FIFA has just released its first World Cup rankings for the 2026 calendar year, and the results will probably leave Portugal’s national men’s team pretty content.
According to the latest pecking order, Portugal is holding steady in sixth place, with 1,760.38 points. The five countries in front of them are Brazil in fifth place (1,760.46), England in fourth place (1,834.12), France in third place (1,870 points), Argentina in second place (1,873.33 points) and Spain in first place (1,877.18 points). Holding steady just outside the top five is proving to be a chore, as the Netherlands (1,756.27 points) are just behind the 2025 Nations League champions.
Still, while Portugal should be happy with their spot, they don’t have to — and shouldn’t — only focus on locking down sixth place. They have the opportunity to surpass Brazil and move up to fifth with a friendly-play victory.
Naturally, this should be considered a primary focus for obvious reasons. Fifth place is better than sixth place and whatnot. But Portugal could also stand to send the rest of the world a message in the wake of the latest global football league rankings.
Liga Portugal is currently sitting in eighth, a drop from more recent returns. What’s more, metrics that go into determining the final order suggest that Major League Soccer could be nipping at their heels. In particular, the rise of betting on MLS from both a domestic United States and international perspective is driving the “Which league should be ranked higher?” discussion.
Make no bones about it, Liga Portugal and The Land of Discoveries at Large remain at least a couple of levels above whatever the United States is doing. But climbing the World Cup ranks just months ahead of the massive 48-team tournament would be the type of statement that reminds MLS and other leagues about the country’s persisting level of elite play.
Here is how Portugal can improve its World Cup ranking
FIFA’s next iteration of World Cup rankings will drop on April 1, 2026. Between now and then, Portugal has two “friendly” matches on its docket: one against Czechia, and one against Mexico.
As the folks over at The Portugal Post explain, when looking at the razor-thin margin separating them from Brazil, victories in these competitions could end up mattering a great deal:
“Landing in the first seeding pot for the 2026 World Cup draw could hinge on breaking into the top 5. A higher seed would, in theory, dodge early meetings with Spain or Argentina and ensure São João-night street parties last a little longer. Right now, Portugal’s Elo-based total is so close to Brazil’s that a single competitive win or loss before the draw could switch their places. The Federation’s analysts calculate that beating Czechia (ranked 17th) in March would yield roughly +6 points, enough to leapfrog the five-time world champions if Brazil merely draws its own friendly with Croatia.”
Given that Brazil must lose or draw to Croatia, plenty of fans may not see the big deal. And to their credit, they have a point.
Portugal’s current World Cup bracket is Group K, which features Colombia and Uzbekistan, as well as a to-be-determined squad who will be revealed after a playoff qualifier. That is a favourable foursome at first glance.
At the same time, Portugal has aspirations of winning the whole thing this summer. It has to be thinking about its road to the World Cup Final beyond Group Play. If they can seize Brazil’s spot and delay a potential showdown with Spain or Argentina until later in the tournament, it increases the chance they may not have to face one of them at all.
At the very least, Portugal cannot let itself slide
Failing that, Portugal must at least ensure they don’t lose one of their friendlies. Even worse than not jumping Brazil in the World Cup ladder would be squandering the slim margin separating Portugal from the Netherlands. If the squad drops down to seventh or, while much less likely, eighth place, they could be in a world of trouble almost immediately coming out of Group Play.
Beating Czechia and Mexico would at least ensure Portugal can stay put. Remember, though, it’s about more than that. Right now, the 2025 Nations League title is doing a lion’s share of the heavy lifting for Portugal’s spot on the World Cup pyramid. People already think this unit is getting a little long in the teeth when looking at some of its more important players. Anything Portugal can do to imbue that notion with doubt before the June festivities kick off would be great not only for the country’s World Cup chances, but its (already-solid) reputation.
