Explanation
The ranking is based primarily on the World Cup, which represents the most important competition in men's international football. The system also includes the Olympic Games and continental championships, weighted according to their importance and the international strength of the respective regions.
In the men's ranking, the Copa América is awarded full continental weighting from 1963 onwards in order to maintain better historical comparability with the European Championship. Earlier editions of the South American Championship remain included with a lower point value.
The Olympic tournament holds a different position in men's and women's football. In the women's game, it is one of the leading global competitions and carries the same point value as the World Cup, while in the men's ranking it receives a lower weight due to historically changing eligibility rules and the age restrictions applied in the modern era.
In the men's ranking, the Copa América is awarded full continental weighting from 1963 onwards in order to maintain better historical comparability with the European Championship. Earlier editions of the South American Championship remain included with a lower point value.
The Olympic tournament holds a different position in men's and women's football. In the women's game, it is one of the leading global competitions and carries the same point value as the World Cup, while in the men's ranking it receives a lower weight due to historically changing eligibility rules and the age restrictions applied in the modern era.
Scoring system
| Contest | Discipline | Category | Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Championship | Global | Men | 1930-2026 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Copa America | Continental | Men | 1963-2024 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| European Championship | Continental | Men | 1960-2024 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| Confederations Cup | Global | Men | 1997-2017 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| Olympic Games | Global | Men | 1908-2024 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| King Fahd Cup | Global | Men | 1992-1995 | 4 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| Africa Cup of Nations | Continental | Men | 1957-2025 | 2 | 1 | ||||||
| Asian Cup | Continental | Men | 1956-2023 | 2 | 1 | ||||||
| Gold Cup | Continental | Men | 1963-2025 | 2 | 1 | ||||||
| South American Championship | Continental | Men | 1916-1959 | 2 | 1 | ||||||
| OFC Nations Cup | Continental | Men | 1973-2024 | 1 | |||||||
| Olympic Games | Global | Women | 1996-2024 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| World Championship | Global | Women | 1991-2023 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| CONCACAF Championship | Continental | Women | 1991-2022 | 4 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| Copa América Femenina | Continental | Women | 1991-2025 | 4 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| European Championship | Continental | Women | 1984-2025 | 4 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| Africa Cup of Nations | Continental | Women | 1998-2026 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
| Asian Cup | Continental | Women | 1975-2026 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
| OFC Nations Cup | Continental | Women | 1983-2025 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
| Algarve Cup | Global | Women | 1994-2022 | 2 | 1 | ||||||
| SheBelieves Cup | Global | Women | 2016-2026 | 2 | 1 |
New faces, gulfs in class and flawed drama: how 48 teams changed the World Cup
The first 48-team World Cup had its positives and negatives – do we need to brace for a 64-team future?
Read article
The greatest teams of all time: Hungary 1950–56
ounded in Communism and a fluid approach that proved the harbinger of Total Football, the Magical Magyars redrew the football map in the 1950s, losing one in 50 at one stage.
Read article
Ten reasons why the 1970 World Cup was the greatest ever
From Rivelino’s moustache and Gerd Müller’s hair to Peru’s iconic kit and Pelé’s audacious dummy, no wonder Mexico ’70 was the greatest World Cup ever
Read article