How FIFA Rankings Work: Explained Simply

Ever wondered why some teams climb the FIFA charts while others slip? You’re not alone. FIFA rankings are more than just numbers — they shape tournament draws, seedings, and even a nation’s football prestige. Whether you’re a casual fan or a stats nerd, this guide breaks down how FIFA rankings work in simple terms. You’ll learn the formula behind the scores, how matches influence them, and why sometimes the numbers don’t reflect what you see on the pitch. Let’s get into the real score behind those global standings — no fluff, just facts.

What Are FIFA Rankings?

FIFA rankings are a points-based system used to measure the performance of international men’s football teams. They help organize teams based on recent results and overall consistency. The system is not just about who wins the most matches, but who they beat, when they beat them, and in what type of match.

These rankings are updated monthly and are used for purposes like World Cup seedings, tournament invitations, and even shaping perception. It’s FIFA’s way of objectively comparing national teams from different continents and competitive environments.

Key facts:

• Introduced in 1992.
• Used to seed teams in major tournaments.
• Updated monthly by FIFA.

The FIFA Ranking Formula: P = M x I x T x C

Since 2018, FIFA has used a system similar to the Elo rating system — widely regarded as more accurate than the previous method. Here’s how the formula works:

P = M x I x T x C

Let’s break that down:

• P: Points added or removed after a match.
• M: Match result (win = 1, draw = 0.5, loss = 0).
• I: Importance of match (World Cup = 60, Friendly = 10).
• T: Strength of opponent (based on ranking difference).
• C: Regional strength factor (a constant based on confederation).

This means a win against a higher-ranked opponent in a high-stakes match (like a World Cup knockout) will give you more points than beating a lower-ranked team in a friendly.

For example:

• Beating Brazil in a World Cup semifinal gives you far more ranking points than defeating a mid-tier team in a friendly.

How Match Importance Affects Rankings

Not all games are created equal. FIFA assigns different weights to matches based on their significance.

Match Type	Importance Factor (I)
World Cup Finals	60
Continental Finals	50
World Cup Qualifiers	25
Friendlies	10

This means a World Cup qualifier is 2.5x more impactful than a friendly. Teams that consistently perform in tournaments or high-stakes qualifiers tend to move up faster in the rankings.

Why Opponent Strength Matters

The strength of your opponent plays a huge role in determining how many points you gain or lose. Beating a lower-ranked team gives you fewer points — and can sometimes even hurt your ranking if expected outcomes aren’t met.

The formula adjusts based on ranking difference. If you beat someone far below you, it’s expected. If you beat someone way above you, it’s impressive — and rewarded.

Example:

• If Team A (ranked 10th) beats Team B (ranked 90th), the gain is minimal.
• But if Team B upsets Team A, they get a major points boost.

This keeps the system competitive and encourages matches against tougher opponents, not just padding stats.

Regional Strength: Why Confederations Matter

This part of the formula adds another layer — based on your team’s confederation. FIFA divides the world into six regions: UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, AFC, CAF, and OFC.

Historically, UEFA (Europe) and CONMEBOL (South America) are considered the strongest. So, matches involving these confederations are slightly more weighted in terms of ranking impact.

C (Confederation weight):

• UEFA/CONMEBOL = 1.00
• Other confederations = 0.85

This means an Asian or African team needs to consistently outperform to rise quickly, while European and South American teams get full value for their wins.

Example: Ranking Impact from a Single Match

Let’s say Nigeria (ranked 30th) plays Argentina (ranked 5th) in a World Cup quarter-final and wins.

Here’s how the points are calculated:

• Match result (M) = 1 (win)
• Importance (I) = 60 (World Cup)
• Opponent strength (T) = High (due to Argentina’s high ranking)
• Confederation (C) = 0.85 (CAF vs. CONMEBOL)

The formula:
P = 1 x 60 x (based on T) x 0.85

This win could push Nigeria several spots higher, depending on previous results. It shows how one match can massively impact rankings if the conditions are right.

Monthly Updates and Calculation Window

FIFA updates its rankings once a month, typically after an international break or tournament window. This ensures that the rankings reflect recent form, not just long-term success.

Only A-level international matches are counted. These include:

• Friendlies between national teams.
• Qualifiers for major tournaments.
• Regional or world championship games.

Each new result changes a team’s total points — not an average, but a running tally. Teams do not lose all past progress, but their new total reflects ongoing form.

So if a team goes on a winning streak against strong opponents, expect them to climb quickly. On the flip side, a few bad results can cause serious damage, especially if the team was highly ranked before.

How Often Do Rankings Shift?

FIFA rankings don’t shift dramatically every month, but you’ll notice bigger changes after major tournaments like the World Cup, EUROs, or Copa América.

Factors that create big swings:

• Winning or losing against a highly-ranked team.
• Playing more high-weighted games in a short time.
• Strong performances by lower-ranked teams.

Example:

• Morocco’s deep run in the 2022 World Cup saw them shoot into the top 15 globally. That shift was powered by multiple wins against higher-ranked opponents in high-stake matches.

On the other hand, a team like Italy missing a major tournament sees fewer chances to earn points — resulting in a gradual slide down the table.

Are FIFA Rankings Always Accurate?

Short answer: Not always.

While the FIFA ranking formula is more logical today than before 2018, critics say it still has limitations.

Pros:

• Rewards consistency and strength of opponent.
• Prevents gaming the system with easy matches.
• Gives emerging teams a fair shot at climbing.

Cons:

• Heavily favors teams that play more games.
• Conflicts with real performance during tournaments.
• Regional bias still affects lower confederations.

A team might be in the top 10 but fail to perform in major tournaments — while a lower-ranked team could go deep in a World Cup but still lag behind on the list due to limited prior points.

FIFA says the system isn’t perfect, but it’s the best tool available for now. Rankings are used for seeding, not as definitive proof of who’s “better.”