Since the introduction of the FIFA World Rankings in 1992, an incredible historical anomaly persists: no nation entering a World Cup tournament as the world number one has ever won the trophy.
Current holders of the trophy Argentina, heads into this year's continental tournament as the top ranked team in the world and, they will look to defy the odds as they look to successfully defend the title.
The tournament starts on June 11 in Mexico when the co-hosts plays South Africa in the opening game.
Here is the historical precedent since the FIFA rankings started.
In 1994, Germany were the top ranked team in the world going into the tournament hosted by the United States.
They went out in the quarterfinals as the tournament was won by Brazil for a fourth time.
At the 1998 event in France, Brazil finished runners-up to the French when they were the top ranked team in the world going into the Mundial.
In 2002 in South Korea and Japan, when France were defending champions and the number one ranked in the world, they exited the competition at the group stage as Brazil claimed a historic fifth crown.
Brazil in 2006, entered the tournament in Germany as top seeds, but the Selecao were knocked out at the Brazil quarter-final stage as Italy won the title for a fourth time.
In 2014, Spain as the top ranked team in the world, were booted out of the tournament at the group stage in Brazil as the event was won by Germany.
At the Russia 2018 tournament, defending champions and top seeds Germany, went out at the group stage as France won the title for a second time.
At the last edition in Qatar in 2022, Brazil were the top ranked team in the world, but they lost out to Croatia at the quarter-final stage with Argentina going in the win the competition for a third time.
Heading into the 2026 edition, current leaders Argentina hold the top spot and, they will look to break this hoodoo and, set a new precedent.
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