The FIFA Men’s Football World Ranking is a ranking system for men’s national teams in association football, currently led by Belgium. The teams of the men’s member nations of FIFA, football’s world governing body, are ranked based on their game results with the most successful teams being ranked highest.
7. Belgium
The Belgium men’s national football team is controlled by the Royal Belgian Football Association, the governing body for football in Belgium. Nicknamed the Red Devils, the team is known for its skilful and creative attack-minded playing. Belgium currently ranks first in the FIFA world rankings and has competed in the FIFA World Cup 14 times, reaching the semi-finals twice.
The Belgium team has won the UEFA European Championship twice, in 1980 and in 2000. The team has also won the UEFA Nations League in 2019, becoming the first team to do so. The team represented Belgium in the Summer Olympics four times, winning the gold medal in 1920 and the bronze medal in 1900 and 1920.
Belgium’s most iconic players include Jan Ceulemans, Paul Van Himst, Enzo Scifo, Marc Wilmots, and Eden Hazard. The team is coached by Roberto Martinez and captained by Eden Hazard.
6. France
The current France national football team is managed by Didier Deschamps, who was appointed in 2012. The team is composed of players from the French Football Federation’s leagues, as well as players from leagues around the world.
The team has appeared in nine FIFA World Cup tournaments, winning one in 1998 and one in 2018. It has also appeared in six UEFA European Football Championships, winning two in 1984 and 2000.
The France team is currently ranked fourth in the FIFA World Rankings and is one of the most successful teams in international football. France is also one of the eight national teams to have won the FIFA World Cup and has also won the UEFA Euros twice.
5. Brazil
The Brazil men’s national football team is currently managed by head coach Tite. It is one of the most successful national teams in the world and is currently ranked 5th in the FIFA World Rankings.
The team has won the FIFA World Cup five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. It is the only team to have participated in every World Cup since the first edition in 1930. Brazil is also the most successful team in the Copa América, with eight titles, and one of the most successful in the Confederations Cup, with four titles.
Brazil has a long and proud footballing history, with some of the biggest names in the game having played for the national team. Some of the most famous players to have represented the Seleção include Pelé, Garrincha, Ronaldo, Romário, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká, Neymar, and Philippe Coutinho.
The team plays its home matches at a variety of stadiums across the country, including the legendary Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.
4. England
The England national football team represents England in men’s international football and is controlled by The Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is one of the two oldest national teams in football; alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world’s first international football match in 1872. England’s home ground is Wembley Stadium, London, and their headquarters are at St. George’s Park, Burton upon Trent. The team’s manager is Gareth Southgate.
England has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 15 times and won the 1966 tournament. They have also finished in the top four in three other World Cups, in 1990, 2018 and 2022. England has also won the FIFA U-20 World Cup once, in 1966, and finished in third place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2019. England won the UEFA European Championship once, in 1968, and was runners-up in 1996. Since 2000, they have also regularly qualified for the UEFA Nations League, reaching the semi-finals in 2019.
England has traditionally fielded a strong team in international football and is one of the more successful national teams in the modern era. They have non-consecutive periods of success, the most recent being from 2014 to the present. The team won the FIFA World Cup in 1966 and achieved their best-ever finish in a FIFA World Cup when they came fourth in 2018.
3. Portugal
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in international men’s football competitions. It is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal’s first international match was played on 18 December 1921, a 3–1 away win against Spain. Their home stadium is the Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Fernando Santos.
The current captain of the Portugal football team is Cristiano Ronaldo, who also holds the record for most international caps for Portugal, with 167. Portugal won one UEFA European Championship, in 2016, and one UEFA Nations League title, in 2019. They have also won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017, and the UEFA Nations League in 2020.
The Portuguese team has also achieved a number of individual successes, with Cristiano Ronaldo winning numerous individual awards, including the Ballon d’Or in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016, and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008 and 2016. Other notable players from the Portugal national football team include Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Nani.
2. Spain
The Spain National Football Team is one of the most successful teams in international football. They are the reigning champions of the FIFA World Cup, having won it in 2010, and are two-time European champions, having won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012. They are also the winners of the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
The team is managed by Luis Enrique and captained by Sergio Ramos. The current squad includes the likes of Sergio Busquets, David Silva, Isco, Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Diego Costa, and Gerard Pique.
The team has been consistently successful in recent years and is considered one of the best national teams in the world. They have also had a history of producing some of the world’s top players, such as Fernando Torres, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta.
The team plays its home matches at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, and also plays at various other stadiums around the country.
1. Argentina
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in men’s international football and is administered by the Argentine Football Association, the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina’s home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires.
Argentina is one of the most successful national teams in the history of the FIFA World Cup, having won two titles in 1978 and 1986 and having been runners-up in 1930, 1990, and 2014. They have also won 14 Copa América titles, and have been runners-up 7 times. Argentina won the 2012 Summer Olympics football tournament and the first-ever gold medal for the country at the Pan American Games.
The current head coach of the Argentina national team is Lionel Scaloni. He was appointed in November 2018 after Jorge Sampaoli was dismissed following the team’s disappointing performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. How often does FIFA release their Men’s Football Ranking?
A. FIFA releases its Men's Football Ranking on a monthly basis.
Q. How is the FIFA Men’s Football Ranking determined?
A. The FIFA Men’s Football Ranking is determined by a points-based system that takes into account the results of international matches over the past four-year period. Points are awarded based on the result and importance of the match, with greater emphasis placed on matches against higher-ranked opponents. The points are then averaged over the four-year period, with the rankings updated every month. The rankings are based on points, not goal difference or goal average, and the rankings are used to determine seedings for international tournaments.
Q. How does a team move up in the FIFA Men’s Football Ranking?
A. A team can move up in the FIFA Men’s Football Ranking by winning matches, having a higher win percentage, and having a higher goal difference. In addition, teams are rewarded for playing more matches against higher-ranked teams, and the points awarded are adjusted according to the outcome of these matches.
Q. How does a team move down in the FIFA Men’s Football Ranking?
A. A team can move down in the FIFA Men's Football Ranking by losing their matches, having poor performances in tournaments, or dropping points in official matches. Teams can also fall in the rankings if other teams have better performances.
Q. What are the criteria for a team to be included in the FIFA Men’s Football Ranking?
A.
- Teams must have played at least five international matches within the last four years.
- Matches must be full FIFA-recognized A internationals, including World Cup and Continental qualifiers, as well as friendlies.
- The results of matches are weighted differently depending on the type of match: World Cup matches are weighted the most, followed by continental qualifiers and then friendly matches.
- The ranking is based on an average of points earned over the last twelve months, and the relative strength of the opposition.
- Each team’s ranking is determined by the total number of points it has earned in its last four years of international matches.
Q. What impact does the FIFA Men’s Football Ranking have on the sport?
A. The FIFA Men's Football Ranking has a major impact on the sport as it is a measure of each nation’s performance over a specific period of time. It is used to determine the seedings for international tournaments and can also influence which teams are invited to compete in tournaments. It also helps determine which teams will be grouped together in qualifying competitions. Additionally, the rankings provide a way for fans to follow their favorite teams and compare their performance to other countries in the sport.