Argentina top final FIFA rankings before 2026 World Cup; Portugal fifth
The final FIFA rankings before the 2026 World Cup were published on June 11, with Lionel Messi's Argentina reclaiming top spot. Portugal sit fifth as the tournament gets under way.
FIFA published its final rankings update on June 11 — hours before the 2026 World Cup got under way — and Lionel Messi's Argentina sit top of the table. The update, which reflected results from the pre-tournament international window, confirmed Argentina on 1,877.27 points. Portugal, despite recent friendly wins, remained fifth on 1,767.85 points. The timing and contents of the ranking are notable because they represent the last official list released before the tournament's results begin to reshape the global order.
What the June 11 FIFA update shows
The June 11 listing placed Argentina back at No. 1 after a run of positive pre-tournament results that included victories over Honduras and a 3-0 win against Iceland. Those results were credited in the latest update and were enough to lift the Albiceleste ahead of Europe’s top nations. Spain and France, meanwhile, slipped slightly after mixed results in the friendly window: Spain’s 1-1 draw with Iraq and France’s 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast were cited as factors in their downward movement.
- Argentina — 1877.27 points (No. 1)
- Spain — 1874.71 points (No. 2)
- France — 1870.70 points (No. 3)
- England — 1828.02 points (No. 4)
- Portugal — 1767.85 points (No. 5)
- Brazil — 1765.86 points (No. 6)
- Morocco — 1755.10 points (No. 7)
- Netherlands — 1753.57 points (No. 8)
- Belgium — 1742.24 points (No. 9)
- Germany — 1735.77 points (No. 10)
Why it matters
These rankings provide a snapshot of national-team form immediately before the World Cup kicks off. While tournament results will quickly supersede this list, the June 11 update matters for narrative and perception: it confirms Argentina entering the competition as the top-ranked side, highlights Spain and France’s drop after surprising friendly results, and shows Portugal maintaining a top-five position following two wins in the pre-tournament window.
How key teams moved in the pre-tournament window
Argentina’s return to No. 1 was driven by back-to-back victories in the final friendlies — a win over Honduras followed by a 3-0 result against Iceland — which collectively nudged their points total to 1,877.27. Spain and France each experienced setbacks in the same window: Spain’s 1-1 draw with Iraq and France’s 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast were specifically called out as contributors to their slide from the top positions they had occupied among Europe’s sides earlier in the year.
Portugal’s position was less volatile. The sources note Portugal had 1,763.83 points after the March international break and that consecutive 2-1 victories over Chile and Nigeria raised that total to 1,767.85, leaving them in fifth place in the global standings for the final pre-tournament update.
Tournament context and immediate results
FIFA published the update on June 11, ahead of the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa. That opening game finished 2-0 to Mexico. Match listings in the supplied data also show Brazil scheduled to play Morocco on June 13 and include an interim set of group standings with Mexico top, followed by South Korea, Czechia and South Africa in that order.
- FIFA ranking update published June 11, 2026.
- Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the opening game (match_data).
- Next official rankings update scheduled for July 19, the day the tournament concludes.
- Portugal rose from 1,763.83 to 1,767.85 after wins over Chile and Nigeria.
What happens next
FIFA’s next scheduled ranking release is July 19 — 38 days after the World Cup began and the day of the final at MetLife Stadium — meaning the tournament itself will immediately inform the next global order. The June 11 listing therefore represents the last formal pre-tournament benchmark: teams will enter the competition carrying those points and positions, but the final standings will depend on results on the field over the coming weeks.
For now, Argentina lead the way into the 2026 World Cup, Spain and France have dropped slightly after surprising friendly results, and Portugal remain in the top five after steady pre-tournament wins. The standings will change quickly as the World Cup progresses and FIFA tallies the competition’s outcomes for the July 19 update.
Frequently asked questions
Who tops the final FIFA rankings before the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina are top of the final pre-World Cup FIFA rankings, on 1,877.27 points in the June 11 update.
Where does Portugal sit in the final pre-tournament rankings?
Portugal are fifth in the June 11 FIFA rankings, on 1,767.85 points after consecutive 2-1 wins over Chile and Nigeria.
When was the last FIFA ranking published before the World Cup and when is the next update?
The final pre-tournament update was published on June 11, 2026; the next official FIFA ranking release is scheduled for July 19, 2026.
Did the World Cup opening match affect the June 11 rankings?
No. The June 11 rankings were published ahead of the opening match; Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in that game, and FIFA will reflect tournament results in the July 19 update.