Argentina seeks to become the first men’s team since Pelé’s Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup, and rising to No. 1 in the FIFA World Rankings for the first time in almost a year just as the tournament kicks off is sure to embolden Lionel Messi and Co. as they chase victory.
The rankings have shifted following countries’ final, pre-tournament matches in the weeks ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Argentina beat Iceland and Honduras in its pair of friendlies, enough to climb two places, from third to first. The last time the reigning world champions occupied that spot was July 2025.