Copa America
Argentina have retained their top spot in FIFA’s men’s world rankings ahead of the 2024 Copa America.
The 2022 World Cup winners have lost just one of their last 20 games, that being a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay in November 2023. Lionel Scaloni’s side also won the 2021 edition of the Copa America, beating Brazil in the final at the Maracana.
They are joined in the top three by France (second) and Belgium (third) who have not moved from their positions since the last ranking in April.
How to follow the European Championship and Copa America on The Athletic…
Brazil are unbeaten in their last four games and beat England 1-0 at Wembley in March. They have moved up one place to fourth while England have dropped a place to fifth.
Portugal (sixth), Netherlands (seventh), Spain (eighth), Croatia (ninth), and Italy (tenth) complete the top ten. Croatia and Italy have swapped places in the only other change to the top 10 since April’s ranking.
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The USMNT remain in 11th position — the third highest ranked side at this summer’s Copa America.
Liberia were the largest climbers in this most recent ranking, moving up ten places to 142nd while Equatorial Guinea suffered the biggest drop, moving down ten places to 89th position.
Reigning Copa America champions Argentina begin the defence of their title against Canada on Thursday.
GO DEEPER
Lionel Messi’s 13 Copa America goals analysed (including that USMNT free kick)
(Carl De Souza/AFP via Getty Images)
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Nnamdi Onyeagwara joined us in November 2022, initially helping us cover the World Cup before becoming a Junior News Editor in January 2023. Born in North London, Nnamdi attended Nottingham Trent University and previously worked at The Voice and the Barnet Post. Follow Nnamdi on Twitter @nnamdionye
