Germany slip further in FIFA rankings after World Cup exit
Following their early exit at the 2026 World Cup - a 1-1 draw with Paraguay on June 29, 2026 - the German national team has dropped four places in the FIFA rankings. The side, managed by Hansi Flick, now sits in 12th position after previously occupying 10th. The updated rankings were released immediately after Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final on July 20, 2026.
Who has leapfrogged Germany?
Spain now tops the rankings after defeating Argentina in the final. France follows in third, England in fourth after winning the third-place playoff 6-4 against France. Ahead of Germany are Brazil (fifth), Morocco, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Colombia.
Norway stands out as the biggest climber. The team reached the quarterfinals and surged 12 places to 19th. Brazil, meanwhile, exited in the Round of 16 after a 1-2 loss to Norway.
Why the drop isn’t a fluke
The early exit at the 2026 World Cup directly impacted Germany’s ranking points. While other teams gained through strong performances, the DFB-Elf lost ground. Norway’s quarterfinal run was particularly surprising.
Germany’s recent form shows a mixed picture: three wins, one draw, and one loss in the last five matches (3W-1D-1L). The most recent result was that 1-1 draw with Paraguay. The next fixture comes on September 24, 2026, in the Netherlands.
What the ranking drop means for the future
Falling in the rankings could affect Germany’s seeding in upcoming qualification and tournament draws. Lower rankings often mean tougher early opponents. Still, the team remains a top contender with ambitions for future titles.
The next chance to bounce back comes quickly: on September 24, 2026, in Amsterdam against the Netherlands.
