The ranking for each year
is as at 31 July.
A yellow
background highlights the top team, green highlights those teams that are in
a higher position than the previous year and red highlights those that are
in a lower position than the previous year. A yellow number indicates the
team's highest ever ranking at that time. |
Country |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Argentina |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
G3 |
G3 |
G2 |
G2 |
G2 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
Austria |
G8 |
G8 |
G7 |
G7 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G9 |
G9 |
- |
- |
Belgium |
G2 |
G2 |
G3 |
G3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
G3 |
G3 |
- |
- |
Brazil |
4 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
G2 |
G2 |
G3 |
G2 |
G2 |
G2 |
G2 |
- |
- |
Bulgaria |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G7 |
G7 |
G7 |
G7 |
G7 |
G8 |
G8 |
- |
- |
Cameroon |
G7 |
G7 |
G7 |
G7 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G10 |
G10 |
- |
- |
Colombia |
G2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
G3 |
G3 |
G3 |
G3 |
G3 |
G4 |
G3 |
- |
- |
Costa Rica |
G2 |
G2 |
2 |
3 |
G3 |
G3 |
G3 |
G3 |
G3 |
G6 |
G5 |
- |
- |
Croatia |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G5 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
G2 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
Denmark |
G4 |
G4 |
G4 |
G4 |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
G4 |
G4 |
G5 |
G5 |
- |
- |
DPR Korea |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G10 |
G10 |
G10 |
G10 |
G10 |
G11 |
G11 |
- |
- |
England |
G3 |
G3 |
G4 |
G4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
G2 |
G2 |
- |
- |
France |
G2 |
G2 |
G2 |
G3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
- |
- |
Germany |
1 |
4 |
G2 |
G2 |
G4 |
G4 |
G5 |
G5 |
G4 |
G4 |
G4 |
- |
- |
Ghana |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G7 |
G8 |
- |
- |
Hungary |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G10 |
G10 |
G10 |
G10 |
G10 |
G11 |
G11 |
- |
- |
Italy |
G3 |
G3 |
G2 |
G2 |
G4 |
G5 |
G5 |
G4 |
G5 |
G6 |
G6 |
- |
- |
Korea
Republic |
G7 |
G7 |
G7 |
G7 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G10 |
G10 |
- |
- |
Mexico |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
G7 |
G6 |
G6 |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
- |
- |
Morocco |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4 |
4 |
- |
- |
Netherlands |
3 |
G2 |
G2 |
G2 |
G5 |
G5 |
G4 |
G6 |
G6 |
G2 |
G2 |
- |
- |
Paraguay |
G3 |
G3 |
G3 |
G3 |
G4 |
G4 |
G4 |
G4 |
G4 |
G5 |
G6 |
- |
- |
Peru |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
- |
- |
Poland |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G7 |
G7 |
G8 |
G7 |
- |
- |
Portugal |
G4 |
G4 |
G4 |
G4 |
G5 |
G4 |
G4 |
G3 |
G3 |
G2 |
G2 |
- |
- |
Republic of Ireland |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G10 |
G10 |
G10 |
G10 |
G10 |
G11 |
G11 |
- |
- |
Romania |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G8 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G9 |
G10 |
G9 |
- |
- |
Russia |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G2 |
G2 |
G2 |
G2 |
G2 |
G3 |
G3 |
- |
- |
Senegal |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G7 |
G7 |
- |
- |
Spain |
G4 |
G4 |
G3 |
G2 |
G3 |
G2 |
G2 |
4 |
G2 |
G3 |
G4 |
- |
- |
Sweden |
G7 |
G7 |
G8 |
G8 |
G2 |
G3 |
G3 |
G5 |
G5 |
G6 |
G6 |
- |
- |
Turkey |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G6 |
G7 |
G8 |
- |
- |
Ukraine |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
G6 |
G7 |
G7 |
G7 |
G8 |
G8 |
G9 |
G10 |
- |
- |
United States |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
G5 |
G6 |
G7 |
G7 |
G7 |
G7 |
G8 |
G7 |
- |
- |
Uruguay |
G3 |
G3 |
G3 |
G3 |
G2 |
G2 |
G2 |
G3 |
G3 |
G4 |
G4 |
- |
- |
Games
included in the statistics below are those where a country has challenged a team
above them (Won or Failed)
and those where
they have been challenged by a team below them (Lost or Held).
Performance Statistics 2014-16 |
|
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Country |
2014 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2015 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2016 |
Argentina |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
- |
3 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
Austria |
G8 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G8 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
G7 |
Belgium |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G2 |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
G3 |
Brazil |
4 |
1 |
- |
1 |
2 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
4 |
Bulgaria |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
Cameroon |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
Colombia |
G2 |
1 |
1 |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
2 |
- |
3 |
Costa Rica |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G2 |
1 |
1 |
- |
2 |
2 |
Croatia |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
Denmark |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G4 |
DPR Korea |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
England |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G3 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
G4 |
France |
G2 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G2 |
1 |
- |
1 |
1 |
G2 |
Germany |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G2 |
Ghana |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
Hungary |
G9 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G9 |
Italy |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G3 |
1 |
2 |
- |
1 |
G2 |
Korea
Republic |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
Mexico |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
Netherlands |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G2 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G2 |
Paraguay |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G3 |
Peru |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
Poland |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G8 |
Portugal |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G4 |
Republic of Ireland |
G9 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
G9 |
Romania |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G8 |
Senegal |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
Spain |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G4 |
1 |
1 |
- |
1 |
G3 |
Sweden |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G7 |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
G8 |
Turkey |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G6 |
Ukraine |
G5 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G5 |
United States |
G5 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
Uruguay |
G3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G3 |
Team of the Season
2014-15 - COLOMBIA
Following the
World Cup, the lead changed hands three times. Argentina gained swift revenge
for their final defeat by beating
Germany, 4-2 in Dusseldorf,
but just weeks later, their arch rivals, Brazil proved that their 7-1 World Cup
semi-final thrashing
was soon to
be consigned to history.
Colombia then made a meteoric rise, having just reached the World Cup
quarter-finals
for the first
time. They defeated Brazil
in the
Copa América
and rose to the summit. Argentina knocked them out on penalties,
but
it wasn't enough to
knock them off the top.
Team of the Season
2015-16 - COSTA RICA
Despite the last
three World Cups being won by European teams, these rankings had been dominated
by South America during
the period, purely because
Argentina had beaten each of the World Champions, within a few months of them
winning the title, and
the subsequent lack of key
matches between the two continents. This season created the great Atlantic
divide, with Costa Rica
banishing France (the last
lingering European hope in the top four) to the second group as they proved that
their own World Cup
performances were no flash in
the pan.
Performance Statistics 2016-18 |
|
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Country |
2016 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2017 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2018 |
Argentina |
1 |
1 |
- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
2 |
1 |
G3 |
Austria |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
Belgium |
G3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
3 |
Brazil |
4 |
2 |
- |
1 |
1 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
G2 |
Bulgaria |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
Cameroon |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
Colombia |
3 |
- |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
G3 |
Costa Rica |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
G3 |
Croatia |
G6 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
- |
2 |
Denmark |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G5 |
DPR Korea |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
England |
G4 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
G4 |
1 |
2 |
- |
- |
4 |
France |
G2 |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
G3 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
Germany |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G2 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
G4 |
Ghana |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
Hungary |
G9 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
Italy |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
G2 |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
G4 |
Korea
Republic |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
G9 |
Mexico |
G5 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
G7 |
Netherlands |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G2 |
- |
- |
2 |
- |
G5 |
Paraguay |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G4 |
Peru |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
Poland |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
Portugal |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
G4 |
- |
2 |
- |
1 |
G5 |
Republic of Ireland |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
Romania |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
Senegal |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
Spain |
G3 |
1 |
2 |
- |
1 |
G2 |
2 |
- |
- |
1 |
G3 |
Sweden |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G2 |
Turkey |
G6 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G6 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
Ukraine |
G5 |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
United States |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
G6 |
Uruguay |
G3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G2 |
Team of the Season
2016-17 - BRAZIL
A quiet year
with Brazil reinstating themselves at the top after the previous season's slide.
There were convincing World Cup qualifying
victories
against Colombia and Argentina, although they lost top spot once again to the
Argentines in a friendly in Melbourne.
Team of the Season
2017-18 - SPAIN
Spain made the most
dramatic leap back up to the top by thrashing both Costa Rica, and (most
impressively) the leaders, Argentina,
by 5-0 and 6-1,
respectively. Although they lost their coach to Real Madrid on the eve of the
World Cup, they remained unbeaten
in the tournament
(only losing on penalties to the hosts, Russia), but their neighbours from
France were the ultimate winners.
Performance Statistics 2018-20 |
|
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Country |
2018 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2019 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2020 |
Argentina |
G3 |
- |
2 |
- |
1 |
G3 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G2 |
Austria |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
Belgium |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
4 |
Brazil |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
G2 |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
G3 |
Bulgaria |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
Cameroon |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
Colombia |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G3 |
Costa Rica |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G3 |
Croatia |
2 |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
Denmark |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
DPR Korea |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G10 |
England |
4 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
France |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
Germany |
G4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
- |
G4 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
G5 |
Ghana |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
Hungary |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
Italy |
G4 |
- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
Korea
Republic |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G9 |
Mexico |
G7 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G6 |
Netherlands |
G5 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
G5 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G4 |
Paraguay |
G4 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G4 |
Peru |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
Poland |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
Portugal |
G5 |
1 |
- |
- |
2 |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G4 |
Republic of Ireland |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
Romania |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
Russia |
G2 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G2 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G2 |
Senegal |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
Spain |
G3 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G2 |
Sweden |
G2 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
G3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G3 |
Turkey |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
Ukraine |
G7 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
United States |
G6 |
- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
G7 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G7 |
Uruguay |
G2 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G2 |
Team of the Season
2018-19 - PORTUGAL
Still finding it
difficult to climb these rankings, because their successes have mainly been in
Europe, but the European
Champions added
another trophy with the inaugural Nations League title.
Team of the Season
2019-20 - ARGENTINA
The coronavirus
pandemic meant that there were no ranking games at all of significance in the
first half of 2020, but in the
preceding year,
Argentina reversed their
Copa América
semi-final defeat to put themselves back into contention to challenge
the top four by
beating Brazil in the Superclásico de las
Américas. The only other noteworthy result was the re-emerging
Netherlands
putting four past the declining Germans in Hamburg.
Performance Statistics 2020-22 |
|
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Country |
2020 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2021 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2022 |
Argentina |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
G2 |
Austria |
G8 |
1 |
- |
1 |
- |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
Belgium |
4 |
1 |
1 |
- |
2 |
2 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
3 |
Brazil |
G3 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
G2 |
Bulgaria |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G7 |
Cameroon |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
Colombia |
G3 |
- |
4 |
- |
- |
G3 |
- |
3 |
- |
2 |
G3 |
Costa Rica |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G3 |
Croatia |
3 |
- |
4 |
1 |
- |
G2 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
Denmark |
G5 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G4 |
DPR Korea |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
England |
2 |
- |
- |
1 |
2 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4 |
France |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
3 |
2 |
Germany |
G5 |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
G5 |
1 |
1 |
- |
1 |
G4 |
Ghana |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
Hungary |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
Italy |
G5 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G4 |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
G5 |
Korea
Republic |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
Mexico |
G6 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
Netherlands |
G4 |
- |
- |
2 |
1 |
G6 |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
G6 |
Paraguay |
G4 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
G4 |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
G4 |
Peru |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
Poland |
G8 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G7 |
Portugal |
G4 |
1 |
2 |
- |
1 |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G3 |
Republic of Ireland |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
Romania |
G9 |
1 |
- |
1 |
- |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
Russia |
G2 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G2 |
Senegal |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
Spain |
G2 |
1 |
- |
- |
2 |
4 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
G2 |
Sweden |
G3 |
- |
1 |
2 |
- |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
Turkey |
G6 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
Ukraine |
G7 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
G8 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G8 |
United States |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
Uruguay |
G2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
G3 |
- |
2 |
- |
1 |
G3 |
Team of the Season
2020-21 - SPAIN
Aside from the
respective continental triumphs of Argentina and Italy, there were few countries
that took great strides up these rankings, but Spain twice held off the
challenge of a Ronaldo-inspired Portugal and gradually built up confidence
before putting five past Croatia in the European Championship. It was a campaign
that ended for them at the semi-final stage in an agonising penalty shootout
defeat against the eventual champions, Italy, despite Spain creating more
chances.
Team of the Season
2021-22 - CROATIA
Following
almost a year, and 17 matches in which teams were unable to dislodge their
higher-ranked opponents, two nights in June finally produced some movement.
Germany put five goals past the European Champions, whilst Croatia, who had
been slowly sliding since their 2018 World Cup Final defeat, finally exacted
their revenge, at the fourth attempt, on a lethargic French team in Paris
and dethroned the World Champions from the top of the rankings.
Performance Statistics 2022-24 |
|
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Country |
2022 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2023 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2024 |
Argentina |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
Austria |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G9 |
Belgium |
3 |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
G3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G3 |
Brazil |
G2 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G2 |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
G2 |
Bulgaria |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G8 |
Cameroon |
G8 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
Colombia |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G4 |
1 |
1 |
- |
2 |
G3 |
Costa Rica |
G3 |
- |
1 |
2 |
- |
G6 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
Croatia |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
3 |
Denmark |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
G5 |
DPR Korea |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G11 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G11 |
England |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G2 |
France |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
2 |
Germany |
G4 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
G4 |
Ghana |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
G8 |
Hungary |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G11 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G11 |
Italy |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
G6 |
Korea
Republic |
G9 |
1 |
- |
1 |
- |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
Mexico |
G5 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
G5 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
G5 |
Morocco |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4 |
Netherlands |
G6 |
- |
2 |
- |
2 |
G2 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
G2 |
Paraguay |
G4 |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
G5 |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
G6 |
Peru |
G9 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
Poland |
G7 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G8 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
G7 |
Portugal |
G3 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G2 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
G2 |
Republic of Ireland |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G11 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G11 |
Romania |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G10 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
Russia |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G3 |
Senegal |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
Spain |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
G3 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
G4 |
Sweden |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G6 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G6 |
Turkey |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
G8 |
Ukraine |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G9 |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
G10 |
United States |
G7 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
G8 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
G7 |
Uruguay |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
G4 |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
G4 |
Team of the Season
2022-23 - CROATIA
A season
dominated by the first winter World Cup in the northern hemisphere, saw Croatia
enter the tournament in first place, but an ageing squad still made the
semi-finals before losing to the eventual winners, Argentina. They followed that
up by reaching the Nations League Final, impressively beating the hosts in
Rotterdam, but lost out to Spain on penalties in yet another near miss.
Team of the Season
2023-24 - COLOMBIA
Although Spain
were hugely impressive in winning the European Championship, their efforts
in these rankings were negated by a friendly defeat to Colombia at the
London Stadium. Argentina cemented their top spot with another Copa América,
but it was the team that they defeated in the final, Colombia who had
negotiated a path past Brazil and Uruguay, on top of the Spanish victory
that helped to earn them their creditable Group 3 position at the end of the
season.
Performance Statistics 2024-26 |
|
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Challenges |
Challenged |
Rank |
Country |
2024 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2025 |
Won |
Failed |
Lost |
Held |
2026 |
Argentina |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Austria |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Belgium |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Brazil |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Bulgaria |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Cameroon |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Colombia |
G3 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Costa Rica |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Croatia |
3 |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Denmark |
G5 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
DPR Korea |
G11 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
England |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
France |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Germany |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Ghana |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Hungary |
G11 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Italy |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Korea
Republic |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Mexico |
G5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Morocco |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Netherlands |
G2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Paraguay |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Peru |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Poland |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Portugal |
G2 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Republic of Ireland |
G11 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Romania |
G9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Russia |
G3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Senegal |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Spain |
G4 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Sweden |
G6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Turkey |
G8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Ukraine |
G10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
United States |
G7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Uruguay |
G4 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |