Spain extend FIFA ranking lead as Portugal climb to fifth

Spain have increased their advantage over second-placed Argentina at the top of the latest FIFA world ranking, while Portugal and Switzerland have both moved up two places to fifth and 12th respectively.

Spain replaced Argentina at number one in July, largely because of their 1-0 extra-time victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Luis de la Fuente’s team have since won all four of their matches, extending the record unbeaten run in men’s international football to 42 games. Lamine Yamal has been among the outstanding performers during that sequence.

Argentina remain second, followed by France and England. Portugal’s rise to fifth pushed Brazil down to sixth and Morocco to seventh. Under new coach Jorge Jesus, Portugal won all four of their recent UEFA Nations League matches, including away victories against Norway and Denmark, according to FIFA.

Switzerland have also made significant progress after recording four wins, three of them by a 3-0 scoreline. Zeki Amdouni and Dan Ndoye were key figures for Murat Yakin’s side, who moved above Germany and Croatia. The two former World Cup 2026 quarter-finalists dropped to 13th and 14th respectively.

Australia rose two places to 26th, Canada climbed three to 27th, Cote d’Ivoire moved up two to 29th and Sweden gained three places to 34th. Greece were among the biggest movers in that section of the table, rising five places to 41st.

Ivan Jovanovic’s Greece won two and drew two of their UEFA Nations League A matches. Their results included a 1-0 away victory over Germany and a home draw with the Netherlands.

Mali and South Africa each climbed six places, reaching 47th and 48th. Mali, inspired by Dorgeles Nene and teenage prospect Ange Martial Tia, defeated Cabo Verde and Liberia and drew away in Morocco. South Africa beat Guinea and Eritrea before goalkeeper Sipho Chaine helped secure a 1-0 win in Egypt.

The latest changes mean Africa now have 10 nations in the top 50. Mozambique climbed five places to 98th, The Gambia rose seven to 109th, Rwanda moved up nine to 119th, Guinea-Bissau gained eight to 124th and Botswana advanced six to 141st.

Elsewhere, Slovenia rose four places to 52nd, Bosnia and Herzegovina four to 57th, Northern Ireland six to 64th, Angola four to 83rd and Haiti four to 84th. Estonia climbed five places to 122nd, the Dominican Republic nine to 135th, Guyana eight to 142nd and Barbados five to 174th.

A total of 338 international matches have been played since the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended on July 19. Those fixtures included UEFA and CONCACAF Nations League matches and qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.