FIFA Rankings July 2025: Portugal Climbs, Oranje Drops Despite Wins

FIFA Rankings Shake-Up: Portugal Rises, Netherlands Slides

Global football’s hierarchy has shifted again. With major international fixtures recently concluded, FIFA’s updated world rankings have reshuffled the pack — and some moves might raise a few eyebrows.

Big Winners: Portugal, Germany & Mexico

Portugal was the standout this cycle. The team not only won the UEFA Nations League but did so in dramatic fashion: first knocking out Germany in the semi-finals, then defeating reigning European champions Spain in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. That kind of silverware, especially against such elite competition, delivers a serious punch in FIFA’s ranking algorithm — and Portugal cashed in fully.

Germany, too, finds itself back in the top ten after a run of strong results, suggesting Die Mannschaft is back on track. Croatia joins them, continuing their impressive consistency in international tournaments.

Meanwhile, over in North America, Mexico lifted the Gold Cup and now sits just outside the top ten. They’re currently ranked 13th, just behind Morocco, and are closing the gap fast.

Spain & France Cling to the Top, Argentina Still King

Argentina remains firmly in the #1 spot. Lionel Messi’s side continues to ride the wave of their World Cup glory, staying dominant in every outing. Spain and France are keeping pace, but just barely. Spain’s Nations League final loss to Portugal may have cost them the top position, but they remain firmly in the top three — a testament to their deep squad and tactical strength.

Tumble for Italy — and the Netherlands

Further down the table, not everyone is celebrating. Italy, once a top-five regular, has dropped to 11th. A surprising loss to Norway and a rather uninspiring win over Moldova weren’t enough to maintain their standing. It’s a stark reminder that reputation alone doesn’t hold weight in the FIFA points system — results matter, and so does the quality of the opponent.

And then there’s the Netherlands.

Despite winning their two most recent matches — against Malta and Finland — the Dutch have dropped a place in the rankings. That’s because FIFA’s formula rewards not just victory, but difficulty. Beating lower-ranked teams adds fewer points, and in this case, it wasn’t enough to fend off Portugal’s meteoric rise.

A Numbers Game for the Dutch

It’s a frustrating situation for Oranje fans. The national team is in decent form and winning games, but the ranking system demands more than just results — it demands big results against big names. Until the Netherlands face and beat stronger opponents, their climb back toward the elite will remain slow.

Looking Ahead

With more competitive matches on the horizon, there’s still time for redemption. If the Netherlands can line up — and win — against top-tier teams in upcoming fixtures, they could quickly return to the upper ranks.

For now, though, it’s a reality check: in FIFA’s world, it’s not just about playing. It’s about who you play against — and beating the best if you want to be the best.

Fifa Ranking top20

Here is the top20 ranking, let us know in comments where is your country of residence is at, or check it on the Fifa world ranking website.