Argentina have become the new top nation in world football in the new FIFA rankings unveiled on Thursday, while Morocco remain in 11th place in the world and top African nations.
“Six years after occupying the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking for the last time, Argentina (1st, up 1) are back at the top of the world hierarchy. Victorious in a friendly against Panama (2-0) and Curaçao (7-0), the world champions dethroned Brazil (3rd, minus 2) who paid a high price for their defeat against Morocco (2-1)”, said FIFA said in a statement.
Not only does the Seleçao lose its first place, but it also sees France (2nd, plus 1) overtake it. The Blues indeed pass second thanks to successes in qualifying matches for Euro 2024 against the Netherlands (4-0) and the Republic of Ireland (0-1).
Apart from the leading trio, the Top 10 hasn’t changed. We find in particular Belgium (4th, -) positioned at the foot of the podium, followed closely by England (5th, -). The inversion of place of Senegal (18th, plus 1) and Denmark (19th, minus 1) is, ultimately, the only other notable change in the Top 20, notes the same source.
The best progress can be attributed to the Central African Republic (122nd, up 10). By beating twice Madagascar, then positioned 30 rows above them, the Fauves du Bas-Oubangui gain 10 places in the standings. They do better than Namibia (106th, up 7), Malaysia (138th, up 7) or Gambia (120th, up 6). The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be released on July 20.