Argentina’s reign as the top-ranked team in FIFA is predicted to end despite a recent win over Brazil. ELO forecasts Spain as the new No. 1, ahead of Argentina by 10 points. The next FIFA rankings are scheduled for release in April, although Argentina continues to perform strongly on the international stage.

Argentina’s impressive dominance in the FIFA world rankings is predicted to come to an end, even after their substantial victory over Brazil. The team concluded the year 2024 ranked as the No. 1 men’s team globally for the second consecutive year, following their triumph at the 2022 World Cup and success at the 2021 Copa America.

Lionel Messi played a pivotal role in leading Argentina to their third World Cup victory in Qatar, marking his first as a player. Recently, they achieved consecutive wins against Uruguay and Brazil in their World Cup qualifiers, securing a 1-0 victory over Uruguay and an emphatic 4-1 win against Brazil in Buenos Aires. Notably, Messi did not play in either match but seemingly directed a subtle remark at Raphinha after the victory over Brazil.

Despite Argentina’s ongoing international success, ELO’s supercomputer analyses suggest that Spain will emerge as the new No. 1, ranking them 10 points ahead of Argentina with a total of 2150 versus 2140. This forecast does not guarantee Spain’s placement in the official FIFA rankings but positions the European champions above the South American giants.

Spain captured the title in last summer’s European Championship, defeating England 2-1 in the final. They also advanced to the semi-finals of the Nations League after a dramatic 5-4 victory on penalties against the Netherlands. Spain’s last spell at the top was in 2014, just before they were eliminated from the World Cup, which Germany won after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time.

The current rankings also see France, England, and Brazil occupying the third, fourth, and fifth positions, respectively, while Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Colombia, and Uruguay complete the top ten. Italy, Japan, Belgium, and Mexico are represented within the top 25.

In conclusion, while Argentina has enjoyed significant success, their reign as the top-ranked team is anticipated to conclude soon, as predicted by ELO. Spain’s rise in the rankings, bolstered by their recent achievements, positions them as formidable contenders. The official FIFA rankings will provide clarity in April, solidifying the competitive landscape of international football.

Original Source: www.sportbible.com

Related posts:

Brazil Faces Major Struggles With Player Absences Ahead of Argentina Showdown Brazil Coach Dorival Jr. Sees Progress Amid Pressure Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers Neymar Returns to Brazil National Team for March 2025 World Cup Qualifiers Thiago Almada Shines With Stunning Goal in Argentina’s Victory Over Uruguay