July 18 (UPI) — Fresh off their second consecutive Copa America title, Argentina maintained their lead atop the FIFA men's world soccer rankings updated on Thursday, with Euro winners Spain surging to third and the United States dropping five places.
France, Euro runners-up England and Brazil round out the top five alongside Argentina and Spain. Spain moved up five places after beating England in the Euros final in Berlin on Sunday, while England moved up one place to replace Brazil in fourth place.
Belgium dropped from third to sixth. The Netherlands maintained their seventh place. Portugal dropped from sixth to seventh. Copa runners-up Colombia jumped from 12th to ninth. Italy maintained their 10th place.
The U.S. national team failed to advance from the group stage of the Copa America, dropping from 11th to 16th place.
Venezuela, ranked 37th and a player in the Copa America quarterfinals, was the biggest improver, moving up from 54th place.
The next update of the men's world rankings will be on September 18. Argentina has held the No. 1 spot in the men's rankings since 2023, after beating France at the 2022 World Cup.
Spain, the 2023 Women's World Cup champions, still top the women's rankings, which were last updated in June. Other top-ranked women's teams include France in second, England in third, Germany in fourth and the United States in fifth.
