This early summer has been rich in international competitions between Euro 2024 and the Copa América. Two major tournaments that saw the coronation of Spain on the European continent and Argentina on American soil respectively. Lionel Messi and his team, who already dominated the FIFA rankings in recent months, have consolidated their status as the best footballing nation of the moment thanks to this new continental coronation.
The Albiceleste holds first place ahead of France. Didier Deschamps’ team, very disappointing at the Euro, retains its second place thanks to its place as semi-finalist of the competition. Spain, who had also eliminated the French team in the semi-finals, finally won the competition and made a spectacular comeback with a gain of 5 places which allows it to complete the podium. Unlucky finalist in Germany, England gains a place and is placed 4th in the FIFA ranking and passes Brazil, who had a calamitous Copa América.
Belgium sinks, Venezuela and Colombia soar
The most spectacular fall in this top 10 goes to Belgium, which continues its downward slide. First in the FIFA rankings a few years ago, our neighbours across the Quiévrain are no longer doing so, as evidenced by this new competition failed by Romelu Lukaku and his team. Note the two-ranked fall of Portugal, which falls to 8th position, and the jump of Colombia to 9th place thanks to its formidable Copa América and its place in the final under the impetus of a rediscovered James Rodriguez.
For the rest of the ranking, we will note the exit from the top 10 of Croatia and the fall of two positions of Morocco, quite logical since the Atlas Lions did not compete this summer. Finally, it is Venezuela which shows the best progression in the ranking with a jump of 17 places thanks to its place in the quarter-finals of the Copa América. As for the biggest fall of the month, it is to be credited to the Czech Republic which loses 14 places and falls to 47th place just behind Algeria.
The top 15 of the FIFA ranking as of July 18, 2024 (in parentheses, evolution of the ranking compared to the previous month)
1 – Argentina: 1901.48 pts (-)
2 – France: 1854.91 pts (-)
3 – Spain: 1835.67 pts (+5)
4 – England: 1812.26 pts (+1)
5 – Brazil: 1785.61 pts (-1)
6 – Belgium: 1772.44 pts (-3)
7 – Netherlands: 1758.51 pts (-)
8 – Portugal: 1741.43 pts (-2)
9 – Colombia: 1727.32 pts (+3)
10 – Italy: 1714.29 pts (-)
11 – Uruguay: 1713.15 (+3)
12 – Croatia: 1701.31 (-3)
13 – Germany: 1686.02 (+3)
14 – Morocco: 1669.44 (-2)
15 – Switzerland: 1654.10 (+4)
