World Cup

England still fifth as Brazil extend lead at top of FIFA rankings

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 06 October 2022

England remain fifth in the latest FIFA world rankings, while Brazil extend their lead at the top and Scotland are the joint-biggest risers.

England have kept their place in fifth in the latest FIFA world rankings despite suffering relegation from UEFA Nations League A during the recent international break.

Gareth Southgate's side will head into the World Cup later this year without a win in their last six games, losing three and drawing three of their Nations League group games against Italy, Germany and Hungary.

However, the Three Lions remain above all of them in the FIFA rankings, with European champions Italy rising one place to sixth despite not qualifying for the World Cup, Germany staying 11th and Hungary moving up to 36th.

Brazil remain top of the pile ahead of their bid for a first World Cup crown in 20 years and sixth overall in Qatar, extending their points lead over Belgium in second.

Argentina, who are unbeaten in any competition since 2019, sit third, while defending champions France will go into this winter's tournament as the fourth-highest ranked international team in the world.

🆕 FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking is out!
🇧🇷 Brazil increase their lead at the top 💪
📈 Big gains for Scotland, Azerbaijan, Algeria, Georgia, Mauritania and Suriname 🧗
🇮🇹 Only change in top 🔟is Italy leapfrogging Spain 🇪🇸
👉 https://t.co/l8xCZVumLX pic.twitter.com/yZpd94P41R
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) October 6, 2022

The only change in the top 10 saw Italy and Spain swap places in sixth and seventh respectively, while Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark round out the top 10.

Scotland were the joint-biggest movers alongside Azerbaijan in the latest rankings, with both teams moving up five places - Scotland now sitting 40th in the world.

Erling Braut Haaland's Norway side were the biggest fallers, meanwhile, as they fell six places to 42nd.

Wales, who will face England at the group stages of the World Cup, remain 19th, while the Republic of Ireland drop to 49th and Northern Ireland fall to 59th.

England's other two World Cup group stage opponents - USA and Iran - sit 16th and 20th respectively, with USA falling and Iran rising in the latest rankings.