FIFA has released the final standings for the 2026 World Cup after Spain defeated Argentina in the final. See where all 48 participating nations finished
World Cup 2026 Final Standings: Spain Crowned Champions as FIFA Confirms Rankings for All 48 Teams
Spain have been officially crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after edging defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a gripping final at New York New Jersey Stadium, as FIFA released the final rankings for all 48 participating nations.
La Roja completed a remarkable campaign by lifting the World Cup for only the second time in their history, recovering from a surprise goalless draw against Cabo Verde in their opening Group H fixture to dominate the remainder of the tournament. Luis de la Fuente’s side defeated Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France before outclassing Argentina in the final, registering 20 shots to their opponents’ two across 120 minutes.
Argentina finished runners-up after narrowly missing out on back-to-back world titles. Lionel Scaloni’s side breezed through the group stage before surviving dramatic knockout encounters against Cabo Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England. Veteran captain Lionel Messi inspired several memorable comebacks but ended the tournament in tears after falling to Spain in the final.
England secured third place — their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1966 — after defeating France 6-4 in an extraordinary bronze-medal match inspired by Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick. Thomas Tuchel’s side recovered impressively from their heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina to end the tournament on a high.
France settled for fourth after suffering successive defeats to Spain in the semi-finals and England in the third-place playoff despite entering the last four without conceding a goal.
Norway completed a memorable return to the World Cup by finishing fifth, powered by Erling Haaland’s goals and a vibrant campaign that won admirers worldwide. Belgium claimed sixth after ending their disappointing Qatar 2022 outing with a quarter-final appearance, while Morocco and Switzerland shared seventh place following quarter-final exits.
Mexico rounded off the top ten in ninth after ending a four-decade wait for a knockout-stage victory, while Colombia finished 10th after suffering a penalty shootout defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 16.
Brazil endured one of the tournament’s biggest disappointments, finishing 11th after a shock Round of 16 exit to Norway, with Neymar left in tears following Erling Haaland’s match-winning display. Co-hosts United States placed 12th, Portugal finished 13th in Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance, while Canada recorded their best-ever campaign in 14th place.
Egypt’s historic run to the Round of 16 earned the Pharaohs 15th position, ahead of Paraguay in 16th, the Netherlands in 17th, Germany in 18th, Côte d’Ivoire in 19th and Croatia in 20th.
Japan (21st), Australia (22nd), DR Congo (23rd) and Ghana (24th) also reached the knockout phase, while Ecuador and South Africa shared 25th position. Sweden (27th), Austria (28th), Bosnia and Herzegovina (29th), Algeria (30th), Senegal (31st) and tournament debutants Cabo Verde (32nd) completed the nations eliminated in the Round of 32.
The remaining teams exited during the group stage, with Iran finishing highest among them in 33rd, followed by Korea Republic (34th), Türkiye (35th), Scotland (36th), Uruguay (37th), Saudi Arabia (38th), Czechia (39th), New Zealand (40th), Qatar (41st), Curaçao (42nd), Panama (43rd), Jordan (44th), Haiti (45th), Uzbekistan (46th), Tunisia (47th) and Iraq (48th).
Final Top 10 World Cup 2026 Standings
- Spain
- Argentina
- England
- France
- Norway
- Belgium
7=. Morocco
7=. Switzerland - Mexico
- Colombia
FIFA ranked the teams based on total points accumulated across all stages of the tournament, followed by goal difference and goals scored. Where teams remained level after applying those criteria, they shared the same final position.
