US soccer slides in FIFA world rankings

USA SOCCER

Back-to-back losses to Belgium and Portugal dropped the United States to 16th in the latest FIFA world soccer rankings. Mexico leapfrogged the U.S. to No. 15 after draws against the same opponents.

The United States is 16th in the latest FIFA world soccer ranking.

The U.S., who have 1,617.13 points, slipped a spot to swap places with Concacaf rival Mexico after dropping friendlies against Belgium (5-2) and Portugal (2-0). Mexico managed draws against the same teams – 0-0 vs. Portugal and 1-1 against Belgium. The U.S. is 0-2 in 2026 international friendlies.

France, the 2022 World Cup runner-up, rose two spots during the international window to reclaim No. 1 for the first time since September 2018. Les Blues leapfrogged Spain and 2022 champion Argentina, which fell to second and third, respectively. Spain, the European champion, was hampered by a March 31 draw against Egypt, which jumped a couple of places to No. 29.

Other notable moves include No. 5 Portugal which changed places with Brazil after a win and draw in recent friendlies and while the Seleção lost to France. Otherwise, the top 10 is unchanged.
Only three of the top 30-ranked teams will miss the World Cup: Italy (12th, up 1), Denmark (20th, up 1) and Nigeria (26th, unchanged). 

No. 22 Türkiye (up three spots), No. 34 Côte d’Ivoire (up three), Sweden (38th, up four) and Tunisia (44th, up three) made the most aggressive moves in the top 50. Bosnia and Herzegovina (65th, up six places) have double cause for celebration, having shot up the standings after joining European playoff winners Sweden, Türkiye and Czechia (41st, up two) in clinching their World Cup berth.

Vietnam (99th, up nine spots), Nepal (176th, up six) and Bhutan (186th, up six), join the Dragons in climbing more than five places. Eritrea (184th) returned to the ranking for the first time in three years. Kosovo (78th, up 1), which missed qualifying for the World Cup qualification with a loss to Türkiye in one of the European play-off finals, have reached their highest-ever position in the men’s pecking order.

The next ranking will be released on June 10. 

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