ZURICH: Spain and Lamine Yamal took top spot from Argentina and Lionel Messi in the FIFA men’s rankings published on Thursday, and lead for the first time since being dethroned as world champion in June 2014.
Spain’s two-win start to a 2026 World Cup qualifying group this month — against Turkiye and Bulgaria — lifted the European champion up from second place behind 2022 World Cup winner Argentina, which fell to third.
Argentina’s loss in a World Cup qualifier in Ecuador also let France rise one place to No. 2.
England stayed at No. 4, and Portugal climbed one place to No. 5 in a swap with Brazil, which lost a game at Bolivia.
Morocco at No. 11 were the best of the African nations and Japan led Asia at No. 19. Both have already qualified for the World Cup.
Mexico and the United States were Nos. 14 and 16 respectively as the World Cup co-hosts both fell one place. Canada, the third co-host next year, rose two to No. 26.
The rankings are updated in October and again in November when the standings are more significant.
The November rankings should decide seedings for the 48-team World Cup tournament draw being held on Dec. 5 in Washington, plus draws for playoffs in Europe and the intercontinental brackets. Those games are scheduled in March.
The World Cup draw will have 42 confirmed entries and six placeholders for the eventual playoff winners. Those placeholders all must come from the lowest-ranked teams in seeding pot 4 and could include Italy.
Spain overtake Messi’s Argentina to lead FIFA rankings for first time since 2014
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Spain overtake Messi’s Argentina to lead FIFA rankings for first time since 2014
- Argentina’s loss in a World Cup qualifier in Ecuador also let France rise one place to No. 2
- Morocco at No. 11 were the best of the African nations and Japan led Asia at No. 19
Liverpool draw ‘feels like defeat’, says Wirtz
- Arne Slot’s men are unbeaten in their past 12 games in all competitions
- Germany international Wirtz put the home side ahead at Anfield on Saturday
LONDON: Florian Wirtz said Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with lowly Burnley on Saturday “feels like a defeat” after the Premier League champions dropped points for the fourth straight game.
Arne Slot’s men are unbeaten in their past 12 games in all competitions but are struggling to kill teams off.
Germany international Wirtz put the home side ahead at Anfield on Saturday after Dominik Szoboszlai missed a penalty but Marcus Edwards levelled with the visitors’ only shot on target in the 65th minute.
Liverpool had a total of 32 shots, including 11 on target, but could not make their dominance count.
Wirtz, who has hit form after a slow start to his Anfield career, said the result was frustrating.
“It feels like a defeat,” he said. “When we had so many shots and so many on target, I think we had to score more goals.
“But some days are like this — you try everything but in the end, it doesn’t go in the goal. We only take one point but I can only say (in) the next game we go again and try to do better.”
Liverpool boss Slot bemoaned his side’s bluntness in attack and tendency to concede goals despite giving away few chances.
“We should have won this game,” he told the BBC. “There was not a lot I could ask more in terms of chance creation.”
The draw leaves Liverpool fourth in the Premier League table, seven points behind third-placed Aston Villa and one ahead of Manchester United, in fifth spot.
