Fifa rankings 2026: France lead as Spain keep finding a way
With six World Cup games left, The Athletic's latest fifa rankings 2026 update keeps France first after a 2-0 quarter-final win over Morocco, while Spain stay second following Mikel Merino's late 2-1 victory over Belgium. Les Bleus look inevitable, but Spain's elite defence sets up a classic semi-final clash in Dallas.
Key Takeaways
- France top The Athletic reranking as FIFA's No. 1 side with six wins, 16 goals scored and just two conceded.
- Spain remain second (FIFA rank 3) after limiting Belgium to 0.37 expected goals and winning via Merino's late strike.
- Defector reported a 17-2 shot advantage for France over Morocco; Les Bleus reach a third straight World Cup semi-final.
- Morocco became the first African nation to reach consecutive World Cup quarter-finals before exiting 2-0 in Boston.
- France face Spain in Dallas on Bastille Day — Didier Deschamps' attack meets Luis de la Fuente's tournament-best defence.
Why does France still top the fifa rankings 2026 board?
Forty-eight teams opened the expanded 2026 finals a month ago; only six remained after Morocco's 2-0 loss to France on Thursday and Belgium's 2-1 defeat to Spain on Friday in Los Angeles. The Athletic ranks France first among FIFA-listed sides.
Kylian Mbappé has eight goals and Ousmane Dembélé five; Michael Olise leads the tournament with five assists. France have not conceded in three knockout matches. The outlet's live projection tool gives Les Bleus a 34% chance of lifting the trophy.
Writing for Defector, Luis Paez-Pumar called the Morocco win one-way traffic: France held a 17-2 shot advantage and won possession 52-48. Only Germany (twice) and Brazil had reached three straight World Cup semi-finals before this French run.
Can Spain keep finding a way against France?
Spain rank second despite Lamine Yamal's modest tournament output — one goal and no assists. Merino scored late winners in consecutive knockout rounds, with Mikel Oyarzabal also contributing. Their stubborn defence has been the constant.
Belgium created just 0.37 expected goals yet finally breached Spain for the first conceded goal of the tournament. The Athletic calls the upcoming France semi "an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object." Defector adds Spain boast the best defence in the competition by a wide margin.
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What do Morocco and Belgium's exits change?
Morocco hoped to rewrite their 2022 semi-final loss to France, but Mbappé — after a saved penalty — scored on the hour and teed up Dembélé five minutes later. ABC News noted Yassine Bounou's resistance before France "pulled on the tux" after long spells in workwear mode.
Deschamps said his side "can play ugly football" and grind when elegance fails. Belgium pushed Spain hard but lost after backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens' error on Merino's winner; Thibaut Courtois and Youri Tielemans were sorely missed.
Who else remains in contention?
Argentina (FIFA rank 2) sit third after rallying from 2-0 down against Egypt. England fourth face Norway without Jarell Quansah and with injury doubts around Marc Guehi, Declan Rice and Reece James. Norway (FIFA rank 21) and Switzerland (15) round out the final six before quarter-finals trim the field to four.