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SportsSpain dethrone Argentina to top FIFA world rankings
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Spain has reclaimed the number one spot in the FIFA world rankings, replacing Argentina after defeating them 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup final held in New York. The rankings, released on July 20, 2026, reflect the tournament's outcomes: France remains third after losing the third-place play-off to England, who sit fourth. Brazil and Morocco each rose one place to fifth and sixth respectively, while Portugal dropped two spots to seventh after a round-of-16 exit. Belgium moved up to eighth, overtaking the Netherlands in ninth. Co-hosts Mexico returned to the top 10 for the first time since March 2022, climbing to tenth at Germany's expense. Switzerland rose five places to 14th after reaching the quarter-finals, and Norway jumped 12 spots to 19th following their strong performance.
Source report
Source: AFP
Spain's Rodri lifts the trophy as Spain celebrates after winning the World Cup final. | Photo Credit: AP
Newly-crowned world champions Spain have replaced beaten finalists Argentina atop the FIFA rankings, released on Monday (July 20, 2026).
La Roja, who had surrendered the top spot in April, surged back to number one after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final in New York on Sunday.
Top 10 Rankings
- 1st: Spain (▲)
- 2nd: Argentina (▼)
- 3rd: France — beaten 6-4 by England in the third-place play-off
- 4th: England
- 5th: Brazil (▲1)
- 6th: Morocco (▲1)
- 7th: Portugal (▼2) — eliminated in the round of 16 by eventual winners Spain
- 8th: Belgium (▲1)
- 9th: Netherlands (▼1)
- 10th: Mexico (▲4) — return to top 10 for first time since March 2022
Notable Movements
- Germany (12th, ▼2) — knocked out of the World Cup by Paraguay, dropped out of the top 10
- Switzerland (14th, ▲5) — rose following a run to the quarter-finals
- Norway (19th, ▲12) — matched Switzerland's feat of reaching the last eight
Two of the other teams that made an impact on North American soil are among the biggest climbers in the latest rankings.
Source
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Western
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