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Portugal holds steady at fifth place in the FIFA rankings, updated this Thursday, as the 2026 World Cup kicks off. Reigning champions Argentina have reclaimed the top spot. The National Team had climbed to fifth in the previous update in April and has now maintained that position.
The Seleção secured two victories in their two warm-up matches for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They defeated Nigeria in Leiria after beating Chile in Jamor, both by a 2-1 scoreline.
In a reversal from April, Argentina has ascended to first place, swapping positions with France. The 2022 World Cup runners-up, who lost to Ivory Coast, now drop to third, while European champions Spain remain in second, and England holds fourth.
Within the top 10, only one other change occurred, with Morocco leapfrogging the Netherlands into seventh position. Portugal's opponents in Group K of the 2026 World Cup maintained their rankings, with Colombia staying at 13th, DR Congo at 46th, and Uzbekistan at 50th.
Excluding Brazil (sixth), Cape Verde, set to make their World Cup debut, remains the highest-ranked Lusophone nation, climbing to 67th. They are ahead of Angola (88th), Mozambique (103rd), Guinea-Bissau (132nd), Macau (193rd), São Tomé and Príncipe (195th), coached by Portuguese Ricardo Monsanto, and Timor-Leste (201st), led by Zé Pedro.
Carlos Queiroz will be the sole Portuguese coach at the 2026 World Cup, with his Ghana team ranked 73rd. Guinea, managed by Paulo Duarte, dropped to 81st, while Kuwait, under Hélio Sousa, rose to 133rd.
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