The United States have joined Mexico in FIFA’s top-10-ranked teams in world soccer following their recent successes in reaching the finals of the CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup.
The U.S. beat Mexico 1-0 in the final of the Gold Cup earlier this month, and both teams’ progression in that tournament has paved the way for an impressive rise in the official list.
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Gregg Berhalter’s side, which FIFA has placed 10th (a rise of 10 spots), won all six games in the Gold Cup, conceding only one goal. In the CONCACAF Nations League, which they also won, they were victorious in five out of six games.
Their World Ranking placing will be key ahead of next year’s World Cup, as it will be used to seed the draw pots for the finals. If the U.S. can remain inside the top 10, it will have a chance of being seeded and being handed a more favorable draw, avoiding other nations within the top 10 of the ranking.
It is the USMNT’s first time in the top 10 since the 2006 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Mexico, which lost in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup to the U.S., is placed one spot higher.
Mexico has been the top-ranked CONCACAF team since February 2017 and has been ranked above the United States in 61 consecutive FIFA rankings since August 2015.
It is the first FIFA rankings in 348 matches that includes Euro 2020, the Copa America, the Gold Cup and qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.
The next rankings will be published on Sept. 16.
