Summary
The results of the most recent international break have had an impact on the FIFA World Rankings.
The most recent World Cup winners, France and Argentina, remain in the top three.
Portugal and Italy are slowly but steadily climbing the rankings.
Following a busy few months on the international stage, FIFA has revealed its latest world rankings. Nations League and World Cup qualifiers are two major events that have occurred recently, and things are just going to heat up even more as we approach the final ten months before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The governing body bases their rankings on points that can be accumulated or deducted based on previous performance. Many nations haven’t been in much competitive activity recently, thus there hasn’t been much movement towards the bottom of the rankings, while other high-profile countries have significantly enhanced their reputation and standing with numerous major results.
Having said that, below are the 50 highest-rated countries in world football, according to the FIFA Men’s World Rankings. England maintains a strong position, although Argentina, France, and Spain are rightfully at the top.
FIFA Men’s World Rankings – September 2025: 1st-10th.
Argentina and France, the two most recent World Cup winners, have remained in the top three since the last standings update. The main talking point in this section, however, is that Lionel Messi and his team have been ousted by Euro 2024 winners Spain, who have jumped ahead of everyone to occupy first place after crushing Bulgaria and Turkey 3-0 and 6-0 respectively.
England is ranked fourth, with the Thomas Tuchel era off to a successful, if not very entertaining, start. Portugal has risen to fifth place after winning the Nations League, while Brazil has dropped a spot following a mixed World Cup qualification campaign in which they made apologies for a 1-0 loss to Bolivia with a 3-0 win over Chile. The Netherlands and Belgium have kept their previous positions, while Croatia and Italy have into the top ten for the first time.
FIFA Men’s World Rankings
Rank
Nation
Points
1
Spain
1875.37
2
France
1870.92
3
Argentina
1870.32
4
England
1820.44
5
Portugal
1779.55
6
Brazil
1761.6
7
Portugal
1754.17
8
Belgium
1739.54
9
Croatia
1714.2
10
Italy
1710.06
11th – 20th
Marcelo Bielsa and Julian Nagelsmenn performed admirably in their first international tournaments as managers of Uruguay and Germany, respectively, but oh how the mighty have fallen from their pedestals, now sitting 15th and 12th. Morocco, meanwhile, remains one of the ultimate dark horses in recent championships, finishing 11th.
Switzerland, which historically had a similar reputation as the Atlas Lions, is now ranked 17th. Meanwhile, Denmark, perhaps surprisingly, ranks 20th, despite appearing to have a well-oiled machine under Kasper Hjulmand. Being placed in a qualifying group with Spain was always going to be difficult, but they presently lead Serbia in second position after winning twice, drawing twice, and losing twice.
FIFA Men’s World Rankings
Rank
Nation
Points
11
Morocco
1706.27
12
Germany
1704.27
13
Colombia
1692.1
14
Mexico
1688.38
15
Uruguay
1673.65
16
USA
1670.04
17
Switzerland
1648.3
18
Senegal
1645.23
19
Japan
1640.47
20
Denmark
1627.64
21st – 30th
Turkiye made one of the biggest moves in the most recent rankings update. Reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 would have undoubtedly aided their cause, as the country rose 16 positions, and they have retained their position in 27th this time. It reflects that, while having a lot of promise, they have yet to break past the glass ceiling.
Ukraine flattered to deceive in Germany, losing ground in the FIFA standings, and their record of only one win in their previous four games sees them fall farther behind. Wales is the second-best British team according to these rankings, despite failing to qualify for the previous international competition. They are seated 30th.
FIFA Men’s World Rankings
Rank
Nation
Points
21
Iran
1622.61
22
Austria
1601.86
23
Korea Republic
1593.19
24
Ecuador
1588.04
25
Australia
1583.49
26
Canada
1558.04
27
Turkey
1555.72
28
Ukraine
1543.06
29
Panama
1529.71
30
Wales
1529.09
31st – 40th
Norway and Sweden are concerned because they are only slightly ahead of Russia in the rankings, despite Russia being the only country barred from competing in next year’s World Cup. Both countries have excellent offensive talent: Norway’s Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland, and Sweden’s Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. However, they definitely need to make greater use of these assets if they are to attain their desired level.
Egypt remains a one-man show with Mohamed Salah, which makes their ranking in the top 35 all the more impressive. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic and Greece may consider themselves unlucky to be rated so low, even if their recent mixed results indicate otherwise.
FIFA Men’s World Rankings
Rank
Nation
Points
31
Norway
1526.23
32
Sweden
1524.62
33
Russia
1521.74
34
Serbia
1520.9
35
Egypt
1519.18
36
Poland
1517.3
37
Paraguay
1501.01
38
Algeria
1500.74
39
Czechia
1500.29
40
Greece
1494.72
41st – 50th
Hungary is another team that appears to be failing given the potential at its disposal. With Liverpool’s Milos Kerkez and Dominik Szoboszlai, largely regarded as two of the best midfielders in the world right now, leading the way, expectations are understandably high. Nonetheless, they are currently ranked 41st, slightly ahead of Slovakia and Scotland, two countries that have never advanced beyond the group stage of a World Cup. For a team with true top-tier talent, that place feels like a severe underachievement.
Tunisia has been quietly gaining traction. They have won five of their last six games, losing only to Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked team. During that stretch, they also kept five clean sheets, making their small three-place increase appear harsh. They continue to fly under the radar, yet they are currently proving difficult to beat.
Costa Rica, on the other hand, has dropped seven positions as a result of a recent slump. A draw against 132nd-ranked Nicaragua and another against 87th-ranked Haiti demonstrate their persistent difficulties, reversing much of the progress gained in prior years.
FIFA Men’s World Rankings
Rank
Nation
Points
41
Hungary
1492.18
42
Slovakia
1491.87
43
Scotland
1485.08
44
Ivory Coast
1483.9
45
Nigeria
1483.86
46
Tunisia
1483.02
47
Costa Rica
1481.13
48
Peru
1469.31
49
Venezuela
1465.02
50
Slovenia
1462.96
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