How are the Fifa world rankings decided?

How are the Fifa world rankings decided?ByJonty ColmanBBC Sport journalistPublished2 hours agoThe Fifa Men's world rankings are used to decide the ranking order of the best national teams in world football.First introduced in 1992, the system is used to depict how strong a team is, and the position of those rankings can be used in tournaments to determine seeding positions in World Cups and more.Only eight nations have ever led the world rankings. France are currently top, while Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain have also spent time at the top of the table.A points system is used to determine the rankings of nations and since 2018, has adopted the ‘Elo’ rating system that is used in chess.BBC Sport have looked at how the rankings work and where every nation competing at the 2026 World Cup is currently ranked.Get in touchSend us your questionsContact formContact formHow do the Fifa world rankings work?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England are ranked fourth place ahead of the start of the 2026 Fifa World CupSince the introduction of the Elo system, the Fifa ranking points of each nation are adapter after every single match they play.In short, the more important a match is and the more difficult an opponent is, the more ranking points are on offer for that match.Fifa uses the following equation to work out how many ranking points are on offer for each specific match.P = Pbefore + I(W – We)P – nation's ranking points after that matchPbefore – nation's ranking points prior to that matchI – Importance coefficient of that match, ranked between 5 and 60W – The result of a match, with 0 for a draw, 1 for a win, 0.5 for a draw or penalty shootout defeat and 0.75 for a penalty shootout victoryWe – Expected result of a game based on the equation (1/10exp(-(difference in teams ratings before match)/600) +1)))Where are the 2026 World Cup nations in Fifa's World Rankings?Of the 48 nations competing at the 2026 Worl...