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FIFA rankings: 2022 World Cup winner Argentina up to 2nd, Brazil still in 1st.
FIFA updates the national team’s world rankings following the 2022 World Cup. Despite winning the 2022 World Cup, Argentina saw a justifiable increase in their position in FIFA’s updated men’s world rankings but failed to overtake Brazil for the top slot.
Argentina climbed into second place a day after defeating France in a thrilling World Cup final in Qatar, while rival South American nation Brazil remained in first place despite Selecao’s elimination from the tournament in the quarterfinals. World Cup finalist France moved up one place to third.
Argentina or France would’ve usurped Brazil had Sunday’s finale been decided within the allotted 120 minutes of playing time.
But since shootout victories are worth fewer points than a regulation win, according to FIFA’s calculation, Brazil’s place atop the rankings was assured when extra time was over at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
While Argentina won four games in regulation and two on penalties after losing its opening match to Saudi Arabia, Brazil won three matches in Qatar before losing to Croatia on penalties.
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While all was going on, the United States moved up three spots to 13th place, passing Mexico as the highest-ranked CONCACAF country. While Canada lost the most ground, falling 12 spots to 53rd, Mexico is rated 15th.
Following an unexpected run to the World Cup semifinals, Morocco shot up the rankings. The Atlas Lions are now the highest-ranked team in Africa after moving up 11 spots to place 11. Following exceeding expectations in Qatar, Australia and Cameroon also experienced double-digit increases, moving up to positions 27 and 33, respectively.
Belgium, however, dropped two spots from second to fourth after failing to advance through the group stage. The Red Devils are in front of sixth-placed Netherlands and fifth-placed England.
Top 20 rankings:
| RANK | COUNTRY |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil |
| 2 | Argentina |
| 3 | France |
| 4 | Belgium |
| 5 | England |
| 6 | Netherlands |
| 7 | Croatia |
| 8 | Italy |
| 9 | Portugal |
| 10 | Spain |
| 11 | Morocco |
| 12 | Switzerland |
| 13 | United States |
| 14 | Germany |
| 15 | Mexico |
| 16 | Uruguay |
| 17 | Colombia |
| 18 | Denmark |
| 19 | Senegal |
| 20 | Japan |