Fifa ranking, hard blow for France
France is no longer at the top of the Fifa rankings since its defeat against Ivory Coast (1-2) on Thursday in Nantes. England, Portugal and Brazil are in ambush and the Blues have a more complicated path than the other favorites at the World Cup.
World number 1 after the international window in March, the France team will ultimately not approach the 2026 World Cup at the top of the Fifa rankings. Didier Deschamps’ Blues were overthrown by Ivory Coast (1-2) last Thursday in a preparation match in Nantes. The ranking of the international body is updated with the slightest result and the defeat against the Elephants, 33rd in the world, causes France to lose 7.89 points, now ahead of Argentina and Spain.
France is now followed by England, Portugal and Brazil, who all won their respective friendly matches on Saturday against New Zealand (1-0), Chile (2-1) and Egypt (2-1). These are the two Seleçaos who grab the most points (2.34 and 3.19) compared to their opponent’s ranking, while the Three Lions only scored one goal against the “Neo-Z” 85th in the Fifa ranking.
France followed by Portugal
Kylian Mbappé and his teammates conclude their preparation in France with a second meeting against Northern Ireland, this Monday evening at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Obviously, a success against the 70th in the world will earn France a handful of points in the Fifa rankings, but the English and the Portuguese also have one last friendly match on the program, against Costa Rica and Nigeria on Wednesday, two teams not qualified for the World Cup.
Above all, the French team inherited the most difficult World Cup group with Senegal and Norway as opponents. The Blues start against the Lions of Teranga on June 16, before challenging Iraq and especially Erling Haaland’s Norwegians. At the same time, Brazil will face Haiti and England against Panama. For crushing victories? Portugal will have a slightly more complicated program with the DRC, Uzbekistan and Colombia. In any case, even if the Fifa ranking remains anecdotal, its evolution will be fun to follow on a daily basis during this World Cup.
