Opta Ranks the 30 Best Football Teams in the World — Arsenal Take Top Spot
Arsenal have been ranked as the best football team in the world according to the latest Opta Power Rankings, with Mikel Arteta’s side finishing ahead of Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
The rankings, updated on August 8, 2026, use an Elo-based system that analyses results from more than 2.5 million matches. The model considers factors including league strength, domestic performances and results against other teams to produce a rating for clubs around the world.
Arsenal Lead the World
Arsenal sit at the summit with a perfect rating of 100 following an impressive 2025/26 campaign.
The Gunners secured their first Premier League title in 22 years and also produced an outstanding attacking record, scoring more than 100 goals across all competitions.
Although Arsenal suffered a painful defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, their overall performances were enough to see them crowned the highest-rated team in the latest rankings.
Bayern Munich also received a rating of 100 and occupy second place, while Manchester City complete the top three with a rating of 98.2.
PSG and Barcelona Among the Elite
Paris Saint-Germain are ranked fourth with a rating of 97.4 after another highly successful campaign.
The French champions retained the Champions League title and also secured domestic success, although their position behind Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Arsenal may surprise some supporters.
Barcelona are fifth with a rating of 96.3 after winning their second consecutive La Liga title. Hansi Flick’s team scored 95 league goals and won all 19 of their home matches.
Manchester United are sixth on 96.0, followed by Aston Villa in seventh after an excellent season that saw them finish fourth in the Premier League and win the Europa League.
Real Madrid occupy eighth place with a 95.1 rating, while Inter Milan are ninth on 94.7.
Liverpool complete the top 10 with a rating of 94.6.
Tottenham Make the Top 30
Tottenham Hotspur have been placed 30th in the world with a rating of 91.0.
The ranking comes despite Spurs narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side sit just behind Everton, who are 29th, while Atletico Madrid are ranked 28th.
Tottenham’s inclusion in the top 30 highlights the strength of the club’s squad despite their difficult domestic campaign.
Full Opta Top 10
1. Arsenal — 100
2. Bayern Munich — 100
3. Manchester City — 98.2
4. Paris Saint-Germain — 97.4
5. Barcelona — 96.3
6. Manchester United — 96.0
7. Aston Villa — 95.1
8. Real Madrid — 95.1
9. Inter Milan — 94.7
10. Liverpool — 94.6
Tottenham are ranked 30th, alongside several other Premier League clubs who feature prominently throughout the list.
The latest rankings provide an interesting snapshot of the current strength of European football, with Arsenal emerging as the statistical benchmark heading into the 2026/27 season.
