Argentina now second in Fifa rankings, Bafana still 67th

Paris — World Cup winners Argentina have risen to second in the Fifa rankings with quarter-finalists Brazil still top, the global governing body announced on Thursday.

Lionel Messi's side, who lifted the trophy in Qatar on Sunday, move up one place, as do runners-up France, who are now third, with Belgium dropping to fourth.

Last weekend's final was decided on penalties and if one side had won the match after 90 minutes then, according to Fifa regulations, they would have gone above Brazil.

#FİFA men's ranking. December 2022.@FIFAWorldCup #FifaMensRanking #FIFARanking #FIFARankings #FifaMenRanking #Top40 pic.twitter.com/RcU5r97pw8

— FIFA World Cup United 2026 (@FIFAWorldCupUnt) December 20, 2022

Croatia have moved from 12th to seventh after finishing third in the tournament with fourth-placed Morocco now 11th as the highest positioned African nation.

South Africa, who were not in Qatar, and have not played in a World Cup since hosting it in 2010, currently find themselves in 67th place on the rankings.

FIFA rankings:

1. Brazil 1840.77 points

2. Argentina 1838.38

3. France 1823.39

4. Belgium 1781.30

5. England 1774.19

6. Netherlands 1740.92

7. Croatia 1727.62

8. Italy 1723.56

9. Portugal 1702.54

10. Spain 1692.71

11. Morocco

19. Senegal

30. Tunisia

33. Cameroon

67. South Africa

AFP