FIFA don release new world ranking on Wednesday, October 7, and Portugal na di big mover inside top ten. Cristiano Ronaldo no dey camp for some matches, but Portugal still climb from seventh to fifth with 1,807.69 points. The climb push Brazil down to sixth with 1,806.51 and Morocco down to seventh with 1,805.34. Na only genuine breakthrough inside top ten, and a sign of Portugal footballing resurgence.
Portugal perfect UEFA Nations League window do di damage, with four straight wins over Norway home and away, Wales and Denmark. Their climb cost Brazil and Morocco, who each slipped one place after both stumbled to draws in friendlies. The ranking be first update since World Cup, and e follow window wey run from late September into early October.
Sixteen days of international soccer don pass, but top four no budge. Spain still reign at top with 2,011.57 points, adding 15.69 points to strengthen lead. World champions for second time this summer, Spain start Nations League with four wins on bounce. The pick be 3-2 victory over England, plus two over Croatia and another against Czech Republic. England gain 2.76 points but remain fourth.
Argentina cling to second with 1,972.80 after winning all three friendlies. The emotional 3-0 win over Benin on Tuesday evening mark night Lionel Messi pull on national shirt for final time. France follow third with 1,958.86, England fourth with 1,925.59. Belgium, Netherlands and Mexico keep their places inside top ten.
Mexico stay 10th despite dropping 15.82 points to 1,738.48, after 2-0 defeat against Chile. Colombia now only 2.68 points behind Mexico. For American fans, most encouraging number no be USMNT position. United States remain 16th, but total increase from 1,690.33 points in July to 1,705.47, gain of 15.14. Their window end with 1-0 victory over Canada, making four wins from four. Those wins be 4-1 over Peru, 4-2 over Chile, 3-0 over Mexico and 1-0 over Canada. Still, e no move them from 16th. Italy remain immediate target in 15th, just 7.57 points ahead of USMNT. That leaves US and Mexico separated by 33.01 points, down from 63.97 after World Cup, and US almost halve deficit without moving one place.
Rwanda steal show with biggest leap of update. They vault nine places to 119th after priceless 2-1 win over Cape Verde, one of leading candidates to reach World Cup, in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on 29 September. Guinea-Bissau earn most points, 35.64. Sierra Leone by contrast be heaviest fallers. Two defeats in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers drop them eight places to 130th.
Other movements see Switzerland rise two places to 12th, Canada climb three to 27th, and Türkiye slip four to 31st. The latest ranking leave Argentina in strong position as dem begin new chapter without Messi, still second in world and behind only Spain. Portugal climb to fifth in middle of most turbulent week of Ronaldo international career.
Off-field drama still surround Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo leave national team camp after team first two matches of window. Coach Jorge Jesus dey inside controversy, and brand-new footage involving manager Jorge Jesus surface, adding twist to bitter dispute wey force captain out of camp. Luka Modric publicly defend im former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo amid fallout with Portugal national team and head coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo also send Lionel Messi message of respect after retirement from Argentina.
FIFA go release next ranking update on 18 November, after Portugal final two group games in Nations League, against Denmark on 14 November and Wales later that month.
