After winning the Euros, Italy continue to climb the FIFA Coca-Cola Rankings and are now in fifth place (1745 points, 103 more than the last update and the biggest increase of any team in that period). The Azzurri are now very close to the podium, behind France (3rd, 1762) and England (4th, 1753). It’s a sensational result for Italy, who were languishing in 20th back in May 2018 when Roberto Mancini took charge.

 

With EURO 2020, Copa America 2020, the CONCACAF Goal Cup 2021, qualifiers for Qatar 2022 and other continental competitions, the Ranking has taken 348 international fixtures into account since the previous update. Belgium have maintained their grip on top spot, despite being knocked out of the Euros at the quarter-final stage (1822). Brazil are now second (1798) after having overtaken France; the top two have a solid lead over the chasing pack.

Argentina move into sixth (1714, 31 behind the Azzurri) after victory in the Copa America. Then come Spain (1680) and Portugal (1622) with the two Gold Cup finalists rounding out the top ten: Mexico in ninth (1658) and the USA in tenth (1648).

Italy are back in action in September as World Cup qualifying continues; the Azzurri will take on Bulgaria in Florence on 2 September and Switzerland in Basel on 5 September, before hosting Lithuania in Reggio Emilia on the 8th (all kick-offs at 20:45 CEST). In October, meanwhile, it’s the finals of the Nations League where the Azzurri face a rematch of the EURO 2020 semi-final against Spain, the winner of which will play either France or Belgium. The last two qualifiers ahead of EURO 2022 take place in November: away to Northern Ireland and at home to Switzerland.