How FIFA World Rankings Work: The Points Formula Explained
The FIFA Men's World Ranking orders national teams using points. Teams gain or lose points after each official match, based on the result, the importance of the match and the strength of the opponent. Since 2018, FIFA has used a system known as the SUM method.
The formula
P = Pbefore + I × (W − We)
- P: the team's points after the match.
- Pbefore: the team's points before the match.
- I: the importance of the match.
- W: the result: 1 for a win, 0.5 for a draw and 0 for a defeat.
- We: the expected result, based on the difference in ranking points between the teams.
In short, points depend on the gap between what happened and what was expected. A surprise win earns a lot, while an expected win earns little.
Match importance (I)
| Type of match | I value |
|---|---|
| Friendly outside the international windows | 5 |
| Friendly inside the international windows | 10 |
| World Cup and continental qualifiers | 25 |
| World Cup finals, up to the quarter-finals | 50 |
| World Cup finals, from the quarter-finals onwards | 60 |
Other categories exist for Nations League and continental finals matches. FIFA's official documents hold the full list.
The expected result (We)
FIFA calculates We with this formula, where dr is the team's points minus the opponent's points:
We = 1 ÷ (10(−dr ÷ 600) + 1)
Two equally ranked teams each have We = 0.5. A team with many more points than its opponent has an expected result close to 1, so winning brings few points and losing costs many.
A worked example
Two teams with equal points play a World Cup qualifier, so I = 25 and We = 0.5:
- Winner: 25 × (1 − 0.5) = +12.5 points
- Draw: 25 × (0.5 − 0.5) = 0 points
- Loser: 25 × (0 − 0.5) = −12.5 points
Penalties and knockout matches
- In a penalty shoot-out, the winner gets W = 0.75 and the loser W = 0.5, rather than the normal win and defeat values.
- Teams do not lose points for defeats in the knockout rounds of final tournaments, so they are not punished for reaching those stages.
What the ranking is used for
Rankings influence seeding in tournament draws and qualifiers, so a good position can mean an easier path. They do not decide who plays at a World Cup, because places are won through qualification. See the 48-team World Cup format. Club competitions use a separate system, explained in our UEFA coefficient guide.
Why teams in lower positions find it hard to climb
Teams with few high-importance matches have fewer chances to earn points. Beating a much weaker opponent adds little, so lower-ranked teams need strong results against better opposition. That is why regional tournaments such as the SAFF Championship can matter for South Asian teams.
Frequently asked questions
How often are the rankings updated?
FIFA publishes updates through the year, generally after international match windows and major tournaments.
Do friendlies affect the ranking?
Yes, although they carry the lowest importance, so their effect is small.
Is there a separate women's ranking?
Yes. FIFA publishes a separate women's world ranking with its own calculation.
Can a team lose points by winning?
No. A win in normal time gives W = 1, which is never lower than We, so a win cannot reduce points.