World Cup winner Argentina moves top of FIFA rankings
Argentina's soccer star Lionel Messi holds a replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy next to a statue of himself during a ceremony at the CONMEBOL headquarters in Asuncion, Monday, March 27, 2023. CONMEBOL authorities held a ceremony to honor the Argentine squad after they won the World Cup, prior to the draw for the group stage of Libertadores and Sudamericana tournaments. Credit: AP/Jorge Saenz
ZURICH — World Cup winner Argentina topped the FIFA rankings on Thursday for the first time in six years.
Argentina’s two wins in friendlies last month ended the one-year run at the top for Brazil, which lost at Morocco 2-1 and fell to No. 3.
France, the World Cup beaten finalist, followed Argentina in rising one place, to No. 2. France won back-to-back European Championship qualifiers against No. 6 the Netherlands and Ireland.
Belgium stayed at No. 4, with England next after two wins including beating No. 8 Italy.
Europe completed the top 10 with No. 7 Croatia followed by Italy, Portugal and Spain.
Morocco, which has joined the Spanish and Portuguese in a 2030 World Cup bidding plan, stayed at No. 11 to lead African teams.
The United States was still No. 13, two ahead of regional rival Mexico. Canada, the other North American co-host of the 2026 World Cup, rose six to No. 47.
France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates their victory at the Euro 2024 group B qualifying soccer match between France and the Netherlands at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Friday, March 24, 2023. Credit: AP/Christophe Ena
Japan at No. 20 was the best of the Asian teams, and 2022 World Cup host Qatar fell to No. 61.
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