Morocco advances to sixth place in FIFA rankings; Spain returns to the top

Morocco climbed to sixth place in the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) rankings on Monday, achieving its highest-ever jump, while Spain, the World Cup winners, returned to the top of the men’s rankings, and runners-up Argentina slipped to second place.

Spain, managed by Luis de la Fuente, defeated 2022 World Cup champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time on Sunday, reclaiming the top spot in the rankings for the first time since January.

According to Reuters Sport, France and England remained in third and fourth place, respectively, despite Thomas Tuchel’s side defeating France to claim the bronze medal.

Brazil moved up to fifth place, while Morocco advanced to sixth, marking its highest position ever. Portugal dropped two places to seventh after exiting in the Round of 16 at the World Cup. Belgium rose to eighth, swapping positions with the Netherlands, which fell to ninth.

Mexico also jumped four places to enter the top ten, while Norway recorded the biggest leap among national teams, surging 12 spots to 19th after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals.

Germany fell out of the top ten, dropping to 12th, one place above Croatia. Italy, which failed to qualify for the World Cup, slipped to 15th.

Tunisia experienced the steepest decline, falling 12 places to 57th, while Egypt rose five spots to 24th, and Paraguay advanced seven places to 34th, following both teams’ progress to the World Cup Round of 16.

Cape Verde, which reached the Round of 32, climbed three places to 64th, edging out Ghana, which rose eight places.