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FIFA rankings: Spain stay top, Portugal overtake Brazil, Morocco for 5th

Spain have won all four matches since their World Cup triumph to extend their unbeaten run to 42 games, while Switzerland climbed to 12th after four victories.

Zurich: Spain have strengthened their position at the top of the latest FIFA world rankings, opening up a bigger gap over second-placed Argentina, while Portugal and Switzerland climbed two places to fifth and 12th, respectively.

Spain moved to the summit in July after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Since then, Luis de la Fuente’s side have won all four matches, extending their unbeaten run in men’s international football to a record 42 games, with Lamine Yamal among their standout performers.

Argentina remain second, followed by France and England. Portugal climbed to fifth after winning all four of their recent UEFA Nations League matches under new coach Jorge Jesus, including away victories against Norway and Denmark. Brazil and Morocco dropped to sixth and seventh.

Switzerland also recorded four wins, including three 3-0 victories, to rise to 12th. Zeki Amdouni and Dan Ndoye played key roles for Murat Yakin’s team. Germany and Croatia slipped to 13th and 14th.

Australia climbed two places to 26th, Canada three to 27th, Côte d’Ivoire two to 29th and Sweden three to 34th. Greece made one of the biggest gains in the top 50, moving five places to 41st after winning twice and drawing twice in Nations League A, including a 1-0 away win over Germany and a draw against the Netherlands.

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Mali and South Africa each rose six places to 47th and 48th. Mali beat Cabo Verde and Liberia and drew with Morocco, while South Africa defeated Guinea and Eritrea before a 1-0 win in Egypt.

Africa now have 10 teams in the top 50. Mozambique, The Gambia, Rwanda, Guinea-Bissau and Botswana also climbed.

Other notable risers included Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Angola, Haiti, Estonia, the Dominican Republic, Guyana and Barbados.

A total of 338 international matches have been played since the World Cup ended on July 19, including Nations League fixtures and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.


With IANS inputs

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