Argentina Regains Number One Position in FIFA Standings as Global Soccer Tournament Begins

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Argentina’s captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi (C) lifts the FIFA World Cup Trophy as he celebrate with teammates winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

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By Ayobami Okerinde

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Defending champions Argentina will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the highest-ranked team in the world, according to the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday.

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The expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, kicks off today, with South Africa facing Mexico in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opening fixture.

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Argentina reclaimed top spot following friendly wins over Honduras and Iceland. Spain remain second after recording a draw and a win against Iraq and Peru, respectively, while 2018 champions France dropped to third after a defeat to Ivory Coast and subsequent victories over Northern Ireland.

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Nigeria maintained 26th position in the world rankings after a mixed run of results in recent international matches. The Super Eagles impressed at the Unity Cup in London with wins over Zimbabwe and Jamaica before drawing 2–2 with Poland and narrowly losing 2–1 to Portugal in friendlies.

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Morocco remains Africa’s highest-ranked team, sitting seventh globally.

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Full List

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• Argentina
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• Spain
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• France
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• England
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• Portugal
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• Brazil
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• Morocco
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• Netherlands
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• Belgium
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• Germany
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