how France can regain first place from Argentina

By winning in Italy (1-3) on Sunday, France gave itself the possibility of ending the year 2024 at the top of the FIFA rankings. This will be the case if Argentina does not beat Peru on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.

The possibility did not really jump out at the heart of the criticism surrounding the France team since September. And yet, the Blues could end 2024 at the top of the FIFA rankings after their prestigious victory in Italy (1-3), Sunday at the end of the group stage of the Nations League. It will depend on Argentina's result against Peru on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.

France has not been first since September 2018

If the Albiceleste does not win, France will take its place at the top of the ranking for the first time since September 2018, worries the Argentine newspaper Olé. In the event of a defeat and victory for Spain against Switzerland this Monday (8:45 p.m.), Argentina will even end the year in third place. During the last ranking in October, Argentina had 1883.5 points ahead of France (1859.85). Winners of the Copa America last summer, Lionel Scaloni's men experienced a sluggish recovery in September with two victories in five matches.

They remain with a defeat in Paraguay (2-1) on Friday, a month after a draw in Venezuela (1-1) and two after a setback in Colombia (2-1). This does not prevent them from leading the qualifications of the South America Zone with three points ahead of Uruguay, second. On Tuesday, they will host a Peruvian team penultimate in the standings with only seven points at the Bombonera.

Argentina has been at the top of the Fifa ranking since April 2023, a few months after its coronation at the 2022 World Cup. Since 2018, the FIFA ranking has used the “SUMA” system, an algorithm awarding points based on results, but also of the stakes of the matches (friendly, qualifiers, etc.) on an average of the last four years. Poor performances against Colombia (-16.73), Paraguay (-21.14) and Venezuela (-8.08) caused Argentina to fall to 1,862 points, a total which could further weaken if Argentina does not beat Peru (1,854 in the event of a draw, 1,842 points in the event of a defeat). It would thus fall behind France and its 1859.85 points, or even Spain (1,844).