Top 30 Leagues in World Football (2026)

There are a lot of different factors as to what makes a good footballing league. Is it the competition that makes the most money? Is it the most competitive division? Is it the one with the best players or the one that is more inclined to make a splash in continental tournaments? With so many different variables at play, it is almost impossible to give a definitive answer as to who deserves to be number one.

The key word there is almost, as the experts at Opta have managed to do just that. Using their unique Power Rankings formula, the analysts have been able to whittle all the leagues in the world down to the top 30. They make their calculations by taking the average power ranking for every team in the respective division, which helps inform them about the relative strength of the competition.

Obviously, there are some divisions not strong enough to make the cut – and that includes League One, ranked 30th and ahead of the 42nd-placed Scottish Premiership. That recent debate, fuelled by Jamie O’Hara, has dominated the Scottish football landscape.

Because Opta’s Power Rankings are based on averages, that sees several leagues fall out of the top 20, but the most shocking is the money-filled Saudi Pro League, who are behind even some of Europe’s top second-tier competitions, having dropped out of the top 30 completely. But, from the Premier League to Liga MX, what about the rest?

Top League image gallery

22

Swiss Super League

There have only been three winners of the Swiss Super League since its formation in 2003. The dominant side have been reigning champions, FC Basel. The Swiss giants, who won eight consecutive titles from 2010-2017, have won the title in 12 of the 22 seasons so far. Ex-Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri joined the club in 2024 and has been integral to their success ever since.

The only two other Super League winners have been Young Boys and Zurich. The former have won the title on six occasions, while the latter have won it three times, with their last triumph coming in 2009.

21

German Bundesliga Zwei

Just not making it into the top 20 is the German Bundesliga Zwei, the second tier of German football. The biggest team currently competing in the division is undoubtedly Schalke 04. Die Königsblauen, who have been crowned champions of Germany on eight occasions, were relegated to the second tier in 2023 following financial difficulties.

The likes of Hannover 96 and Hertha Berlin also find themselves in the division, having spent much of the 21st century in the well-documented top tier of German football. None other than FC Köln hold the record for number of championships with five. Arminia Bielefeld hold the record for number of promotions from the 2. Bundesliga to the Bundesliga, with eight.

20

Dutch Eredivisie

The Eredivisie can be found all the way down in 20th, which only emphasises its unfortunate fall from grace. The division is dominated by the big three of Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord, who have never been relegated from the Eredivisie since its formation in 1956.

Once the home of teams that used to dominate European football, such as Ajax in the 1980s, the league has dramatically declined in recent years. This is particularly heartbreaking for football historians, as the financial riches elsewhere make a return to the very top of the game unlikely for Dutch sides in the foreseeable future.

19

Ecuador Liga Pro

Ecuador have produced some fine footballers over the years, with Antonio Valencia and Alberto Spencer perhaps the most revered. In 2026, there are some notable stars impressing in the Premier League too. Indeed, Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo and Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie have become leading players for their positions in Europe.

This signifies an impressive footballing period for the country, and Ecuador Liga Pro has benfited. Now into the top 20, the competiton is among the best in the world. Barcelona, based in Guayaquil (not Spain) are the most successful, winning 16 titles since the league was formed in 1957, 69 years ago.

18

Turkish Super Lig

Games between any of Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas all make for great spectacles, with all three sides based in the capital of Istanbul. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the clubs in the capital city have dominated the division, which is now over 60 years old.

Six different teams have won the Turkish Super Lig, though Besiktas have lifted the trophy 16 times. This is three fewer than the 19 triumphs from Fenerbahce, which itself is six behind the 25 league titles that Galatasaray have won over the years. Galatasaray have won the title in the past three seasons and are poised to extend that streak to four.

17

Japanese J1 League

You might look at the Japanese J1 League and think it’s a little high on the list because, aside from Vissel Kobe, there aren’t that many teams recognisable outside of Japan. The defending champions’ reputation was certainly helped by Andres Iniesta’s stint there, but the fascinating thing with the J1 is that there aren’t too many dominant teams.

Sure, there have been examples of back-to-back champions, but never has there been a team to win five on the bounce or anything close to that. It’s even evident when you look at the fact that Kobe, despite aiming to secure a three-peat, are currently in third in the table — seven points off the lead.

16

Norwegian Eliteserien

Norway is having a bit of a golden moment in football right now. They secured their place at the World Cup 2026 with a perfect qualifying campaign, ending a run of 28 years without an appearance at the finals. Premier League stars Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard were at the heart of that success.

Not only is the nation able to produce some top talents, but they are also clearly attracting and retaining some great players, with the Norwegian Eliteserien now sitting as high as 16th on this list. FK Bodø/Glimt are no doubt pivotal to that, as they continue to impress in Europe, notably beating Man City, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan in 2026.

15

Croatia Prva HNL

There is no doubt who the top dog in the Croatia Prva HNL is right now, and that has largely been the case from when the league first came to be. There have only ever been four champions across the 37 seasons of this competition’s existence, and it’s Dinamo Zagreb who have come out on top the most with 25 titles to their name.

In fact, since 2005, only twice have Zagreb not come away with the silverware, with last season being one of those as HNK Rijeka secured their second ever title. The only other team to have any sort of dominant period was HNK Hajduk Split, who were the early force in the 1990s.

14

Colombia Primera A Apertura

It might come as a bit of a surprise to see Colombia’s top division sit so highly on the list, and it certainly signifies a big improvement in the Primera A Apertura in recent times. After all, the South American competition now outranks more famous leagues like the Saudi Pro League and the Dutch Eredivisie.

Atletico Nacional are perhaps the best-known team, with the club based in Medellin one of three clubs to have played in every first division tournament in the country’s history, the other two being Millonarios and Santa Fe. Atletico Nacional have won more league titles than anyone else, with 18 in total – but Junior are current champions, most recently claiming their 11th title)​​​​​​.

13

Major League Soccer

The Lionel Messi effect has undeniably taken hold in the United States, as the league’s highest-paid player has seen his reputation elevate MLS into the upper echelon of football leagues. Since arriving in America, countless eyes have been on Messi in the country’s top tier of football, as he plies his trade with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez.

30 teams are divided into two conferences, the Western and Eastern, with teams battling to compete in a tournament at the end of the season to crown its overall winner, similar to many footballing leagues based in the Americas. LA Galaxy, with their six MLS Cups, are the most successful team in MLS history to date.