Argentina enters the FIFA World Cup 2026 ranked No. 1 in the world; New Zealand sits lowest at No. 85.
Here’s where all 48 qualified teams stand in the official FIFA World Ranking, from highest to lowest.
How the Ranking Works
The FIFA World Ranking scores every national team on its match results. Win, and you gain points; lose, and you drop.
Beating a strong team is worth more than beating a weak one. FIFA refreshes the list several times a year — the version here was released on 11 June 2026, the day the tournament kicked off.
Three things move a team up or down:
- The result — win, draw or loss
- Opponent strength — beating a top side earns more points
- Match importance — World Cup games count far more than friendlies
The Lowest-Ranked Team
New Zealand is the lowest-ranked team at the World Cup, at No. 85. The All Whites qualified as Oceania’s sole representative.
If they reach the knockout stage, they would become the lowest-ranked team ever to do so — beating Russia’s No. 70 mark from 2018.
Just above them sit two of the tournament’s debutants: Haiti (No. 83), back for the first time since 1974, and Curaçao (No. 82), playing its first-ever World Cup.
The Highest-Ranked Team
Argentina is the highest-ranked team at the tournament, sitting No. 1 in the world. The reigning champions, who first topped the ranking in April 2023, reclaimed the No. 1 spot just before the tournament kicked off.
Spain, France, England and Portugal round out the current top five — all serious contenders to lift the trophy. Brazil follows in sixth.
A high ranking shapes the draw: top teams are seeded, which usually means an easier route through the group stage.
The Full Ranking: All 48 Teams
Here is every qualified team in order of its FIFA World Ranking, from highest to lowest, as of 11 June 2026. Host nations are marked.
| World Rank | Team | Confederation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | CONMEBOL |
| 2 | Spain | UEFA |
| 3 | France | UEFA |
| 4 | England | UEFA |
| 5 | Portugal | UEFA |
| 6 | Brazil | CONMEBOL |
| 7 | Morocco | CAF |
| 8 | Netherlands | UEFA |
| 9 | Belgium | UEFA |
| 10 | Germany | UEFA |
| 11 | Croatia | UEFA |
| 13 | Colombia | CONMEBOL |
| 14 | Mexico (host) | CONCACAF |
| 15 | Senegal | CAF |
| 16 | Uruguay | CONMEBOL |
| 17 | United States (host) | CONCACAF |
| 18 | Japan | AFC |
| 19 | Switzerland | UEFA |
| 20 | Iran | AFC |
| 22 | Türkiye | UEFA |
| 23 | Ecuador | CONMEBOL |
| 24 | Austria | UEFA |
| 25 | South Korea | AFC |
| 27 | Australia | AFC |
| 28 | Algeria | CAF |
| 29 | Egypt | CAF |
| 30 | Canada (host) | CONCACAF |
| 31 | Norway | UEFA |
| 33 | Côte d’Ivoire | CAF |
| 34 | Panama | CONCACAF |
| 38 | Sweden | UEFA |
| 40 | Czechia | UEFA |
| 41 | Paraguay | CONMEBOL |
| 42 | Scotland | UEFA |
| 45 | Tunisia | CAF |
| 46 | DR Congo | CAF |
| 50 | Uzbekistan | AFC |
| 56 | Qatar | AFC |
| 57 | Iraq | AFC |
| 60 | South Africa | CAF |
| 61 | Saudi Arabia | AFC |
| 63 | Jordan | AFC |
| 64 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | UEFA |
| 67 | Cape Verde | CAF |
| 73 | Ghana | CAF |
| 82 | Curaçao | CONCACAF |
| 83 | Haiti | CONCACAF |
| 85 | New Zealand | OFC |
Gaps in the numbers are normal — they belong to teams ranked in between that did not qualify.
Planning a Trip to the World Cup
The tournament runs across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
If you’re heading over to watch, compare flights to host cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Mexico City and Toronto.
Book early — hotels in Los Angeles, Mexico City and Toronto fill quickly around match dates.
For schedules, broadcasters and more, follow the World Cup 2026 hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which team is ranked No. 1 at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Argentina is the highest-ranked team, holding the No. 1 spot in the world. The reigning champions reclaimed the top of the FIFA World Ranking just before the tournament.
Who is the lowest-ranked team at the World Cup 2026?
New Zealand, ranked No. 85, is the lowest-ranked of all 48 qualifiers. They reached the tournament as Oceania’s sole representative.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
48 teams — the largest field in World Cup history. The tournament expanded from 32 teams for this edition, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
How often does the FIFA World Ranking change?
FIFA updates the ranking several times a year, after each international match window. Positions can shift during the tournament as teams win or lose.
Sources
- FIFA World Ranking (Men)
- FIFA — Qualified Teams for the 2026 World Cup
- FIFA — How the Lowest-Ranked Teams Shape Up
- ESPN — FIFA Men’s Top 50 World Rankings, June 2026
- MLSSoccer — FIFA Rankings of Every Team at the World Cup
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