Croatia enters its highly anticipated Round of 32 match against Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament’s highest-ranked teams. While Portugal holds the edge in the latest FIFA rankings, Croatia remains among the world’s elite national teams and has consistently delivered strong performances on football’s biggest stage.
Here’s a look at Croatia’s current FIFA ranking and how it compares with Portugal before their knockout showdown.
What is Croatia’s FIFA ranking?
According to the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, Croatia is ranked No. 11 in the world.
The rankings were last updated on June 11, 2026, with the next official update scheduled for July 20, 2026.
Croatia vs Portugal FIFA rankings
Ahead of their Round of 32 meeting, the two European powers are ranked:
| Team | FIFA Ranking |
|---|---|
| Portugal | 5th |
| Croatia | 11th |
Portugal enters the knockout match as the higher-ranked nation, sitting six places above Croatia in the global standings.
Does FIFA ranking determine the favorite?
While FIFA rankings provide an indication of recent international performance, they do not determine the outcome of World Cup matches.
Croatia has repeatedly proven it can outperform expectations in major tournaments. The nation reached the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, finishing as runners-up, and followed that achievement with a third-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Portugal, meanwhile, is pursuing its first-ever FIFA World Cup championship despite consistently being among the world’s highest-ranked national teams.
Croatia’s recent World Cup success
Croatia has established itself as one of international football’s most consistent tournament performers over the past decade.
Its recent FIFA World Cup finishes include:
- 2018: Runners-up
- 2022: Third place
- 2026: Advanced to the Round of 32
Those results have helped Croatia maintain its position among the world’s top-ranked national teams.
Portugal vs Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Portugal and Croatia meet in the Round of 32 with a place in the Round of 16 on the line. While Portugal enters as the higher-ranked team according to FIFA, Croatia’s recent World Cup pedigree suggests the matchup could be one of the most competitive contests of the knockout stage.
With both nations boasting experienced squads and proven success in international competition, fans can expect a tightly contested battle as they vie for a spot in the next round.
FAQs
What is Croatia’s FIFA ranking in 2026?
Croatia is ranked 11th in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking.
What is Portugal’s FIFA ranking?
Portugal is currently ranked 5th in the world.
Which team has the higher FIFA ranking?
Portugal enters the match ranked 5th, while Croatia is ranked 11th, making Portugal the higher-ranked side.
Has Croatia ever reached a FIFA World Cup Final?
Yes. Croatia finished as runners-up at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and earned third place in 2022, making it one of the most successful national teams in recent World Cup history.