Football News 19 September 2025: Spain Back on Top of FIFA Rankings, La Liga Updates & Barcelona Salary Cap

Football News 19 September 2025 brings major news: Spain have returned to the top of the FIFA men’s world rankings for the first time in 11 years. This milestone reflects their consistent performances in World Cup qualifiers and Nations League matches over the last two seasons.

Spain are now ahead of France, who slip to second, and Argentina, who remain third. Meanwhile, Germany have dropped outside the top 10 for the first time in decades, showing how far they still have to go in rebuilding their national team.

Spain’s Global Football Dominance

Moreover, it’s not just the men’s team making headlines. The women’s national team remain unbeaten in the European qualifiers and are favorites heading into next summer’s Women’s Euro. In addition, Spain’s youth teams continue to produce elite players, with several U-21 stars breaking into La Liga this season.

La Liga News – Real Madrid Squad & Top Four Battles

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have announced their squad for this weekend’s clash against Espanyol. Key players like Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Brazilian wonderkid Endrick are back in the line-up. Fans are excited to see how Carlo Ancelotti sets up the team, as Madrid remain unbeaten in their first four league matches.

Barcelona, on the other hand, face Espanyol in a heated Catalan derby. Furthermore, La Liga recently announced updated salary caps for all clubs – Barcelona’s limit is now down to €351 million, which may affect their ability to register players in January.

What This Means for Spanish Football

As a result, Spain’s return to No. 1 is symbolic of the country’s golden generation 2.0. The team is now a favorite for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, especially with players like Pedri, Gavi, and Yamal leading the attack.