The latest FIFA Men's World Rankings reveal shifts among some of the world's leading national teams, particularly in the CONCACAF region, while Spain and Argentina continue to hold the top two positions. The rankings, updated on January 19, 2026, reflect the outcomes of recent international matches, including the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which significantly influenced the standings.
Spain remains the top-ranked team, followed closely by Argentina and France. The top seven positions remain unchanged, with England, Brazil, Portugal, and the Netherlands holding their respective spots.
The United States and Mexico experienced slight setbacks in the latest rankings. The USMNT dropped one spot to 15th, while Mexico fell to 16th. Canada also slipped two places to 29th. These shifts come as a result of strong performances from African teams in the AFCON tournament.
Senegal was the biggest mover, climbing seven positions to 12th overall after their impressive AFCON campaign where they defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final. Their rise impacted the rankings of the USMNT and Mexico. Morocco also rose three spots to eighth, marking their best-ever position and a return to the top 10 for the first time since April 1998.
Nigeria jumped 12 places to rank 26th, their highest since May 2010, after finishing third in the AFCON. Algeria also climbed six spots to 28th. Cameroon was also a significant climber, moving up 12 spots to 45th. In contrast, Equatorial Guinea experienced the largest drop, falling ten places to 107th.
The next FIFA rankings will be released on April 1, 2026, following the international break in March. These rankings are based on a point system that considers match results, relative team strength, match importance, and expected results. The system, which utilizes the Elo rating system, was updated in August 2018.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, these rankings provide a snapshot of the current international football landscape. The United States, Mexico, and Canada, as co-hosts, will be looking to improve their positions in the coming months. Mexico will begin their World Cup journey on June 11 against South Africa in Mexico City, while the United States will face Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles. Canada will also begin on June 12 against a yet-to-be-determined team in Toronto.
