As a summer of soccer begins with the Concacaf Gold Cup, Africa Cup of Nations and Copa America, FIFA has released their latest rankings for international soccer.
There’s some bad news for the US men’s national team, as they’ve dropped six spots to No. 30 after briefly climbing to No. 24 when the list was previously released in April. The USMNT are 4-2 under new head coach Gregg Berhalter, though haven’t played a competitive match since an Oct. 10, 2017 loss at Trinidad & Tobago ensured they wouldn’t qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The highest-ranked Concacaf team is Mexico, which has held steady at No. 18. El Tri, even with several high-profile absences, are widely favored to lift this summer’s Gold Cup when the championship match is held July 7 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Mexico is now led by former Atlanta United coach Tata Martino.
Also holding status quo in the top 100 is Honduras at No. 61 and Canada at No. 78. Sticking in Concacaf, teams climbing are Jamaica to No. 54, El Salvador to No. 69, Curacao to No. 79 and Trinidad & Tobago to No. 92. Costa Rica has fallen to No. 39, while Panama has dropped to No. 75.
Around MLS, the highest ranking comes via Uruguayan international and Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro at No. 8. The No. 1 team, Belgium, has long included Toronto FC center back Laurent Ciman, though he’s not currently part of the team.
Some other MLS players at top-20 countries include Atlanta United midfielder Pity Martinez with Argentina (No. 11) and Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Guiterrez and Colorado Rapids forward Diego Rubio with Chile (No. 15).
Sounders midfielder Gustav Svensson suits up for No. 17 Sweden, while New York City FC outside back Anton Tinnherlom and Orlando City center back Robin Jansson have also been called in as of late. No. 19 Poland boasts Chicago Fire winger Przemyslaw Frankowski.
