World Cup 2026: FIFA World Rankings for qualified teams

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Teams from around the world are looking to round into form with the 2026 FIFA World Cup just months away.

From June 11 to July 19, 48 of the world's best soccer teams will compete to win the sport's most prestigious tournament.

FIFA Men's World Ranking

SEVILLE, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 18: Dani Olmo of Spain scores his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Spain and Türkiye at Estadio de La Cartuja on November 18, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago - UEFA/UEF …

FIFA ranks teams using a points system based on certain international matches.

The most recent rankings were released on November 19.  They will be updated on December 18.

42 teams have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 33 of them are ranked in the Top 50.

Spain has topped the rankings since overtaking Argentina in September 2025.

Top 50

*Eliminated from 2026 World Cup qualification

^Competing to qualify for spot in 2026 World Cup

  1. Spain
  2. Argentina
  3. France
  4. England
  5. Brazil
  6. Portugal
  7. Netherlands
  8. Belgium
  9. Germany
  10. Croatia
  11. Morocco
  12. Italy^
  13. Colombia
  14. USA
  15. Mexico
  16. Uruguay
  17. Switzerland
  18. Japan
  19. Senegal
  20. Iran
  21. Denmark^
  22. South Korea
  23. Ecuador
  24. Austria
  25. Turkey^
  26. Australia
  27. Canada
  28. Ukraine^
  29. Norway
  30. Panama
  31. Poland^
  32. Wales^
  33. Russia*
  34. Egypt
  35. Algeria
  36. Scotland
  37. Serbia*
  38. Nigeria*
  39. Paraguay
  40. Tunisia
  41. Hungary
  42. Ivory Coast
  43. Sweden^
  44. Czechia^
  45. Slovakia^
  46. Greece*
  47. Romania^
  48. Venezuela*
  49. Costa Rica*
  50. Uzbekistan

Ranking of World Cup Qualifiers Outside Top 50

  • Qatar (51)
  • Saudi Arabia (60)
  • South Africa (61)
  • Jordan (66)
  • Cabo Verde (68)
  • Ghana (72)
  • Curaçao (82)
  • Haiti (84)
  • New Zealand (86)

European Playoff

(Courtesy: UEFA)

Four of the remaining six spots in the World Cup will be filled by nations from the European playoffs.

Semi-final games will be held on March 26, 2026.

Winners of those games will advance to the finals on March 31, 2026.

Semifinals

Path A

  • Italy vs. Northern Ireland
  • Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Path B

  • Ukraine vs. Sweden
  • Poland vs. Albania

Path C

  • Turkey vs. Romania
  • Slovakia vs. Kosovo

Path D

  • Denmark vs. North Macedonia
  • Czechia vs. Republic of Ireland

Finals

Path A

  • Winner of Wales-Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Winner of Italy-Northern Ireland

Path B

  • Winner of Ukraine-Sweden vs. Winner of Poland-Albania

Path C

  • Winner of Slovakia-Kosovo vs. Winner of Turkey-Romania

Path D

  • Winner of Czechia-Republic of Ireland vs. Winner of Denmark-North Macedonia

2026 World Cup Intercontinental Playoffs

The final two spots in the World Cup will be determined in the Intercontinental Playoffs.

The two semi-final games will be held on March 26.

The winner of those games will move on to play in the finals on March 31.

All games will be staged in Mexico, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.

Semifinals

Path A

  • New Caledonia vs. Jamaica

Path B

  • Bolivia vs. Suriname

Finals

Path A

  • DR Congo vs. Winner of New Caledonia-Jamaica

Path B

  • Iraq vs. Winner of Bolivia-Suriname

The Source: Information in this article comes from FIFA and UEFA.

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