FIFA Men's World Ranking

FIFA's ordered list of men's national association football teams, calculated from their international match results using a points-based system.

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Elo rating system: A rating method that adjusts competitors' scores after contests according to results and opponents' ratings. The ranking's current points method adapts Elo's result-and-opponent-strength logic.
FIFA World Rankings: FIFA's rankings of national association football teams across its recognized categories. The men's ranking belongs to FIFA's broader family of national-team rankings.
FIFA World Cup seeding: The process of assigning teams to draw pots or positions for the FIFA World Cup. FIFA uses ranking positions to help determine World Cup draw pots.
World Football Elo Ratings: An independent rating system that ranks national football teams using an Elo-based method. It is a prominent alternative whose ratings can disagree with FIFA's list.
Seeding: The assignment of competitors to positions or groups in a tournament draw to distribute strength. Ranking positions become consequential when translated into draw pots.
FIFA World Ranking points: The numerical scores assigned to national teams in FIFA's ranking system. Point updates determine each team's position in the ranking.
FIFA World Ranking (1992–1998): The first version of FIFA's men's national-team ranking, introduced in December 1992. This initial formula established the ranking before its first major revision.
FIFA World Cup qualification: The competitions through which men's national teams earn places at the FIFA World Cup. Ranking positions can shape qualification draws and inter-confederation playoff access.
Women's FIFA World Ranking: FIFA's ranking of women's national association football teams. It ranks a separate national-team category with its own match history and calculation.
International football friendly: A national-team match that is not part of a competitive tournament or qualification campaign. Friendly results can affect ranking points, influencing teams' choices about scheduling them.