As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Argentina is set to reclaim the top spot in the FIFA rankings due to poor performances by Spain and France in recent friendly matches. Spain drew 1-1 with Iraq at Estadio Riazor in La Coruna, while France faced a surprising 2-1 defeat to the Ivory Coast at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes. These results mean that Argentina, which has held the top ranking since its victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, will regain its position when the rankings are updated on Monday. Previously, France had taken the No. 1 spot in March 2023, having overtaken Spain. Historically, no team has entered a World Cup as the top-ranked side and gone on to win the tournament, with several top teams, including Germany, Brazil, and France, failing to secure the title despite their ranking. This trend raises questions about the significance of the FIFA rankings leading up to the World Cup.