Spain extend FIFA ranking lead; Portugal climb to fifth after Nations League run
Synopsis
Spain have stretched their record men's international unbeaten run to 42 matches and pulled further clear of Argentina at the top of the FIFA rankings. The biggest mover in the top ten is Portugal, who climbed to fifth under new coach Jorge Jesus after sweeping all four Nations League games — knocking Brazil down to sixth in the process.
Key Takeaways
1 in the FIFA rankings with a record 42-match unbeaten run under coach Luis de la Fuente .
Portugal climbed two places to fifth , pushing Brazil and Morocco to sixth and seventh .
Switzerland rose to 12th after four wins, including three by 3-0 , leapfrogging Germany (13th) and Croatia (14th).
Mali and South Africa each jumped six spots to 47th and 48th ; Africa now has 10 nations in the top 50.
338 international matches have been played since the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended on 19 July , feeding the latest update.
Spain have widened their advantage over second-placed Argentina in the latest FIFA world rankings, released on 8 October 2026, while Portugal and Switzerland each rose two places to fifth and 12th respectively. The updated standings follow a flurry of UEFA Nations League fixtures and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with 338 international matches played since the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded on 19 July.
Spain's Record Run Continues
Spain first displaced Argentina at the summit in July 2026, powered by their 1-0 extra-time victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Coach Luis de la Fuente's side — with Lamine Yamal in devastating form — have since won all four of their matches, stretching men's international football's record unbeaten run to 42 games. The gap between Spain and the chasing pack has grown with each successive ranking cycle.
Portugal and Brazil Swap Positions
The top-four order of Spain, Argentina, France, and England remains unchanged, but Portugal's surge under new head coach Jorge Jesus has shaken up the rest of the top ten. Portugal won all four of their recent UEFA Nations League outings, including away victories against Norway and Denmark, to climb to fifth. As a result, Brazil and Morocco were pushed down to sixth and seventh respectively.
Switzerland Leapfrog Germany and Croatia
Switzerland, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, assembled four victories — three of them by a 3-0 scoreline — to jump to 12th. Forwards Zeki Amdouni and Dan Ndoye were the standout performers for coach Murat Yakin's squad. The Swiss rise came at the expense of Germany and Croatia, who slipped to 13th and 14th respectively.
Notable Movers Across the Globe
Australia climbed two spots to 26th, while Canada rose three to 27th. Côte d'Ivoire moved up two places to 29th, and Sweden gained three to sit at 34th. Greece were among the standout movers, jumping five places to 41st after coach Ivan Jovanovic's side beat Germany 1-0 away and held the Netherlands at home in Nations League A.
Mali and South Africa each soared six spots to 47th and 48th. Mali's rise was inspired by Dorgeles Nene and teenage revelation Ange Martial Tia as coach Anthony da Silva's Eagles defeated Cabo Verde and Liberia, and drew against Morocco. South Africa's Bafana Bafana beat Guinea and Eritrea before goalkeeper Sipho Chaine starred in a 1-0 win in Egypt. The continent now boasts 10 nations in the global top 50.
What the Rankings Reflect
The updated ladder captures the post-World Cup momentum shifts across confederations, with Nations League campaigns serving as the primary differentiator. Notably, this is the first full ranking cycle to reflect the new coaching tenures of both Jorge Jesus at Portugal and Ivan Jovanovic at Greece — both of whom have delivered immediate upward trajectory. The next ranking update will factor in the concluding rounds of the Nations League group stage, making further reshuffling likely in the top ten.
Point of View
Including away results against Norway and Denmark, suggests a tactical and motivational reset that Brazil and Morocco will need to answer. Greece's stunning 1-0 defeat of Germany away is the data point that mainstream coverage will underplay, but it signals a genuine upward trajectory for a nation long seen as a mid-tier European side. Africa's 10 nations in the top 50 is a quiet milestone worth marking — and one that strengthens the continent's case ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations cycle.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which team tops the FIFA world rankings in October 2026?
Spain top the FIFA world rankings as of 8 October 2026, having first displaced Argentina in July after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup final 1-0 in extra time. They have since extended their unbeaten run to a record 42 matches.
Where do Portugal rank in the latest FIFA rankings?
Portugal climbed two places to fifth in the October 2026 FIFA rankings, their best recent position, after winning all four of their UEFA Nations League matches under new coach Jorge Jesus, including away wins against Norway and Denmark.
How far did Brazil fall in the new FIFA rankings?
Brazil dropped one place to sixth following Portugal's rise to fifth. Morocco also slipped one spot to seventh as a result of the reshuffling in the upper half of the top ten.
Which nations made the biggest gains in the October 2026 FIFA rankings?
Mali and South Africa each rose six places, to 47th and 48th respectively, among the largest single-cycle jumps. Greece moved up five spots to 41st after beating Germany away and drawing with the Netherlands in Nations League A.
How many matches have been counted since the 2026 World Cup?
A total of 338 international matches have been played since the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded on 19 July, including UEFA and CONCACAF Nations League fixtures and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, forming the basis of the latest ranking update.
