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Jun 18, 20261
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Mexico Leads 2026 World Cup Group A with 14th FIFA Ranking
Mexico ranks 14th globally and leads among 2026 World Cup host nations, sitting three places ahead of the United States and 16 ahead of Canada. In Group A, Mexico faces South Korea (25th), Czechia (40th), and South Africa (60th), holding an commanding 11-place advantage over their closest rival.
Quick Facts
Who
Mexico national team
What
2026 World Cup Group A ranking standings
When
June 11, 2026 (ranking update)
Where
Mexico
- 2026 World Cup Group A ranking standings
- FIFA world ranking update
- First time three nations jointly host World Cup
- Mexico national team
- United States national team
Mexico holds the highest FIFA world ranking among the three 2026 World Cup host nations, currently positioned 14th globally with 1,687.48 points as of the June 11 ranking update. The ranking will remain fixed until the tournament concludes. Mexico's position places them three spots ahead of the United States and 16 spots ahead of Canada, establishing them as a clear favorite among the host nations.
In Group A, Mexico faces South Korea, ranked 25th, and Czechia, ranked 40th, with South Africa completing the group at 60th. Mexico holds an 11-place ranking advantage over their closest group rival, South Korea, positioning them as the clear favorites to advance from their group. Historically, Mexico has reached as high as fourth in the FIFA rankings on multiple occasions, though they dropped to 40th in 2015.
The FIFA rankings utilize a complex algorithm implemented in August 2018 that adds or subtracts points based on match outcomes and the relative strength of opponents. The methodology reflects the principle that higher-ranked teams are expected to perform better against lower-ranked teams. The next ranking update is scheduled for July 19, with the tournament representing the first time three nations jointly host the World Cup.
Why This Matters
Mexico's commanding ranking advantage in Group A significantly increases their likelihood of advancing to the knockout stage, making them a strong contender for the tournament despite the home-field advantage being distributed across three nations. For fans and analysts, this ranking provides a concrete baseline for understanding group dynamics and predicting match outcomes, though tournament results ultimately depend on in-game performance and momentum rather than pre-tournament standings alone.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2015
WireMexico reaches lowest FIFA ranking of 40th
Jan 1, 2026
Wire2026 FIFA World Cup begins; ranking points fixed for tournament duration
Jun 11, 2026
WireFIFA ranking update places Mexico at 14th with 1,687.48 points
Jun 18, 2026
WireWorld Soccer Talk publishes analysis of Mexico's ranking for 2026 World Cup
Jul 19, 2026
WireNext scheduled FIFA ranking update