After the first two World Cup qualifiers played in June (3-0 loss to Norway and 2-0 win over Moldova), Italy fell two places in the FIFA Ramking and are now in eleventh. The Azzurri are out of the top ten after almost five years (October 2020), overtaken by Croatia (10th) and Germany (9th), both moving up one position. Argentina are still top of the ranking, followed by Spain and France. Portugal gained a position, overtaking the Netherlands and moving just behind England and Brazil.

President Gabriele Gravina had the following to say as he responded to a journalist at the Federal Council: “We must roll up our sleeves, we have an important goal and all our energy will be put towards it. All together we must move in the same direction, win our next matches and make it to the World Cup, no ifs or buts.”

Behind Italy are Morocco (12th) and Mexico (13th +4), overtaking the USA (15th) thanks to their win in the Concacaf Gold Cup final against them. Costa Rica, who made the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup, are the team with the biggest climb (+14, 40th). The next FIFA Ranking will be published on 18 September.