It’s official – Spain has overtaken the United States to claim second place in the FIFA rankings, while Sweden remains at the top spot. This marks the first time since April 2018 that the US has not been in the top two of the rankings.
The Spanish national team has been on a roll lately, winning the UEFA Nations League and reaching the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup. Their success has been rewarded with a jump of five places in the rankings, from seventh to second. This is the highest ranking Spain has ever achieved in the FIFA rankings.
Meanwhile, Sweden has held onto its place at the top of the rankings for the past two years. The Swedes have been consistently strong in international competition, reaching the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup and winning the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
The US team has had a disappointing year, failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and suffering a shock defeat to Trinidad and Tobago in their final qualifying match. This has resulted in a drop of four places in the rankings, from second to sixth.
The new rankings are a sign of changing times in international football. Spain’s rise to second place is a testament to their recent success, while the US’s fall from grace is a reminder that even the most successful teams can suffer setbacks.
It remains to be seen whether Spain can maintain their position in the rankings or if they will be overtaken by another nation. For now, though, they can take pride in their achievement and look forward to more success in the future.
