Italy climb in FIFA ranking after wins over Estonia and Israel | OneFootball

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.

OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso sings the Italian national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

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)

OCTOBER 14: Gianluca Mancini celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

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