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With FIFA actively examining plans to expand the World Cup to a massive 64-team tournament, a look at the official world rankings reveals which nations would secure a spot on football’s biggest stage.
The 2026 World Cup introduced a 48-team format spread across 12 groups of four, with the top two and eight best third-place teams advancing to a 32-team knockout stage. This expanded the tournament to 104 matches, giving more nations access while preserving standard four-team group dynamics.
For 2030, FIFA is formally evaluating a proposal to expand the tournament further to 64 teams. Originally pitched by CONMEBOL, this setup would feature 16 groups of four with only the top two advancing directly into a 32-team knockout round. I
It would create a massive 128-match spectacle, nearly double the traditional setup.
The top 64 teams in the FIFA rankings
If FIFA pushes ahead with expanding the World Cup to 64 nations, the global qualification picture changes dramatically, opening the doors to emerging footballing nations who missed out.
Here are the current rankings, according to FIFA.
1–10: 1. Spain, 2. Argentina, 3. France, 4. England, 5. Brazil, 6. Morocco, 7. Portugal, 8. Belgium, 9. Netherlands, 10. Mexico
11–20: 11. Colombia, 12. Germany, 13. Croatia, 14. Switzerland, 15. Italy, 16. USA, 17. Japan, 18. Senegal, 19. Norway, 20. Uruguay
21–30: 21. Denmark, 22. Iran, 23. Austria, 24. Egypt, 25. Ecuador, 26. Nigeria, 27. Türkiye, 28. Australia, 29. Algeria, 30. Canada
31–40: 31. Côte d’Ivoire, 32. South Korea, 33. Ukraine, 34. Paraguay, 35. Russia, 36. Poland, 37. Sweden, 38. Wales, 39. Hungary, 40. Serbia
41–50: 41. DR Congo, 42. Scotland, 43. Cameroon, 44. Panama, 45. Slovakia, 46. Greece, 47. Venezuela, 48. Czechia, 49. Chile, 50. Peru
51–64: 51. Costa Rica, 52. Romania, 53. Mali, 54. South Africa, 55. Republic of Ireland, 56. Slovenia, 57. Tunisia, 58. Saudi Arabia, 59. Qatar, 60. Uzbekistan, 61. Bosnia & Herzegovina, 62. Burkina Faso, 63. Iraq, 64. Cabo Verde.
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