Italy’s victories over Estonia and Israel during the international break have helped push them one place higher in the latest FIFA World Ranking, moving up to ninth.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side strengthened their position with back-to-back wins that kept them on course for a play-off place in World Cup qualifying. With Norway still in control of top spot in Group I, Italy’s most realistic route to the tournament remains through March’s two-leg play-offs – where the ranking will determine the seeding.
The next update, due on November 21, will be the one that officially decides the pots for the draw. The Azzurri’s recent form has arrived at the perfect time to consolidate a place among the top seeds.
Latest FIFA World Ranking (Top 20)
- Spain
- Argentina (+1)
- France (-1)
- England
- Portugal
- Netherlands (+1)
- Brazil (-1)
- Belgium
- Italy (+1)
- Germany (+2)
- Croatia (-2)
- Morocco (-1)
- Colombia
- Mexico
- Uruguay
- United States
- Switzerland
- Senegal
- Japan
- Denmark
Projected Play-off Seedings as Italy await opposition
Pot 1: Italy, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland
Pot 2: Hungary, Scotland, Czech Republic, Slovakia
Pot 3: Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia, Kosovo
Pot 4: Wales, Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland