Spain have climbed back to the summit of the FIFA world rankings for the first time in over a decade, following their triumph at Euro 2024. The achievement marks their return to the top of global football after 11 years, showcasing their resurgence as a dominant force in international soccer.
In the latest FIFA update released on Thursday, France moved up to second place, overtaking Argentina, who dropped to third after a shock 1-0 defeat to Ecuador in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The reigning world champions, once seen as untouchable, now find themselves under pressure to maintain form.
Elsewhere in the rankings, Portugal, winners of the Nations League, rose to fifth, solidifying their reputation as one of Europe’s most consistent performers. England remained steady in fourth, while traditional giants Brazil were placed sixth. The Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, and Italy rounded off the top ten.
A major talking point, however, was the decline of Germany, who slipped outside the top 10 for the first time in almost a year. Their recent loss to Slovakia proved costly, as Slovakia themselves emerged as the biggest climbers in the rankings, jumping an impressive 10 places to 42nd.
Current FIFA Top 10 Rankings:
- Spain
- France
- Argentina
- England
- Portugal
- Brazil
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Italy
Spain’s resurgence comes as they prepare for upcoming World Cup qualifiers with renewed confidence. Having struggled in recent years after their golden era (2008–2012), their return to the top highlights the progress of a new generation of players determined to write their own history.
