Portugal Surges Up FIFA World Rankings While Brazil and Germany Tumble After Fall Window

The extended three-week international window featured more fixtures than typical, leading to notable shifts in FIFA's global rankings.

Teams from Europe, Africa, and the Americas competed in official matches during the break, while numerous sides also traveled internationally to take part in friendly contests.

The window offered a solid mix of marquee encounters—largely in Europe—alongside more unusual matchups, including Brazil's historic first meeting with India and Argentina's debut clash against Benin, which also marked Lionel Messi's final international appearance.

How Are FIFA Rankings Calculated?

At its core, FIFA rankings are based on the results of a nation's matches. Each country carries a cumulative points total that rises or falls using the Elo calculation method, depending on whether a team wins, draws, or loses a game.

Naturally, the more games a country wins, the higher its points total climbs and, consequently, the better its FIFA ranking becomes.

However, not every match carries the same weight. According to FIFA: "The points which are added or subtracted are partially determined by the relative strength of the two opponents, including the logical expectation that teams higher in the ranking should fare better against teams lower in the ranking."

The type of competition also plays a role in the points system. For instance, Spain earns significantly more points for defeating Argentina in a World Cup final than for winning a standard friendly, as different tournaments carry distinct values.

This rankings calculation system was introduced for the first time in August 2018.

Where Does the USMNT Rank in the World?

Mauricio Pochettino's young squad delivered four straight wins during the recent international window, defeating Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada. The USMNT was especially potent in attack, scoring 12 goals across those four matches.

Despite earning 3.85 points from those victories, the Stars and Stripes were unable to climb the rankings and remained stationary in 16th place. The fact that all autumn fixtures were friendlies significantly restricted their points-earning potential.

The USMNT's current cumulative points total stands at 1705.47, still some way behind 15th-placed Italy (1713.04).

FIFA World Rankings: Top 20 Nations

It comes as no shock that reigning world champions Spain continue to lead the FIFA rankings by a commanding margin. After winning all four of their UEFA Nations League fixtures during the window—including victories over fellow top-20 sides England and Croatia (twice)—they added another 3.72 points and remain the only nation to surpass 2000 points (2011.57).

La Roja stay ahead of the side they defeated in the World Cup final: Argentina. Three friendly victories against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin added just 0.63 points to their total, owing to the modest quality of opposition faced.

France and England closed the gap on La Albiceleste in third and fourth respectively. France added 5.14 points to reach 1958.86 during Zinedine Zidane's debut window as manager, a spell that produced three wins and a draw against strong opponents.

England also secured three victories, though two came against 51st-ranked Czechia. Those wins contributed 2.16 points, bringing their total to 1925.59—a significant gap ahead of fifth-placed Portugal.

Off-field turbulence stemming from Cristiano Ronaldo's latest outburst was not reflected in Portugal's performances on the pitch. The Seleção das Quinas swept all four Nations League matches under new head coach Jorge Jesus, vaulting above both Brazil and Morocco in the standings.

While Morocco dropped points, Brazil still managed to add 0.6 to their tally with friendly wins over Australia and India. Nevertheless, that proved insufficient to prevent them from slipping out of the top five.

Belgium shed 5.14 points during Mark van Bommel's first window at the helm, though they narrowly held off ninth-placed Netherlands. Mexico, meanwhile, dropped 7.56 points in a winless opening camp under Rafa Márquez, yet managed to retain their place in the top 10.

Switzerland climbed two spots to 12th following four straight wins, leapfrogging Jürgen Klopp's revamped Germany side. The four-time world champions won just one of their Nations League games and failed to beat 41st-ranked Greece in either encounter.

Croatia also slid to 14th following a difficult run of results upon Slaven Bilić's return to the dugout. A 7–0 thrashing by England was bookended by losses to Spain, yet Croatia still holds a slim advantage over both Italy and the USMNT.