Argentina moves back to the top of the FIFA rankings just hours before the start of the World Cup

Defending champions Argentina climbed back to top spot in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings in the latest poll released just hours before the 2026 tournament was due to start.

Argentina, who won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a penalty shootout victory over France, have not topped the rankings since July 2025. It rose two places from third after World Cup victories over Iceland and Honduras.

Argentina, led by star Lionel Messi, will play its World Cup opener in Group J in Kansas City against Algeria on Tuesday. Group stage matches are also scheduled for June 22 against Austria and June 27 against Jordan, both in Arlington, Texas.

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Of the three co-hosts for this year’s World Cup, Mexico ranks highest, moving up one spot to No. 14. The United States fell one spot to No. 17, while Canada is at No. 30.

Spain remained second in the FIFA poll, while France dropped from first place to number 3 after losing a match against Ivory Coast before beating Northern Ireland.

England was at number 4, followed by Portugal at number 5.

No teams dropped from the top 10, with Brazil remaining at number 6, while Morocco rose one spot to number 7. The Netherlands dropped one spot to number 8, while Belgium remained at number 9 and Germany remained at number 10.

Mexico starts its World Cup match against South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday afternoon. ⁠Canada opens the group match on Friday afternoon against Bosnia-Herzegovina in ⁠Toronto, while the United States faces Paraguay on Friday evening in Inglewood.

No. 12 Italy is the highest-ranked team not to participate in the 2026 World Cup after failing to qualify, while No. 21 Denmark and No. 26 Nigeria are also not participating.

Published on June 11, 2026