Germany has advanced to ninth place in the latest FIFA men’s rankings, positioning itself favorably ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup draw. This ascent is significant as it likely secures them a spot in Pot 1 during the draw, which will feature the top nine ranked teams alongside the tournament hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Being in Pot 1 helps avoid matchups against other top teams in the initial group stage.
Italy, still seeking qualification, has fallen to 12th place, while Croatia and Morocco have risen to 10th and 11th, respectively. The United States has also seen improvement, surpassing fellow World Cup hosts Mexico, with the team climbing to 14th place after successful matches against Paraguay and Uruguay.
Iran has entered the Top 20, while Turkiye is now placed within the Top 25. Currently, Spain holds the distinction of being the top team globally, closely followed by Argentina and France. Notably, Malta and the Republic of Ireland have shown the most significant progress, especially as the latter contends for a place in the World Cup. Kosovo has achieved its highest ranking at 80th as they prepare for the second round of UEFA World Cup qualifying, while Uzbekistan and Denmark have experienced considerable drops in their standings.