Croatia drops to 13th on FIFA rankings after Spain’s World Cup triumph
Croatia have dropped two places to 13th in the latest FIFA rankings after Spain claimed the 2026 World Cup title. Spain returned to the top spot, while Argentina fell to second. France and England remain third and fourth despite England’s bronze-medal win over France in the World Cup decider.
Croatia’s last result was a 2-1 loss to Portugal on July 2 2026, part of a recent run of three wins, no draws and two defeats in the last five games. Their next fixture is away to Czechia on September 26 2026, a match that could define their path toward the next World Cup.
How did the rankings change?
FIFA published the new list after Spain’s World Cup victory. Spain reclaimed the top spot, pushing Argentina down to second. France and England stayed third and fourth, even after England beat France in the third-place playoff. Brazil climbed to fifth, while Morocco made history by rising to sixth.
Portugal slipped two places to seventh, while Belgium jumped to eighth by overtaking the Netherlands. Germany dropped out of the top 10 to 12th, one spot ahead of Croatia. Italy, who missed out on the World Cup, fell to 15th. Norway posted the biggest gain, climbing 12 places to 19th after reaching the World Cup quarterfinals in 2026.
What does this mean for Croatia?
Falling to 13th isn’t just a number-it reflects Croatia’s recent struggles. The 2-1 loss to Portugal on July 2 2026 compounded the slide, and with two straight defeats, the team must react fast to secure a place at the next major tournament.
The next test comes away to Czechia on September 26 2026. Coach Vlatko Kovač will need a clear plan to stop the slide and restore the team’s standing among the world’s elite.
When is the next FIFA rankings update?
FIFA will publish the next rankings on October 7 2026. Before then, Croatia can use friendlies and the start of World Cup qualifiers to climb back up. Sitting 13th now offers room for progress, but it also signals the need for a quick recovery.
