The 2026 World Cup qualifiers delivered their verdict on Tuesday evening in the Europe zone. The twelve qualifiers and the sixteen play-offs, who will compete for four places next March, are now known. Unsurprisingly, all the big names in the football world will be there, with only Italy missing for the moment after finishing second in their group behind Norway.
An outcome which is not without consequences for the Nazionale in the FIFA rankings, updated on Wednesday. Slapped by Erling Haaland’s teammates (1-4), the Italians lose three places and fall out of the world Top 10. They are overtaken by Germany, Croatia and Morocco, the best African nation, which is eleventh. But Gennaro Gattuso’s players are not the only ones to lose a little prestige.
Portugal ejected from Top 5 in FIFA rankings
Portugal is in fact the other big loser from this update. Forced to wait until the very last day of qualifying to punch their ticket, with a resounding victory against Armenia (9-1), the Seleçao paid a high price for their defeat in Ireland (0-2) last Thursday. In Dublin, the partners of a Cristiano Ronaldo who was sent off during this match lost 20.23 points, which took them out of the Top 5.
A situation from which Brazil benefits, which climbs two ranks by doubling both Portugal and the Netherlands. In the highest levels of the FIFA rankings, nothing is changing: Spain will finish the year at the top with 1883.80 points, ahead of Argentina (1873.32), France (1870.00) and England (1834.12). The good news for the Blues is that they have reduced the gap on Lionel Messi’s Albiceleste.
The Top 10 of the FIFA rankings
1. Spain – 1883.80 points
2. Argentina – 1873.32 points
3. France – 1870.00 points
4. England – 1834.12 points
5. Brazil – 1762.83 points (+2)
6. Portugal – 1760.38 points (-1)
7. Netherlands – 1756.27 points (-1)
8. Belgium – 1730.02 points
9. Germany – 1724.15 points (+1)
10. Croatia – 1716.88 points (+1)
