FIFA World Ranking (Men's): what is this month's Top 50 ranked nations?

The much-criticized FIFA World Ranking developed a new criteria in the aftermath of the 2018 World Cup. In the hopes of presenting a more logic chart, World Football's governing body explained in their August 2018 FIFA Ranking press release:

"The formula, which was approved by the FIFA Council in June after a lengthy period of testing, relies on adding/subtracting points won or lost for a game to/from the previous points total rather than averaging game points over a given time period as in the previous version of the ranking.

"The changes, of which there are several, include the fact that inactive teams now preserve their points totals, with no devaluation of older games. Points are dropped, however, from losing or drawing against weaker opposition, with the only exception to this rule being matches in knockout rounds of major competitions such as the FIFA World Cup™."

Note: this article is updated on a monthly basis since the release of the new formula. Please scroll to the bottom to view the current Top 50 FIFA World Ranking.

April 2019 FIFA World Ranking

While the top five remains the same for the most part, there has been a change in position for England. After an impressive run in March that saw them score five goals in their opening two Euro 2020 qualifers, the Three Lions have moved up a spot, climbing into fourth. This means Croatia now resides in fifth while the first, second, and third spot still goes to Belgium, France, and Brazil.

The only other change in the top 10 saw Uruaguay move up a spot into sixth, bumping Portugal into seventh. Argentina remains in 11th while Germany has moved up three spots and is now the 13th ranked nation in the world.

Where is USA in the list and who is the biggest climber?

USMNT moved up a spot into 24th but still trail 18th-placed Mexico in the CONCACAF standings. As for the biggest climber, that honor goes to Istrael who advanced from 92nd to 84th.

February 2019 FIFA World Ranking

No changes in the world's Top 20 due to lack of international matches played since the start of the year. Qatar, however, came out as the biggest winners by jumping 38 places to occupy the 55th spot. The surprise 2019 AFC Asian Cup champions have gone levels ahead of their average 82nd position since the creation of the chart. Their Asian counterparts, Japan, also made the most of their Asian Cup runners-up status by going 23 places up, hence breaking into the world's Top 30.

Elsewhere Panama, who lost 3-0 to the USMNT in January, slipped five places onto 76th but the U.S. (25th) and Mexico (17th) keep their title as second and first respectively in the CONCACAF zone. In Africa, it's bad news all over as continental leaders Senegal (24th), Tunisia (28th), Morocco (43rd), Nigeria (46th), Congo (51st), Ghana (52nd), and all the other countries in CAF's 16 best ranked nations have all gone one, two or three places down in the February 2019 FIFA World Ranking. 

November 2018 FIFA World Ranking

It's an unchanged Top 10 in the November 2018 FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking but Portugal, now sixth, have traded their seventh spot with CONMEBOL's Uruguay. 

There's good news for the Messi-less Argentines who leapfrogged Colombia into 11th and reduced the gap over Denmark to seven points only. Elsewhere, the Senegalese (23rd) are the highest-ranked African nation. The United States complete the list of the 25 best football nations according to the chart.

Tunisia, whose performance at the FIFA World Cup was abysmal, recorded the biggest demotion by point (22). However, no country did worse than Benin and Russia in November 2018. Both dropped seven places. 

The FIFA World Ranking's Top 50 can be viewed at the bottom of this article.

October 2018 FIFA World Ranking

France's dominance atop the world ranking did not last for too long. World Cup 2018 bronze medalist Belgium have dethroned Les Bleus, according to FIFA's criteria. 

In the UEFA Nations League, both France and Belgium are doing well. With a game in hand, the Red Devils are poised to open a three-point lead over Switzerland (6) and Iceland (0) in League A's Group 2. In Group 1, the World Cup champions kept the Netherlands and Germany in check on Matchday 2 and 3 with 2-1 wins. French and Belgian football is enjoying an era of young talents and solid results.

Meanwhile, Neymar's Brazil (3rd), Luka Modric's Croatia (4th), Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal (7th), Switzerland, Spain, and Denmark have not moved places in the October 2018 edition of the FIFA Ranking's top 10. 

Where are Mexico and USA in CONCACAF and the world?

It's minus one for both. El Tri is now 16th in the world while the USMNT has fallen into the 23rd position. Costa Rica (37th), Jamaica (53rd), and Honduras (62nd) did not record any move. They wrap up CONCACAF's list of the five best-placed nations. 

Changes in the CONMEBOL zone

Whereas Argentina (12th) keep further dropping out of the Top 10, Colombia are diligently making their way into it. James Rodriguez's side, third in South America, has jumped three places and now occupies the 11th position on the FIFA Men's Ranking.

Where are African nations in the FIFA Men's Ranking?

There's a little bit of good news for Nigeria who have gone four places up. However, they remain only 44th on the chart while the highest-ranked African nation is Tunisia (22nd) who are still outside the Top 20. Senegal maintain their second spot in the CAF zone which translates into 25th in the world. Congo DR (46th) and Morocco (47th) complete CAF's Top 5.

When is the release of the next FIFA Men's Ranking?

The next edition of the FIFA Men's ranking is scheduled for November 29, 2018. AFC's Top 4 -- made of World Cup 2018 participants Iran (30th), Australia (42nd), Japan (50th), and Korea Republic (53rd) -- will be hoping to continue their ascension in the standings come next month. 

September 2018 FIFA World Ranking

For the first time in history, FIFA has two teams sharing the number one spot in their world ranking!

What does the Top 10 look like in September 2018?

Belgium has moved up one place to join France at the number one spot, becoming the joint-highest ranked nation in the world in the month of September. There were little changes elsewhere, with England retaining the sixth spot. Denmark has been overtaken by Spain, with the Scandinavian side moving into 10th. Germany has moved from 15th to 12th to edge closer to a top-10 return.

How are Mexico and USA doing in September 2018?

Mexico continues to lead the CONCACAF table, moving up one spot to 15th in the world. USA, on the other hand, has not moved at all and remains in the 22nd position.

August 2018 FIFA World Ranking

After conquering the world in Russia, Les Bleus have also conquered the FIFA World Ranking for the first time since 2002! 

Who is in and out of the Top 10 in August 2018?

With the new system, reigning world champions France have moved from 6th to 1st on the table. World Cup 2018 runners-up Croatia and fourth-placed England have, along with Uruguay and Denmark, broken into the Top 10. Meanwhile, Last 16 victims Argentina have joined fellow South American side Chile out of the Top 10. Germany and Poland, who both surprisingly crashed out of Russia 2018 in the group stages, also follow the Albiceleste and La Roja out of August's FIFA World Ranking Top 10.

Where are Mexico and USA ranked in August 2018?

The two CONCACAF heavyweights head the ranking in the CONCACAF zone. El Tri, who yet again suffered a Round of 16 World Cup elimination, are 16th in the world but 1st in their region. The USMNT, meanwhile, must content themselves with the 22nd position in the world after missing out on this year's biggest sports tournament.

What is the current FIFA World Ranking Top 50?