The United States men’s national team has leapfrogged Mexico in FIFA’s latest world rankings, moving up to 12th, the highest position for a Concacaf representative (you can catch select Concacaf World Cup qualifying matches, including USMNT away matches only on Paramount+).
Gregg Berhalter’s side picked up four points from a possible six in World Cup qualifying last month, beating El Tri 2-0 — their third victory over their great rivals in the calendar year — in Cincinnati before drawing on the road to Jamaica. Those results saw them climb one spot in FIFA’s rankings though they are still two places short of their best position for the year, which they reached in August.
Notably while the US were on the up, Mexico were sliding down the rankings. Successive defeats against the USMNT and Canada have Gerardo Martino’s side looking over their shoulders in the Octagonal, where they occupy the third and final automatic qualifying spot for Qatar, and have also seen them crash out of the top 10 of the world rankings. Having lost over 34 points, they were the furthest fallers in the top 50 and now find themselves placed 14th in the world.
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Mexico’s slide may yet have a significant implication on the World Cup. FIFA has not yet confirmed its seeding criteria for the group stage draw but previous editions have seen the hosts and seven highest ranked teams placed in Pot One. With Italy and Portugal fighting to escape the European play offs, teams as low as Denmark in ninth could be in with a chance. The draw is scheduled to take place on April 1, leaving Mexico and indeed the USMNT with precious little time to clamber up into the seeds.
Canada could also find themselves in the draw for the tournament proper, something they only previously achieved in 1986. The Canucks rose eight places in this month’s rankings off the back of wins over Costa Rica and Mexico; in 40th place they occupy their highest world ranking since 1986.
Belgium, Brazil and France continue to be rated as the three best teams in world football whilst England and Argentina have both made the most of Italy’s wobbles in World Cup qualifying to reach the top five.