Updated B/R Men's International Football Power Rankings for World Cup 2026

The penultimate international break of 2025 may have robbed us all of club football action, but it at least made the 2026 World Cup picture a little clearer.

England, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde punched their tickets for the showpiece event in North America in October, with the latter set to make its first appearance at the global football tournament. 

That brings the confirmed party guests up to 28 nations, with another set of fixtures in November expected to yield a few more RSVPs.

While FIFA's official world rankings provide a useful gauge of where each country stands in the international game, it doesn't exactly account for nuance. 

That's where we come in. Read on for the latest power ranking of the top 20 men's international football teams. 

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Issouf SANOGO / AFP

20. Ivory Coast

FIFA ranking: 44

B/R September ranking: New entry

After dropping out of B/R's international power ranking in September, having landed in 20th in March's edition, the Ivory Coast is back.

While fellow World Cup qualifiers from Africa might be higher in FIFA's ranking—Algeria (38th), Egypt (35th), Senegal (18th)—the Elephants are the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, which gives them an edge in this context. 

Ivory Coast just pipped Gabon to the top of qualifying Group F courtesy of a 7-0 win over Seychelles and a 3-0 victory against Kenya in October. 

With that, the Elephants return to the World Cup after last appearing in 2014. In North America, they will be hoping to progress from the group stages for the first time in their history. 

19. Ecuador

FIFA ranking: 24

B/R September ranking: 16

After landing as high as 11th in B/R's world football rankings in March, Ecuador has been gradually slipping away.

That high spot was as a result of incredible form in CONMEBOL qualifying, in which La Tri finished second. 

While Ecuador can be proud of that placement, it's hard to shake the feeling that it was helped by the underperformance of other South American nations.

In fact, while La Tri are undefeated in their last seven games, they have only won one, albeit an impressive 1-0 victory over Argentina. 

Momentum seems to be flagging a bit, and that's reflected in their drop in power ranking.

18. USA

FIFA ranking: 16

B/R September ranking: 18

In 10 games since the start of the Gold Cup on June 15, the United States has lost just two matches.

That might be an overly optimistic way of looking at the team's run of results, but it still reads well, and it includes games played in a tournament setting. 

The Stars and Stripes finished the October break with a draw against Ecuador and a victory against Australia, two teams that will also be playing in next summer's tournament. 

With Ecuador finishing second in CONMEBOL qualification ahead of Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia, that 1-1 stalemate doesn't look as problematic either.

It's not exactly Earth-shaking form, but the Stars and Stripes are starting to look solid while approaching their co-hosting duties.

17. Japan

FIFA ranking: 19

B/R September ranking: 19

Japan has been disappointing since sealing World Cup qualification in March, with just two wins in six matches from June onwards.

However, on Tuesday, the Samurai Blue came back from 2-0 down to secure a 3-2 friendly win over Brazil.

Of course, it's easy to point to that result coming in an essentially meaningless game, but it demonstrates the team's resilience, and Brazil still put out a strong XI. 

For Japan, it's now about fine-tuning ahead of the World Cup in June, and more results like the one against the Seleçao Canarinho will set it up nicely for North America. 

16. Uruguay

FIFA ranking: 15

B/R September ranking: 15

Uruguay has demonstrated a notable level of consistency in the last two international breaks, going undefeated in four games and winning three.

For a squad that was criticized for being frustrating in September's B/R rankings, that's a notable improvement.

However, with teams surrounding Uruguay performing at a similar level in the last few months, and the level of competition it faced not as strong—Peru (48th), Chile (57th), Dominican Republic (142nd), and Uzbekistan (54th)—it falls a place to 16th.

Friendly matches are an opportunity to rotate and test tactics, so underperforming is to be expected. Still, if La Celeste wants to establish a dark horse reputation for themselves heading into the tournament, like they have in years past, they will need some better results.

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15. Norway

FIFA ranking: 31

B/R September ranking: 17

Norway stormed into September's B/R power rankings, and it looks intent on staying there on the way to its first World Cup appearance since 1998.

Largely thanks to the most deadly striker on the planet, Erling Haaland, the Scandinavians are at the top of qualifying Group I with a staggering goal haul of 29, seven more than the next top-scoring team, the Netherlands. The 25-year-old is responsible for 41 percent of them. 

As long as Haaland is around, Norway is a potent threat. Despite having the lowest FIFA ranking of any team listed here, they should not be underestimated. Rather, Norway should be feared. 

However, that reliance on Haaland was demonstrated in his absence on Tuesday. Without the Manchester City striker, Norway could only manage a 1-1 draw with New Zealand. 

Manager Ståle Solbakken will be frantically placing an order for bubble wrap. 

14. Belgium

FIFA ranking: 8

B/R September ranking: 13

Manager Rudi Garcia has brought a spark back to the Belgian men's national team. 

The Frenchman has guided the Red Devils to five wins in eight matches in charge, and they sit on top of World Cup qualifying Group J with a game in hand over North Macedonia.

Now, it looks certain Belgium will be heading to the World Cup, and the squad will be full of confidence after scoring 20 in the last five games

Despite North Macedonia playing at a standard well above their 63rd-place FIFA world ranking, the fact that the Red Devils couldn't crack them over two qualifying games—including a 0-0 draw in October—will be a mild concern. 

13. Italy

FIFA Ranking: 10

B/R September Ranking: 14

With two matches to go, Italy is still trailing Norway in qualification Group I. That means a trip through the playoffs is the most likely scenario to seal their spot in the global soccer showcase.

The Azzurri will surely fancy their chances should it come to that, but it's an extra layer of jeopardy they would undoubtedly rather not have to deal with. 

Italy has not qualified for a World Cup since the 2014 edition in Brazil, and being on the outside looking in once again will surely be too much to bear for the nation's football-mad fans.

Thankfully, Italy is on a good run of form, picking up five consecutive wins and scoring 18 in the process.

12. Mexico

FIFA ranking: 14

B/R September ranking: 10

Mexico is having a serious Gold Cup hangover. No wins in four games since lifting the trophy is a hugely disappointing run, with their co-hosting duties approaching.

Among those results was a crushing 4-0 home loss to Colombia in October. While the friendly fixture provided an opportunity to test potential options before the nation opens its doors in June, the nature of the defeat will dampen what would otherwise be jubilant preparations. 

While still the most promising among the host nations in terms of possible success, Mexico needs to turn things around with a little over six months to go.

11. Colombia

FIFA ranking: 13

B/R September ranking: 11

After no wins in six from November 2024 to the end of August 2025, some alarm bells were sounding for Colombia.

However, World Cup qualification was sealed in September, and Los Cafeteros have now won three of their last four while scoring 13 in the process.

James Rodriguez is still performing international miracles at the age of 34, scoring once and providing four assists in those fixtures. 

Meanwhile, Luis Diaz's hot start to life with Bayern Munich will give the South Americans even more hope for a long stay in the neighboring northern continent.

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Damjan Zibert /Soccrates/Getty Images

10. Croatia

FIFA ranking: 9 

B/R September ranking: 12

Croatia keeps plugging away, picking up decent results to keep them top of UEFA qualification Group L.

An away draw with Czechia in their most difficult remaining game of the qualifying stage would have been greeted positively, although the bafflingly brilliant form of the Faroe Islands will at least give the Vatreni cause for concern in their penultimate qualifying fixture.

While only three points separate Croatia from Czechia in second, the former has a game in hand, which at least provides some margin for error on the road to the World Cup.

9. Brazil

FIFA ranking: 6

B/R September ranking: 6

Consistency is an increasing concern for Brazil. Granted, that's difficult to achieve on the international stage, given issues with establishing chemistry and the difficulty of squeezing a raft of talent into XI spots.

However, for a team of Brazil's enviable selection options and a manager of Carlo Ancelotti's caliber, things don't look so promising ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

In six games in charge, the Italian has only managed to guide the Seleçao Canarinho to three wins. That includes a 1-0 loss to 77th-ranked Bolivia and a 3-2 collapse against Japan when they were 2-0 up.

There's a lot of work to do between now and June if Brazil wants to reestablish its previously feared reputation.

8. Morocco

FIFA ranking: 11

B/R September ranking: 9

By rights, Morocco should be much higher in the international power rankings.

Outside of the African Nations Championship—a tournament that European-based players don't participate in—the Atlas Lions have lost just once since January 2024.

However, the strength of opponents has to be factored in, with Morocco not often tested by low-ranked African nations. 

That's still a remarkable streak, though, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. Victories breed victories, after all. 

With Achraf Hakimi in the form of his life, fresh off being ranked the sixth-best player in the world at the 2025 Ballon d'Or awards, he'll be a driving force as captain in North America.

7. Germany

FIFA ranking: 12

B/R September ranking: 8 

After a woeful run of form that saw Germany go winless in four matches from late March to early September (including three defeats), things are looking up for the Die Nationalelf.

With World Cup qualification looking in peril after a shocking opening-game loss to Slovakia, Germany has rattled off three consecutive wins to top Group A on goal difference.

That sets them up nicely heading into November's crucial qualifying games, where Slovakia will be waiting in the final, likely decisive matchup.

Still, just eight goals scored in four qualifying games will be troubling, especially since half of those came in a 4-0 victory over 96th ranked Luxembourg.

6. Netherlands

FIFA ranking: 7

B/R September ranking: 7

The Netherlands just loves scoring goals.

In the last three games, the Oranje have smashed in 11, conceding just two in the process. Take it back a little further, and the Netherlands has 20 goals in its last five games, with only three conceded. In October, the Dutch defense didn't surrender a goal.

For a nation that always seems to have an enviable collection of stars, the Netherlands has never won a World Cup final, despite reaching the tournament's climactic game three times.

With manager Ronald Koeman finding the secret to international scoring success while maintaining a stingy back line, the Oranje might again manage a deep tournament run.

5. France

Franck FIFE / AFP

FIFA ranking: 2

B/R September ranking: 4

France had the chance to seal 2026 World Cup qualification with a win on Monday.

While Ukraine ensured that wouldn't be possible after notching a 2-1 victory over Azerbaijan, France didn't hold up its end of the bargain, either.

Les Bleus stumbled to a 2-2 draw against world No. 74 Iceland, meaning they will have to wait until November to find out if they should buy some plane tickets to North America. 

A 3-0 win over Azerbaijan at least made October's international slate a little less concerning. However, manager Didier Deschamps might come under scrutiny for his tactics and team selection in the subsequent stalemate, when a win could have eased the pressure on his side significantly.

4. Portugal

Hugo Amaral/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

FIFA ranking: 5

B/R September ranking: 3

Portugal has been living a little dangerously, needing a late goal in two of its last three World Cup qualifying games to seal victory and conceding a late equalizer on Tuesday. 

If not for Dominik Szoboszlai's strike, A Seleçao would have confirmed their spot in the 2026 World Cup. However, they will now have to wait until November.

In addition to that disappointment, Portugal slips in the B/R power rankings because its results simply aren't convincing at the moment. 

While Cristiano Ronaldo found the goal (and then another) that took him to the top of the all-time World Cup qualifying top scorer list, his remarkable exploits are not enough on their own for Portugal to rely on.

3. Argentina

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

FIFA ranking: 3

B/R September ranking: 2

After dropping from first to second in September's B/R power ranking, Argentina's descent continues as it lands in third. 

Although qualification for the World Cup had already been secured at that point, it succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Ecuador in September. The 1-0 victory over 49th-ranked Venezuela that followed in October wasn't entirely convincing.

La Albiceleste did secure a 6-0 win against Puerto Rico on Tuesday, but beating the 155th-ranked team isn't much to be pleased about. 

Following a disappointing defeat in Ecuador and with little else to boast about from their recent outings, Argentina has slipped after more impressive results from another nation. 

2. England

Sebastian Frej/Getty Images

FIFA ranking: 4

B/R September ranking: 5

England has steamed into second with the Thomas Tuchel train hitting full speed. 

A 3-0 friendly victory over Wales without Harry Kane was a welcome result for U.K. bragging rights, but the 5-0 win over Latvia was significantly more important.

With that, the Three Lions will have the opportunity to end 60 years of hurt in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with World Cup 2026 qualification sealed.

England is the only European nation to confirm a berth in the competition so far, doing so with six wins from six in Group K and no goals conceded.

Tuchel's tenure started with a concerning lack of goals, but the German has well and truly opened the attacking floodgates. That's 13 goals in the last three games, with Kane providing just three of them. 

For a team that has been so reliant on its talismanic No. 9 for the better part of a decade, that's a really promising sign. 

Tuchel has been ruthless in his selection, relying on players who are showing their best form rather than counting on reputation, and it's paying off.

1. Spain

Luciano Lima/Getty Images

FIFA ranking: 1

B/R September ranking: 1

Spain simply looks unshakable at the top of B/R's international football rankings.

FIFA apparently agrees, having put the country at the summit of its own ranking list in September's update. 

If you ignore the penalty-shootout loss to Portugal in the Nations League final, La Furia Roja haven't been defeated since a March 2024 friendly against Colombia, in which usual starters were rested.

In October, Spain brushed aside Georgia and put four past Bulgaria with no reply, putting it comfortably atop Group E and within touching distance of automatic World Cup qualification. 

With inconsistencies from many of the typically favored nations, Spain must be considered the favorite when the action starts in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.