The U.S. men's national team was rewarded for getting out of the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup with an improved world ranking with the latest updated list out on December 22.
The USMNT moved up three spots in the FIFA World Rankings from No. 16 to No. 13 after drawing England and Wales and defeating Iran in the group stage. The Americans suffered elimination after a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
But those results were enough to see it overtake CONCACAF rivals Mexico, who could not get out of the group in Qatar and clock in at No. 16 (down from No. 13). The drew Poland, lost to Argentina, and beat Saudi Arabia in their final game, but that combination of results fell just short of overtaking Poland in the Group C standings to advance to the Round of 16.
The No. 13 ranking for the USA matches their highest finish in 2022 (also 13th in February) as they head into a 2023 calendar year that will see them play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the summer.
But the Americans will already be in action in January with two friendlies slated against No. 29-ranked Serbia on January 25 and No. 17 Colombia on January 28.
Since those two matches fall outside of FIFA's international match windows, players based in Europe will not be called up for those matches and they also won't count as much when the next rankings are out after the March window.
MORE: Who FIFA World Rankings are calculated
USMNT 2022 FIFA World Rankings
The USA men's national team has regained its spot as the best team in the North American region after its World Cup showing.
Mexico claimed that spot for most of 2022, but with El Tri bowing out in the group stage of the World Cup, and the USA advancing to the Round of 16 the tables have been turned.
| Month | FIFA Ranking | Last / Change | CONCACAF Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 2022 | 13th | 16th / +3 | 1st |
| Oct. 2022 | 16th | 14th / -2 | 2nd |
| Aug. 2022 | 14th | 14th / — | 2nd |
| June. 2022 | 14th | 15th / +1 | 2nd |
| Mar. 2022 | 15th | 13th / -2 | 2nd |
| Feb. 2022 | 13th | 11th / -2 | 2nd |
| Dec. 2021 | 11th | 12th / +1 | 1st |
MORE: Where the USA finished in the ranking of 32 World Cup teams
FIFA World Rankings: December 2022
Despite winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Argentina are still at No. 2 behind Brazil, failing to accumulate enough points during the competition in Qatar to overtake their South American rivals.
That won't bother Lionel Messi one bit after he came away with his first World Cup. But the World Cup did result in other countries make big moves (and drops).
Third-place finishers Croatia (+5 places) and surprise fourth-place team Morocco (+11 places) were two of the bigger movers up the table. While the first two teams eliminated at the World Cup, Qatar and Canada, experienced the biggest drop.
Below are the top 20 teams in the FIFA Men's Rankings released December 22, 2022.
Latest FIFA rankings
| Rank | Nation | Confederation | Last (Move) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Brazil | CONMEBOL | — |
| 2. | Argentina | CONMEBOL | 3rd (+1) |
| 3. | France | UEFA | 4th (+1) |
| 4. | Belgium | UEFA | 2nd (-2) |
| 5. | England | UEFA | — |
| 6. | Netherlands | UEFA | 8th (+2) |
| 7. | Croatia | UEFA | 12th (+5) |
| 8. | Italy | UEFA | 6th (-2) |
| 9. | Portugal | UEFA | — |
| 10. | Spain | UEFA | 7th (-3) |
| 11. | Morocco | CAF | 22nd (+11) |
| 12. | Switzerland | UEFA | 15th (+3) |
| 13. | USA | CONCACAF | 16th (+3) |
| 14. | Germany | UEFA | 11th (-3) |
| 15. | Mexico | CONCACAF | 13th (-2) |
| 16. | Uruguay | CONMEBOL | 14th (-2) |
| 17. | Colombia | CONMEBOL | — |
| 18. | Denmark | UEFA | 10th (-8) |
| 19. | Senegal | CAF | 18th (-1) |
| 20. | Japan | AFC | 24th (+4) |
- Biggest climb: Morocco (No. 22 to No. 11, +11), Australia (No. 38 to No. 27, +11)
- Biggest drop: Canada (No. 41 to No. 53, -12), Qatar (50 to 60, -10)
