The latest update to the FIFA Men’s World Ranking for November has been officially released, reflecting the outcomes of recent international fixtures, particularly the concluded FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification rounds across various continents. This comprehensive update highlights a period of consolidation for some elite national teams, while others have experienced notable shifts in their positions, reshaping the global football hierarchy.
Spain has impressively maintained its stronghold at the summit of the global football rankings for a remarkable three consecutive months. Their consistent high-level performances have cemented their top position since they first overtook Argentina in August. As a dominant European force and current UEFA Nations League champions, Spain continues to demonstrate why they are considered among the world’s top footballing nations. The rest of the top four also held their ground; Argentina remained firmly at number two, followed by France at number three, and England securing the fourth spot. These nations have successfully defended their rankings through a series of victories in recent weeks, showcasing remarkable stability at the very peak of international football, a trend that was also observed in the October rankings.
Further down the rankings, Brazil has made a significant upward movement, climbing two places to secure the fifth position. This surge in form sees the five-time World Cup champions from South America showcasing renewed strength and impressive performances as the year approaches its conclusion. Their ascent has, in turn, impacted Portugal, pushing them down to sixth place, and the Netherlands, who now sit at seventh. Both Portugal and the Netherlands have experienced mixed results in their last five matches, including a blend of wins, losses, and draws, which likely contributed to their slight decline in the global standings.
Meanwhile, Italy, a traditionally strong European contender, has experienced a setback in its standing. After a recent defeat which saw them enter the playoffs for the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers, their ranking dropped two places from tenth to twelfth. Capitalizing on this, Croatia, a team that has already secured its spot in the next World Cup, moved up to claim the tenth position, replacing Italy in the coveted top ten.
In North America, co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the United States, saw a positive shift, climbing to fourteenth place. This advancement meant their fellow co-hosts, Mexico, dropped one spot to fifteenth. Both teams represent the strongest footballing nations within the CONCACAF region, and their movements reflect the ongoing competitive landscape in their confederation.
Across other continents, several nations also marked improvements. African teams Nigeria and Tunisia both moved up in the rankings, with Nigeria reaching thirty-eighth place and Tunisia ascending to fortieth. From Central Asia, Uzbekistan achieved a notable milestone, re-entering the top fifty for the first time since 2016, a testament to their improving international performances and development.
The November update also highlighted some of the biggest climbers outside the top echelons. The Philippines recorded the most significant jump, moving up an impressive five places to settle at 136th. Turkmenistan also advanced to 137th, while Malta saw a positive increase in its ranking to 161st, reflecting their recent efforts on the international stage.
Finally, Kosovo achieved a historic milestone, reaching their highest-ever ranking at eighty. This significant accomplishment reflects their strong performances during the European World Cup qualifiers, where they established a reputation as a challenging opponent, making it difficult for even stronger teams in their group to secure victories against them.
