As main hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States are aiming to make the most of home-field advantage and invigorate soccer fans across the country.
The U.S. is set to co-host the competition alongside Canada and Mexico, but with the entire Round of 16 to be played on home soil, the Americans know they’ll have the backing of their fans as they push for a possible historic run.
Led by Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. is hoping to put its poor showing at the 2024 Copa América behind it at the next major tournament two years later.
U.S. Soccer knows that a strong performance at the 2026 World Cup could energize the country and elevate the sport’s profile globally, helping the program establish itself as a regular presence in the top 10 of the FIFA world rankings.
The Sporting News breaks down where the USMNT falls within the global soccer landscape and what that means for the team at the upcoming World Cup and beyond.
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USMNT 2026 FIFA World Rankings
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw, the U.S. men’s national team regained its spot as the top team in the North American region.
The USMNT passed Mexico in the November FIFA ranking update, moving to 14th while Mexico dropped to 15th. It is the highest the U.S. has been ranked since falling from 11th to 16th following its group-stage exit at the 2024 Copa América.
Here’s a look at the U.S. world ranking over the past two years heading into the 2026 World Cup. While the November 2025 list is the one used to seed teams for the World Cup draw, two more rankings will be released before the tournament begins in June 2026.
| Month | FIFA Ranking |
Change | CONCACAF Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun. 2026 | |||
| Apr. 2026 | |||
| Nov. 2025 | 14th | +2 | 1st |
| Oct. 2025 | 16th | 0 | 2nd |
| Sep. 2025 | 16th | -1 | 2nd |
| Jul. 2025 | 15th | +1 | 2nd |
| Apr. 2025 | 16th | — | 1st |
| Nov. 2024 | 16th | +2 | 1st |
| Oct. 2024 | 18th | — | 2nd |
| Sep. 2024 | 18th | -2 | 2nd |
| Jul. 2024 | 16th | -5 | 1st |
| Jun. 2024 | 11th | — | 1st |
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Latest FIFA rankings: November 2025
Not much changed in the Top 20 of the FIFA rankings during the November release, but there was one very notable move that made a big difference in the landscape of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Germany’s rise from 10th to ninth in the standings moved them from a Pot 2 team to Pot 1, which will make an enormous difference at the World Cup draw.
Their move came at the expense of Italy, who dropped out of the Top 10 after failing to secure automatic qualification to the World Cup, instead forced to navigate the UEFA playoff instead.
MORE: An overview of the 2026 USMNT schedule | Look back at the 2025 USMNT schedule | 2024 schedule
| Rank | Nation | Confederation | Last (Move) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Spain | UEFA | — |
| 2. | Argentina | CONMEBOL | — |
| 3. | France | UEFA | — |
| 4. | England | UEFA | — |
| 5. | Brazil | CONMEBOL | 7th (+2) |
| 6. | Portugal | UEFA | 5th (-1) |
| 7. | Netherlands | UEFA | 6th (-1) |
| 8. | Belgium | UEFA | — |
| 9. | Germany | UEFA | 10th (+1) |
| 10. | Croatia | UEFA | 11th (+1) |
| 11. | Morocco | CAF | 12th (+1) |
| 12. | Italy | UEFA | 9th (-3) |
| 13. | Colombia | CONMEBOL | — |
| 14. | USA | CONCACAF | 16th (+2) |
| 15. | Mexico | CONCACAF | 14th (-1) |
| 16. | Uruguay | CONMEBOL | 15th (-1) |
| 17. | Switzerland | UEFA | — |
| 18. | Japan | AFC | 19th (+1) |
| 19. | Senegal | CAF | 18th (-1) |
| 20. | Iran | AFC | 21st (-1) |
- Biggest climb (Top 100): Uzbekistan (No. 55 to No. 50, +5)
- Biggest drop (Top 100): El Salvador (No. 94 to No. 100, -6)
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