France Slips to 3rd Without Mbappe

Lionel Messi, Argentina capitalize on France’s setback without Kylian Mbappe to climb in FIFA ranking

Lionel Messi, Argentina capitalize on France's setback without Kylian Mbappe to climb in FIFA ranking - Bolavip US

The Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile, will set the stage for a thrilling FIFA U-20 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a> 2025 semifinal between Argentina and Colombia. The Albiceleste are chasing a record-extending seventh world title, while Los Cafeteros are looking to make history with their first-ever championship at this level.



<a href="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=3119684" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">[Watch Argentina vs Colombia live now in the USA on Fubo]</a>



To reach the final four, Diego Placente’s Argentina defeated Mexico 2–0 in the quarterfinals, with goals from Maher Carrizo and Mateo Silvetti. With that victory, the Argentine U-20 team secured their ninth appearance in a World Cup semifinal.



Cesar Torres’ Colombia, meanwhile, pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by eliminating Spain, a pre-tournament favorite. In one of the most exciting matches of the quarterfinals, Colombia claimed a 3–2 victory behind a stunning hat trick from Neiser Villarreal.



A high-intensity match is expected between two sides that know each other well from their CONMEBOL youth-level battles. On the other side of the bracket, France will face Morocco in the second semifinal for the remaining spot in the final.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Argentina 🇦🇷, Morocco 🇲🇦, and France 🇫🇷 once again on a world stage in the semi-finals.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U20WC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#U20WC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/3pN1Bx9UAt">pic.twitter.com/3pN1Bx9UAt</a>— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1978460862416576949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Probable lineup for Argentina</h2>



For this matchup, Placente will be without three key players. Valente Pierani is sidelined with a left knee sprain, Maher Carrizo is suspended due to yellow card accumulation from the quarterfinals, and Alvaro Montoro suffered a broken right collarbone in the Round of 16, ruling him out for the remainder of the tournament.


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This is <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/argentina">Argentina</a>‘s projected lineup: Santino Barbi; Dylan Gorosito, Tobias Ramirez, Juan Villalba, Julio Soler; Tobias Andrada or Tomas Perez, Milton Delgado, Valentino Acuña; Gianluca Prestianni, Ian Subiabre or Santino Andino, and Alejo Sarco.



<h2>Probable lineup for Colombia</h2>



The major absence for Torres will be Neiser Villarreal, the hero of the quarterfinal win over Spain. Villarreal received his second yellow card of the tournament in that match and will serve a one-game suspension in the semifinal.



This is <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/colombia">Colombia</a>‘s projected lineup: Jordan Garcia; Joel Romero, Simon Garcia, Yeimar Mosquera, Juan Arizala; Kener Gonzalez, Elkin Rivero, Jordan Barrera o Jose Cavadia; Joel Canchimbo, Oscar Perea and Royner Benitez or Emilio Aristizabal

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Argentina vs Colombia: Lineups for FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 semifinals - Bolavip US

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