The football ladder, explained
A live ranking of every international football team, built on one rule anyone can follow: beat a nation above you and take its place.
What is the football ladder?
A challenge-style ranking of all international football teams. When a lower-placed nation beats a higher-placed one, the two swap places. Draws and expected wins change nothing.
Is there a live football ladder?
Yes. The World Football Ladder updates while matches are in play, showing where each nation would sit if the game ended now, and locks in changes at full time.
How is the football ladder different from the FIFA ranking?
FIFA uses a points formula weighted by match importance and opponent strength. The ladder has no points: one result can only swap two teams, so every move is easy to explain.
Where did the ladder start?
It was seeded from the published FIFA world ranking of 11 June 2026. Every eligible international result since then has been applied in order.