Argentina have lost their place at the top of the FIFA men's world rankings after being beaten 1-0 by Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday. The defeat not only ended their reign as world champions but also saw them displaced from the number one spot in the latest rankings update.
Spain Surge to Top
Spain's victory in the final, secured in extra time, earned them 30.27 ranking points, propelling them to first place with 1995.88 points. Argentina drop to second with 1970.37 points. France, England and Brazil round out the top five, while Morocco, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and Mexico complete the top 10.
Spain's win also extended their unbeaten run to 38 international matches, a new all-time world record, as they became two-time world champions.
Post-Match Incidents Under Investigation
The aftermath of the final has been marred by controversy. FIFA has launched a formal investigation into post-match incidents, appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor. Scuffles included Leandro Paredes pushing Eric Garcia's throat and wrestling Gavi, while Nahuel Molina appeared to strike Spanish captain Rodri. The Argentine Football Federation faces potential hefty fines.
Argentina are also under separate FIFA investigation for a banner displayed during their semi-final celebrations against England, which read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Falkland Islands are Argentine"), potentially violating rules against political messages.
