The latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, released on 19 November 2025, has delivered major shifts and renewed momentum for several national teams across the globe. With 149 international fixtures played since the previous update—including FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers, high-stakes continental clashes and 74 friendlies—the competition for global ranking positions remains fierce.
This month’s update brings new milestones, surprising setbacks and significant climbs, marking one of the most dynamic ranking releases of the year. As the football world prepares for the 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026™—jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States—these rankings carry extra weight for seeding, momentum and competitive confidence.
Spain Remain World No. 1 as Argentina and France Stay in Pursuit
At the top of the rankings, Spain continue their reign as the world’s number-one team, holding firm despite a slight points deduction (1877.18, down 3.58). Their consistent performances across qualifiers maintain their advantage over continental giants.
Top Four Remain Unchanged
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Spain – 1877.18 points
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Argentina – 1873.33 points (+0.90)
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France – 1870 points (+7.29)
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England – 1834.12 points (+9.82)
Remarkably, the gap between Spain, Argentina and France has become razor-thin, setting up a thrilling battle for the No. 1 spot entering 2026.
Brazil Surge Into Fifth After Strong Performances
The headline movement inside the top 10 comes from Brazil, who climb two places to 5th on the back of a solid international window. Their rise pushes Portugal (6th, down 1) and the Netherlands (7th, down 1) both downward.
Brazil’s Updated Points
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1760.46 (+1.61)
This improvement is modest in points but significant in rankings, with Seleção displaying renewed cohesion ahead of the World Cup 2026™ cycle.
Italy Crash Out of the Top 10 After Heavy Defeat
One of the most notable downturns is the fall of Italy, who slip three places to 12th following a surprising 4–1 home defeat to Norway. This result not only impacts their seeding but raises questions about their trajectory approaching 2026.
Repercussions of Italy’s Decline
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Lose top-10 status
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Drop 3 spots and 3.3 ranking points
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Norway now officially qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026™
Italy’s exit from the top tier opens the door for Croatia, who move back into the world’s top 10.
Croatia Reclaim Their Top-10 Position
Capitalizing on Italy’s slip, Croatia climb to 10th place (up 1) after a strong series of performances. Their resilience in major qualifiers continues to solidify their reputation as one of Europe’s most consistent footballing nations.
USA Overtake Mexico as Concacaf’s Top-Ranked Team
In the race for regional supremacy, the United States (14th, up 2) have overtaken co-hosts Mexico (15th, down 1) to become the highest-ranked Concacaf nation. With World Cup hosting duties shared between the USA, Mexico and Canada, this shift brings momentum to the American side as they prepare for home-soil action in 2026.
Uzbekistan’s Historic Return to the Top 50
One of the most celebrated achievements this month is Uzbekistan’s climb into the top 50, rising five places to 50th. This marks their first appearance in the top 50 since October 2016, nearly nine years ago.
Significance of Uzbekistan’s Rise
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Largest top-50 climb this month
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Symbolic milestone in the nation’s football revival
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Boosts their regional standing in Asia
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Reinforces their impressive performances in recent AFC competitions
Uzbekistan share the distinction of biggest rank movement this month with the Philippines (136th), Turkmenistan (137th) and Malta (161st)—each up five places.
Biggest Movers and Fallers of the November 2025 Ranking
📈 Biggest Climb by Points
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Republic of Ireland
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+34.86 points — strongest upward move in terms of total points accumulated.
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📈 Biggest Climb by Ranking Positions
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Malta (up 5)
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Philippines (up 5)
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Turkmenistan (up 5)
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Uzbekistan (up 5)
📉 Biggest Drop by Points
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Denmark
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–24.27 points, the steepest point decline.
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📉 Biggest Drop by Ranks
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El Salvador
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India
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Luxembourg
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All down 6 places each.
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Global Overview: 149 Matches Played Since Last Update
A total of 149 international matches were recorded in the ranking period:
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74 friendlies
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75 competitive matches, mainly World Cup qualifiers across UEFA and Concacaf
Match Participation Highlights
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126 national teams played two matches each
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No new teams were added or removed from the ranking
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Eritrea remain the only inactive, non-ranked team
The upcoming Play-Off Tournament and European Play-Off draw, set for 20 November at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, will determine the final six nations that complete the 48-team World Cup lineup.
Updated Top 10 – FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking (19 November 2025)
| Rank | Team | Points | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 1877.18 | |
| 2 | Argentina | 1873.33 | +0.90 |
| 3 | France | 1870 | +7.29 |
| 4 | England | 1834.12 | +9.82 |
| 5 | Brazil | 1760.46 | ↑ 2 |
| 6 | Portugal | 1760.38 | ↓ 1 |
| 7 | Netherlands | 1756.27 | ↓ 1 |
| 8 | Belgium | 1730.71 | -9.3 |
| 9 | Germany | 1724.15 | ↑ 1 |
| 10 | Croatia | 1716.88 | ↑ 1 |
What These Rankings Mean for FIFA World Cup 2026™
With the World Cup less than a year away, global rankings carry direct implications for:
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Seeding in World Cup groups
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Play-off pathways
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Team confidence and preparation strategies
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Regional power shifts
As UEFA and Concacaf finalize their qualifiers, teams are now fighting not only for a World Cup berth but for better positioning in the global hierarchy.
Conclusion
The 19 November 2025 update of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking reflects a rapidly evolving global football landscape. With Spain holding the lead, Brazil rising fast, the USA overtaking Mexico, and Uzbekistan returning to the top 50 after nearly a decade, the stage is set for an electrifying lead-up to the most inclusive World Cup in history.
The next ranking release promises even more volatility as the final play-offs and preparations intensify ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026™.
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- Daily Olympic is Pakistan’s first sports daily, simultaneously publishing from Narowal and Lahore. We are committed to providing our readers with the latest and most comprehensive sports coverage, from local to international events.
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