Norway top FIFA ranking climbers after 2026 World Cup

Norway recorded the largest improvement in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking following the FIFA World Cup 2026, climbing 12 places to 19th after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. The Scandinavian side impressed both on and off the pitch, with their supporters' viral “Viking row” celebrations becoming a hallmark of the tournament.

Erling Haaland and his teammates opened their campaign with a 4-1 win over Iraq, followed by a 3-2 victory against Senegal. Despite a 4-1 loss to France, Norway advanced as runners-up in Group I. They then edged past Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in the Round of 32 and repeated that scoreline against Brazil in the Round of 16, before falling 2-1 to England after extra time in the quarter-finals.

Historic ranking surges since 1994

FIFA's retrospective analysis compares countries' positions before and after each World Cup from 1994 to 2026, highlighting the most significant ranking gains.

1994: Bulgaria's breakthrough

Bulgaria benefited most from the 1994 World Cup, entering the tournament 29th in the June standings and rising to 14th in July—a 15-place climb—after reaching the semi-finals for the first time and finishing fourth. Bronze medallists Sweden moved from 10th to third, while Belgium rose from 27th to 20th.

1998: Hosts and semi-finalists soar

France, the 1998 hosts, lifted the trophy for the first time and climbed 16 places from 18th to second. The Netherlands made the biggest leap, rising 17 places from 25th to eighth after reaching the semi-finals. Croatia, in their World Cup debut, finished third and jumped from 19th to fourth, while Romania moved from 22nd to 13th.

2002: Korea Republic and Türkiye rise

Korea Republic leveraged home advantage to surge from 40th in the May standings to 22nd in July—an 18-place rise—after reaching the semi-finals. Bronze medallists Türkiye climbed from 22nd to 12th, and Senegal, who stunned holders France in the opening match, leapt from 42nd to 32nd.

2006: Ukraine's record climb

Ukraine produced one of the biggest post-World Cup leaps in ranking history, starting at 45th and rocketing to 15th in July—a remarkable 30-place climb—after reaching the quarter-finals in their debut. Ghana also impressed, moving from 48th to 25th, while Switzerland rose from 35th to 13th after reaching the Round of 16. Italy, the champions, went from 13th to second.

2010: Paraguay and Japan gain

Paraguay were the most noteworthy beneficiaries after South Africa 2010, shooting from 31st to 16th—a 15-place rise—after reaching the quarter-finals. Japan, despite exiting in the Round of 16, moved up 13 places to 32nd. Uruguay rose 12 places from 18th to sixth after finishing fourth, and Ghana climbed nine places from 32nd to 23rd after reaching the quarter-finals.

2014: Netherlands and Costa Rica tie

Brazil 2014 saw the two biggest movers make equal jumps. The Netherlands climbed from 15th to third after taking bronze, while Costa Rica went from 28th to 16th after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time—both gaining 12 places.