The Global League Ranking January 2026 opens the new year with stability at the very top — but also with a growing sense of separation. The leading leagues remain the same, yet the distance between the summit and the chasing pack continues to widen, offering a clear snapshot of how global club football is evolving.

The Premier League has strengthened its grip on first place in the global football league ranking. Since July, the gap to second-placed La Liga has expanded markedly, driven by England’s dominance in European competition. Five English clubs finished in the Top 8 of the Champions League league phase, compared to just one representative each from Spain, Germany, and Portugal — a difference that increasingly defines the elite level.

France has quietly gained ground in the Global League Ranking January 2026. Players from Ligue 1 played a central role in the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations, contributing decisively to the successes of Senegal and Morocco. This continental impact translated into a modest but meaningful reduction of the points gap to the Bundesliga.

In South America, Brazilian clubs continue to set the pace. Another strong Copa Libertadores campaign extended Brazil’s advantage over Argentina, once again highlighted by an all-Brazilian final between Flamengo and Palmeiras. The trend reinforces Brazil’s position near the top of the world football leagues ranking.

North America shows relative stability in the football league rankings 2026, with MLS maintaining its leading status. More substantial changes are likely to emerge in the second quarter of the year, following the CONCACAF Champions Cup. One notable decline comes from Honduras, affected by two semifinal defeats in the Central American Cup.

Africa remains steady at the top of the Global League Ranking January 2026, led by Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa. The most unexpected development is Rwanda’s elevated position. This unusual rise reflects the continued relocation of Sudanese powerhouses Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh, who are competing abroad due to the ongoing civil war in Sudan and have based themselves in Rwanda this season after leaving Mauritania.

Asia follows a familiar pattern, with Saudi league still operating beyond the reach of the rest of the region. The standout mover is Australia’s A-League, which made a significant jump thanks to strong continental performances by Macarthur FC and Melbourne City in the Champions League Elite and Champions League Two. These results extend the positive trajectory established last season by Sydney FC.

Within Europe’s lower-ranked tiers, the Global League Ranking January 2026 highlights several leagues on the rise. Poland, Cyprus, Hungary, and Azerbaijan all recorded notable improvements. Cyprus and Azerbaijan benefited mainly from two clubs each competing in the Champions League, while Hungary continues to rely on Ferencváros, once again advancing from the Europa League league phase.

Poland’s Ekstraklasa stands out for a broader, structural reason. Rather than a single-club effect, the league benefits from the consistent presence of a stable group of teams in European competitions. Over the past year, Ekstraklasa climbed 17 positions and moved up two tiers — one of the most significant advances in the current football league rankings 2026.

The full Global League Ranking January 2026 is available here:

Top 100 Leagues In The World, January 2026

Yard Table, January 2026 – low-rated leagues ranking (191 leagues)