The 2026 World Cup is undoubtedly the biggest in history, with countries spread all across the FIFA rankings appearing at this year’s tournament.
With 48 countries appearing in the World Cup for the first time, it has never been more diverse in terms of quality and culture.
Almost all of the traditional soccer powerhouses are there save for some notable exceptions (looking at you, Italy), while four countries – Uzbekistan, Curacao, Cabo Verde and Jordan – are making their first appearances in this competition.
There has simply never been a tournament like the 2026 World Cup. With that in mind, here’s a look at how the official FIFA rankings look ahead of everything kicking off later this week.
Group A
Mexico – 14th
South Africa – 60th
Korea Republic – 25th
Czechia – 39th
Group B
Canada – 30th
Bosnia-Herzegovina – 64th
Qatar – 57th
Switzerland – 19th
Group C
Brazil – 6th
Morocco – 7th
Haiti – 83rd
Scotland – 42nd
Group D
United States – 17th
Paraguay – 40th
Australia – 27th
Turkey – 22nd
Group E
Germany – 10th
Curacao – 82nd
Ivory Coast – 33rd
Ecuador – 23rd
Group F
Netherlands – 8th
Japan – 18th
Sweden – 38th
Tunisia – 46th
Group G
Belgium – 9th
Egypt – 29th
Iran – 21st
New Zealand – 85th
Group H
Spain – 2nd
Cabo Verde – 67th
Saudi Arabia – 61st
Uruguay – 16th
Group I
France – 3rd
Senegal – 15th
Iraq – 56th
Norway – 31st
Group J
Argentina – 1st
Algeria – 28th
Austria – 24th
Jordan – 63rd
Group K
Portugal – 5th
DR Congo – 45th
Uzbekistan – 50th
Colombia – 13th
Group L
England – 4th
Croatia – 11th
Ghana – 73rd
Panama – 34th
How the official FIFA rankings work
A new model on how to calculate the FIFA men’s rankings was created in 2018.
It was named ‘SUM’ because it relies on adding/subtracting points won or lost for a game to/from the previous point totals instead of averaging game points over a specific time period.
The last time the FIFA rankings were updated was on April 1 but they are subject to change throughout the World Cup.
Read more:
Why the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony won’t be held in the US
How FIFA retrofitted 16 stadium fields with natural grass for 2026 World Cup in North America
FIFA gives clarity on water bottle rule at World Cup stadiums and fans are furious
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