Audio By Carbonatix
No changes in the top ten; CAF and AFC nations are main movers and shakers; Angola and Qatar make biggest strides.
Although it is a case of as you were amongst the ten teams that lead the way in the latest edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, there is plenty of movement further down the standings following the matches contested in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations and the AFC Asian Cup.
Indeed, across the two continents, no fewer than six teams have scaled ten places or more.
Amongst the African sides, Côte d’Ivoire (39th, up 10) reap the rewards of their continental triumph on home soil, secured following an eventful tournament campaign. Beaten finalists Nigeria (28th, up 14) make significant strides but are no match for the Angola side they ousted in the last eight (93rd, up 24), who are the biggest climbers in the latest instalment of the global ranking.
In the points stakes, two-time Asian Cup winners Qatar (37th, up 21) chalk up the biggest tally (92.04 points) after capitalising on home comforts to successfully defend their continental crown. Elsewhere, Jordan (70th, up 17), who were edged out by the Maroons in the final, make good ground, as do Thailand (101st, up 12), whose journey came to an end at the last-16 stage.
Qatar’s rise sees them enter uncharted territory, with two other teams also recording best-ever rankings. Senegal (17th, up 3), who suffered shoot-out heartbreak at the hands of the eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, break new ground, while Tajikistan (99th, up 7) mark their maiden Asian Cup campaign by making a first-ever appearance in the top 100.
Other impressive performers are Equatorial Guinea (79th, up 9), South Africa (58th, up 8), Cabo Verde (65th, up 8), Namibia (107th, up 8) and Mali (47th, up 4).
Click HERE (https://apo-opa.co/3wadjGP) to view the complete ranking
The next edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking will be published on 4 April.
Leader Argentina (unchanged)
Moves into top 10 None
Moves out of top 10 None
Matches played in total 125 (including 2 in 2023)
Most matches played Congo DR, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria (8 matches)
Biggest move by points Qatar (up 92.04 points)
Biggest move by places Angola (up 24 ranks)
Biggest drop by points Vietnam (down 41.00 points)
Biggest drop by places Guinea-Bissau, India (down 15 ranks)
Newly ranked teams None
Teams that are no longer ranked None
Inactive teams that are no longer ranked Eritrea
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIFA.
Contact for African media:
AfricanMedia@fifa.org
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s tuna industry in crisis as 20 hook-and-line vessels collapse
36 minutes -
South Tongu MP launches apprenticeship programme for 159 young people
50 minutes -
The Pusiga connection behind Gertrude Atongi’s work in New York
1 hour -
Teachers took promotion exams in December to beat government clearance deadline – GNAT
1 hour -
NPA launches 2026 staff welfare week with focus on teamwork and employee wellbeing
1 hour -
Ghana, Saint Kitts and Nevis sign labour deal to strengthen protections for Ghanaian nurses
1 hour -
Delayed promotions put teachers’ retirement benefits at risk – GNAT
2 hours -
No ‘Bawumia candidates’ in NPP executive elections – Anthony Karbo
2 hours -
Over 3,000 displaced as flooding overwhelms Hohoe communities
2 hours -
Sunyani East NPP executives begin reconciliation drive ahead of 2028 polls
2 hours -
Agric Minister engages Ga Mantse on agriculture transformation agenda
2 hours -
Aayalolo expansion targets private car users, not trotro operators – Mahama Ayariga
2 hours -
KNUST, GMTF explore AI partnership to transform healthcare delivery
2 hours -
MTTD records 9,000 preventable crashes, over 900 deaths in eight months
2 hours -
UN Secretary-General expresses optimism about future, pledges support for Mahama, AU
2 hours