FIFA updated the world ranking of men’s national football teams this Thursday (22), and to the surprise of many, the current world champion Argentina appears in second place, with France in third position on the list. Despite being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Cup, Brazil remains at the top of the ranking. According to the organization, the canarinho team maintained its first place in the listing due to the total points awarded for victories after regular time – the tri-world championship won by the hermanos was decided by penalties after regular time.
“The National Team maintains a narrow lead over the Albiceleste, which would have jumped ahead of its neighbors and rivals if it had defeated France in the World Cup final last Sunday (18), in regular time or extra time,” FIFA explained in a statement on its official website.
Unlike Argentina and France, which closed the gap with leader Brazil, Belgium dropped two positions: it now occupies fourth place, followed by England, which remained in fifth.
The Croatian and Moroccan teams have much to celebrate with the new ranking update: the European team rose five positions and is now in seventh place. The Atlas Lion went even further: it climbed 11 spots and now occupies 11th place on the list.
The next FIFA ranking will be released in April 2023.
Source: Agência Brasil