Thanks to their friendly win against Estonia and their two UEFA Nations League victories over Poland and Bosnia & Herzegovina during the most recent international window, the Azzurri have moved up two spots into tenth in the FIFA World Ranking, returning to the top ten for the first time in four and a half years (since August 2016). Italy are sixth among European sides and will, therefore, be drawn first in pot one in qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The draw will be held in Zurich on 7 December.

Belgium remain top of the World Ranking, followed by France and Brazil. Argentina have overtaken Uruguay to claim seventh spot, while Mexico, who are in ninth ahead of Italy, are back in the top ten for the first time in nine years. The next update to the FIFA World Ranking will be announced on 10 December.

The top ten in the FIFA World Ranking

1) Belgium 1780 points (-)
2) France 1755 points (-)
3) Brazil 1743 points (-)
4) England 1670 points (-)
5) Portugal 1662 points (-)
6) Spain 1645 points (-)
7) Argentina 1642 points (+1)
8) Uruguay 1639 points (-1)
9) Mexico 1632 points (+2)
10) ITALY 1625 points (+2)