Spain enters the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament favorites, carrying one of the highest FIFA rankings in international soccer.
Ahead of its Round of 32 clash against Austria, Spain is ranked No. 3 in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings, reflecting its consistent performances over the past several years and its status among the world’s elite national teams.
What is Spain’s FIFA ranking before facing Austria?
Spain is currently No. 3 in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings entering the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The current top three teams are:
- France
- Argentina
- Spain
Although Spain entered the tournament ranked second in the world, recent World Cup results have seen France and Argentina move ahead in the live rankings.
Why is Spain ranked so highly?
Spain has remained among the world’s best national teams thanks to its combination of experienced veterans and emerging young stars.
La Roja topped Group H at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to secure a place in the Round of 32, continuing a run of impressive performances that has kept the team near the top of FIFA’s rankings.
Spain has also enjoyed success in recent international competitions, helping maintain its position among the world’s elite heading into the knockout rounds.
Spain vs Austria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Spain will face Austria in the Round of 32 on July 2, 2026.
The winner will advance to the Round of 16, where a matchup against the winner of Portugal vs. Croatia awaits.
Austria enters the match as the underdog but has enjoyed a strong tournament, making the knockout stage after an impressive group campaign.
Current FIFA Men’s World Rankings (Top 10)
| Rank | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | France |
| 2 | Argentina |
| 3 | Spain |
| 4 | England |
| 5 | Brazil |
| 6 | Portugal |
| 7 | Netherlands |
| 8 | Belgium |
| 9 | Germany |
| 10 | Italy |
Rankings are based on FIFA’s world ranking system and are subject to change following international matches.
Spain looks to continue its World Cup run
With a top-three FIFA ranking and one of the deepest squads remaining in the tournament, Spain enters its Round of 32 matchup against Austria as one of the favorites to reach the latter stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A victory would move La Roja one step closer to another World Cup title and reinforce its position among international soccer’s premier national teams.