The United States has overtaken Mexico, regaining its status as top team in CONCACAF according to the FIFA Men’s World Rankings. Additionally, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq have secured advantageous seeding positions, allowing them byes in the World Cup inter-confederation playoff finals.
Recent impressive victories over Paraguay and Uruguay have propelled Mauricio Pochettino’s squad to 14th in the FIFA rankings, their best position since just before the 2024 Copa America. The U.S. men’s national team improved by two spots, avoiding teams they previously defeated in Tampa, and Mexico’s World Cup preparations suffered setbacks with losses and draws against the same opponents. The U.S. now holds 1,682 points, the highest recorded score for the team in the nearly 33 years of the rankings.
In related developments, Brazil’s win over Senegal and a subsequent draw with Tunisia moved Carlo Ancelotti’s team to fifth place after overcoming the Netherlands and Portugal. However, they trail behind the top four teams—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—who are seen as the likely favorites for the World Cup.
All seven highlighted teams are expected to be the top seeds for the World Cup group stage, with a draw set to take place in Washington, D.C., on December 5. Belgium and Germany also climbed to the top seeds after victories over Slovakia and Luxembourg, respectively, positioning them ahead of Croatia.
Italy, previously a top contender, saw its hopes dashed following a heavy defeat to Norway, forcing them into European playoff rounds to qualify for the World Cup. Although still unconfirmed by FIFA, teams taking this route are anticipated to be in Pot 4.
Completing the top seeds are host nations the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. At the other end of the rankings, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq have clinched spots in the inter-confederation playoff finals, where non-European teams will vie for two World Cup berths. Unseeded teams like Jamaica, Bolivia, Suriname, and New Caledonia will need to win both the semifinals and finals to advance. Draws for both the intercontinental and European playoffs are scheduled in Zurich, with matches for the first taking place in Guadalajara and Monterrey.
The rankings reflect the intense competition in recent qualifying matches worldwide. Denmark has experienced the sharpest drop in points despite qualifying, while the Republic of Ireland surged ahead with critical wins over Portugal and Hungary. Meanwhile, Haiti’s victories over Nicaragua and Costa Rica saw them rise four spots.
### FIFA Men’s Ranking Top 20
| Rank | Team | Points |
|——|————-|———–|
| 1 | Spain | 1877.18 |
| 2 | Argentina | 1873.33 |
| 3 | France | 1870 |
| 4 | England | 1834.12 |
| 5 | Brazil | 1760.46 |
| 6 | Portugal | 1760.38 |
| 7 | Netherlands | 1756.27 |
| 8 | Belgium | 1730.71 |
| 9 | Germany | 1724.15 |
| 10 | Croatia | 1716.88 |
| 11 | Morocco | 1713.12 |
| 12 | Italy | 1702.06 |
| 13 | Colombia | 1701.3 |
| 14 | USA | 1681.88 |
| 15 | Mexico | 1675.75 |
| 16 | Uruguay | 1672.62 |
| 17 | Switzerland | 1654.69 |
| 18 | Japan | 1650.12 |
| 19 | Senegal | 1648.07 |
| 20 | Iran | 1617.02 |
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### Fan Take:
This news is significant for soccer fans as it signifies a competitive resurgence for the U.S. team, enhancing anticipation for the upcoming World Cup. The United States’ return to the forefront of CONCACAF not only boosts morale but also suggests a promising trajectory for the sport in a nation eager for international success.
