FIFA released its final men’s world ranking on Thursday morning, just hours before Mexico and South Africa kick off the biggest World Cup in history at the Azteca. It’s the latest official snapshot before the tournament rewrites the entire list.
The next update arrives the day after the World Cup final. Here are four key takeaways:
(Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP via Getty Images)
There’s a poetry to it. Argentina, the reigning world champions, surged two spots to reclaim the No. 1 ranking. Powered by comfortable friendly wins over Iceland and Honduras. Lionel Scaloni’s side now walks into Kansas City next week wearing both crowns: world champions and the world’s top-ranked team.
The symbolism is nice; the history is brutal.
No nation has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. The top of this ranking has been a revolving door all year; Spain, France and Argentina have each tasted what it’s like being at the top. Being No. 1 in June guarantees nothing. Just ask Belgium, who spent years atop this list with zero trophies to show for it.
(Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP via Getty Images)
Buried in the release was the most significant line: Morocco climbed to seventh, the highest position any African nation has ever occupied in the FIFA rankings. This isn’t a fluke of the algorithm. It’s the compounding return on a 2022 semifinal run, an Africa Cup of Nations triumph, and years of infrastructure investment that the rest of CAF is still scrambling to copy.
The Atlas Lions leapfrogged the Netherlands to get there. Their reward for a historic week is immediate: a game against Brazil on Saturday, the marquee fixture of the entire group stage. Win that, and the conversation shifts from “best African team ever” to something far more interesting — legitimate contender.
(Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
