Top 10 football nations in the world: Spain return to No.1 in FIFA Ranking after 10 years as Brazil and Argentina drop

Men’s international football returned with the latest FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers across the world, resulting in major shifts in the FIFA World Ranking.

Over 200 matches since the last update have reshaped the leaderboard, highlighted by Spain reclaiming the top spot for the first time in ten years.

According to FIFA’s latest release, here’s the updated Top 10 football countries in the world:

Spain have made a stunning comeback to the top of the FIFA World Rankings for the first time since 2014.

Riding high from their UEFA EURO 2024 triumph, La Roja surged ahead with an impressive +8.28 points, reminding the football world why they remain a global powerhouse.

Les Bleus climbed to second place with a strong +8.89 point boost. Known for their consistency and flair, France continue to assert themselves as one of the world’s most formidable teams.

The reigning world champions saw a surprising fall to third after dropping over 15 points. Argentina’s reign at the top since April 2023 came to a shocking end, showing that football glory can be fleeting.

The Three Lions held their ground at fourth place, gaining +7.12 points. England’s steady climb signals they remain determined contenders on the world stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal roared back into the top five with a +9.02 point increase. Their recent qualifying performances have made them a team to watch.

The South American giants dropped to sixth after losing over 16 points, slipping outside the top five. Brazil’s dip is a reminder that even legends face tough challenges.

The Oranje stayed steady in seventh place despite a small points loss. Their resilience keeps them firmly competitive in Europe.

Belgium maintained eighth with a slight +3.16 point gain, holding onto their spot among the global elite.

The 2018 World Cup finalists jumped into the top 10 with a +6.69 point boost. Croatia’s steady rise underlines their competitive spirit.

Italy made a return to the top 10 after earning +7.48 points, showing their enduring strength and ambition on football’s biggest stage.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles dropped out of the top five in Africa, with Zimbabwe earning the biggest dropper tag in the world after dropping nine places.

Meanwhile, Slovakia made the biggest leap overall, climbing an incredible 10 places to re-enter the top 50, proving the global game is full of surprises.

With Spain’s dazzling return and fierce competition from football heavyweights, the battle for world supremacy is heating up like never before.