Canadian men jump to record No. 26 in FIFA rankings

The Canadian men's soccer team continues its record climb, jumping two places to No. 26 in the latest FIFA world rankings.

Canada was ranked 49th when American Jesse Marsch took over in May 2024.

The Canadians have climbed steadily since and surpassed their previous high of No. 33 (set in February 2022 under former coach John Herdman after an impressive World Cup qualifying run) when they reached No. 31 in November.

Canada closed out 2024 unchanged at No. 31 before setting new marks of No. 30 in April and No. 28 in July.

The Canadian men, whose lowest ranking was No. 122 in October 2014, are sandwiched between Australia and Turkey after defeating Romania (No. 51, down three) and Wales (No. 30, up one) in the September FIFA window.

WATCH | Canada's Derek Cornelius scores free kick against Wales:

Derek Cornelius scored his first international goal for Canada in a 1-0 victory of Wales, in a men's international friendly in Swansea, U.K.

Canada plays Australia (No. 25, down one) and Colombia (No. 13, up one) next month.

Elsewhere, Spain takes over top spot for the first time since June 2014. France also moves up one rung to No. 2, as Argentina slips two places to No. 3. The Argentines had been No. 1 since April 2023.

England remains at No. 4 while Portugal rises one spot to No. 5. Brazil falls one place to No. 6 with the Netherlands and Belgium unchanged at No. 7 and 8. Croatia and Italy move up one spot to No. 9 and No. 10, respectively, with Germany falling out of the top 10 for the first time since October 2024, dropping three places to No. 12.

Germany's position was hurt by a World Cup qualifying loss at Slovakia, which jumped 10 places to No. 42.

Morocco, which won eight of its nine matches since the last rankings in July, is on the verge of cracking the top 10 after climbing one spot to No. 11.

Mexico, down one at No. 14, continues to lead CONCACAF with the United States second at No. 16 after slipping one spot. Canada ranks third.

Other big movers were The Gambia (No. 115, up eight), Madagascar (No. 108, up seven), Paraguay (No. 37, up six), Uganda (No. 82, up six), Libya (No. 112, up five), Suriname (No. 131, up five) and the Faroe Islands (No. 136, up five).

Going the other way was Zimbabwe, down nine to No. 125.