Argentina tops FIFA rankings for second consecutive year in 2024

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Kathmandu: Footbal world champion Argentina ended 2024 as the top-ranked team in the FIFA men’s rankings, retaining their position for the second year in a row. The rankings, released Thursday, showed minimal changes as only 21 international matches were played since November.

Argentina secured the top spot, followed by France in second place, and European champions Spain in third. The rest of the top 10 remained unchanged: England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Germany.

FIFA highlighted Angola’s remarkable progress in 2024, with the team climbing 32 spots to 85th, the biggest improvement among all nations. Angola played the most matches this year, contributing to their rise.