Argentina maintain control in latest FIFA rankings

Following recent 2026 World Cup qualifier wins over Ecuador and Bolivia, Lionel Scaloni’s World Cup winners Argentina maintain their grip at the summit of the latest FIFA World Ranking issued by the governing body on Thursday morning (21 September). Second place France lose some ground on the Albiceleste after suffering a 2-1 friendly defeat at the hands of Germany earlier in the month.

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The top five remains unchanged with Brazil in third place, England (4th) and Belgium (5th). The leaders are then followed by Croatia (6th), the Netherlands (7th) and Portugal (8th), who are the only team amongst the top ten to climb a position as Italy (9th) slip down one place after having been held to a 1-1 draw away to, what is becoming their bogey team in North Macedonia. Nations League winners Spain are in tenth spot.

Further down the rankings is where plenty of change has occurred and between 10-50th places, no fewer than 17 nations have risen by a place or more. Austria (25th) and Hungary (32nd) both make strides by climbing four places as African sides Mali (49th) and Ivory Coast (50th) move up two spots apiece to reclaim their positions in the top 50.

Two defeats earlier this month sees Northern Ireland drop to 74th place (down 10 places) and Michael O’Neil’s men are the biggest fallers in the latest instalment of the ranking. Recent poor showings sees Belarus (105th) tumble seven places to drop out of the top 100.

Boosted by their surprise win over Poland, a defeat that cost Fernando Santos hos job with the White Eagles, Albania (62nd, up 3) record the biggest move by points (up 20.08) and it’s back to Africa to monitor the biggest climbers in the latest rankings with Guinea Bissau (106th) and Aruba (193rd), both nations making a six places jump.

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The full FIFA ranking detailing the positions of all 207 members can be viewed here.