Spain have reclaimed top spot in the FIFA world rankings after winning the World Cup, while Morocco have achieved the highest position ever recorded by an African nation.
La Roja, who beat defending champions Argentina after extra time in Sunday’s final, have not only added a second star to their shirt but also returned to number one in the world for the first time since April. Their strong campaign leaves them with a clear cushion over their closest rivals going into the new international cycle.
Argentina, who fell just short of retaining their title, slip to second but remain firmly installed as the main challengers. France hold third place, while England stay fourth after overcoming Les Bleus in the third-place play-off – a result that cements the Three Lions among the game’s current elite.
At the top of the world game, Brazil have climbed back into the top five, while Morocco’s remarkable rise continues as they close to within a single ranking point of the five-time world champions.
Spain crowned and restored as world number one
Spain’s World Cup triumph over Argentina has carried an extra dividend: a return to the summit of the global rankings. Having been absent from the number one spot since April, their title-winning run has propelled them back to the top of the FIFA list.
Runners-up Argentina drop one place to second but keep their status as nearest challengers. France, beaten in the third-place play-off, remain third, with England fourth after their victory in that play-off – a result that strengthens their position just outside the podium places.
Brazil, who enjoyed a solid tournament and benefited from Portugal’s early exit, climb one place to fifth and re-enter the world’s top five.
World Cup reshapes global top 10
The 104 matches played at this World Cup have caused significant movement within the top 10.
Morocco, continuing a rise that began at the previous edition, move up to sixth and overtake Portugal, who drop two places to seventh after being knocked out in the last 16 by Spain. The Atlas Lions are now the highest-ranked African nation by some distance and stand on the brink of the top five.
Morocco’s tally of 1,803.99 points leaves them less than a single point behind Brazil, who sit fifth with 1,804.92 points. Sixth place represents the best ranking ever achieved by an African side in the modern era and underlines Moroccan dominance on the continent.
Landmark World Cup for African football
This 2026 World Cup is being hailed as a turning point for African football. With a record 10 African nations in the finals, established powers confirmed their status while several underdogs produced eye-catching runs.
Morocco again led the way with another memorable campaign, reaching the quarter-finals and surviving a dramatic penalty shootout against the Netherlands along the way. Their sixth-place ranking is now the benchmark for African football.
Two other African teams made striking progress. Egypt, reaching the last 16 before being eliminated by Argentina, climb five places to 24th. The Pharaohs have moved closer to the global top 20 after their impressive run.
Among the surprise packages, DR Congo (officially FIFA’s DR Congo, often shortened to Congo DR) produced one of the most notable stories of the tournament. The Leopards held England in the round of 32 before going out with credit, and they rise five places to 41st, re-entering the world’s top 45.
Rising Africans: South Africa, Ghana and others climb
Several other African nations have also capitalised on strong World Cup and qualifying performances.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana emerged from a fiercely contested Group A at the expense of the Czech Republic, underlining their resurgence. They move up six places to 54th.
Ghana’s Black Stars, who impressed with fluid displays in Group K, record the biggest African leap in the post-World Cup rankings. They climb eight spots to 65th, the largest rise by any African team.
Senegal remain Africa’s second-best ranked side in 18th place globally, firmly inside the world’s top 20. Nigeria, despite not qualifying for the World Cup, hold 26th place and stay fourth on the continent.
Ivory Coast have also made a notable push. Now 31st, they are closing in on Algeria, who sit 29th and occupy one of the top five African slots. The Fennecs were knocked out in the round of 32 by Switzerland, opening the door to a tighter battle for continental supremacy.
The current African hierarchy is led by Morocco, followed by Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria and Algeria, with Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Cameroon, Mali and South Africa also in the chasing pack. Further down, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Guinea, Gabon, Angola, Uganda, Zambia and Benin complete a competitive continental landscape that has never looked deeper or more ambitious.
