Spain has returned to the summit of world football after reclaiming the No. 1 spot in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings, capping off their triumphant 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
The newly crowned world champions climbed back to the top following their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, ending Argentina’s reign at the summit and reaffirming Spain’s dominance on the international stage.
Spain’s rise comes after an impressive tournament in which they defeated Portugal, Belgium, France, and Argentina in the knockout rounds to lift their second FIFA World Cup title.
Meanwhile, Morocco achieved a historic milestone by climbing to sixth place in the latest rankings—the highest position ever attained by an African nation in FIFA’s men’s rankings.
The Atlas Lions continued their remarkable rise in world football with another outstanding World Cup campaign, reaching the semifinals before finishing among the tournament’s top teams. Their performance earned them nearly 49 ranking points and cemented their status as Africa’s highest-ranked national side.
Argentina slipped to second despite reaching the World Cup final, while France remained third after finishing fourth in the tournament. England moved up to fourth following a third-place finish, with Brazil completing the top five.
Spain’s return to the top highlights the country’s resurgence under head coach Luis de la Fuente, while Morocco’s record-breaking ranking underscores the growing strength of African football on the global stage.