Argentina set to reclaim No. 1 spot in FIFA Rankings after Spain and France slip in friendlies
New Delhi, June 5
As national teams enter the final phase of preparation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Spain and France played friendly matches whose results have paved the way for Argentina to reclaim the top spot in the FIFA rankings.
On Thursday, Spain played their final home fixture before departing for the United States, settling for a disappointing 1-1 draw against Iraq at Estadio Riazor in La Coruna. At the same time, France suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to the Ivory Coast at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, as per the World Soccer Talk website.
As a result, Argentina will reclaim the top spot in the FIFA rankings when the next update is released on Monday. Until now, the top spot has been held by France, which rose to No. 1 during the March FIFA international window after overtaking Spain.
Before that, Luis de la Fuente's side had ended Argentina's reign in July 2025, with the South American champions having led the rankings since their triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Since the FIFA rankings were introduced in 1992, no team has entered a World Cup as the No. 1-ranked side and gone on to win the tournament. In 1994, Germany held the top spot but was beaten to the title by Brazil, while in 1998, Brazil arrived as the top-ranked team only to lose the final to France.
The Zinedine Zidane-led side entered the 2002 World Cup as the top-ranked team, but it was Brazil who emerged as champions. Four years later, Brazil once again arrived as the No. 1-ranked side, only to be beaten to the title by Italy.
In 2010, Brazil retained their position at the top of the FIFA rankings but fell short once more, as Spain went on to win the tournament.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting how friendlies can shake up rankings so much. Spain drawing with Iraq? That's a shocker! But honestly, rankings don't matter much on the pitch. India should focus on our own AFC Asian Cup preparations rather than obsessing over global rankings.
France losing to Ivory Coast? Karma for underestimating African teams! As someone who watches Premier League regularly, I love seeing underdogs rise. But India needs to learn from these matches - our boys struggle against physical teams. Time to rework our grassroots program.
Honestly, FIFA rankings are a joke most of the time. How come Spain and France slip just because of one friendly? 😒 Argentina deserves it though - they've been consistent since 2022. But I'm more excited to see if India can break into top 100 before 2026!
As a neutral born in Delhi but living in UK, this is classic FIFA ranking chaos. Remember when India was ranked 173 in 2015? We've improved, but seeing teams like Iraq draw Spain gives me hope for Asian football. Argentina vs Brazil in the final please! 🏆
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