FIFA World Rankings: Argentina Tops, Morocco climbs one spot and India falls

The FIFA World Rankings have recently been updated and some major moves have taken place. The recent conclusion of major international tournaments has played a big part in this movement.

Argentina have retained their number one spot with 1855.2 points, with France breathing down their necks in second place with 1845.44 points. England, Belgium and Brazil make up the rest of the top five.

There has not been any change in the top 10 rankings recently, with most of the movement taking place between ranks 11-100.

That said, let’s first take a detailed look at the top 10 teams.

FIFA World Rankings: The Top 10

As mentioned above, there has been no movement within the top 10 teams in the rankings. Each team has retained their spot.

With none of the teams having played any games in the first quarter of 2024, the rankings are likely to remain the same until the next international break.

FIFA World Rankings: Top Gainers

Angola | 24 Spots | Current Rank: 93

Angola had a great outing at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations. They topped Group D with wins against Mauritania (3-2) and Burkina Faso (2-0), and a draw against Algeria (1-1).

Angola then steamrolled past Namibia 3-0 in the round of 16 and were eventually knocked out by tournament runners-up Nigeria in the quarters (1-0).

They were previously ranked 117 and have broken into the top 100 in style.

Qatar | 21 Spots | Current Rank: 37

AFC Asian Cup hosts Qatar retained their crown on home soil in style. They won all seven of their games at the tournament comprehensively, resulting in a big jump in the FIFA World Rankings.

The Qataris topped Group A ahead of runners-up Tajikistan. They then defeated Palestine (2-1), Uzbekistan (1-1; 3-2 pens), Iran (3-2) and Jordan (3-1) in the final.

They were previously ranked 58 and will look to capitalize on their big jump.

Jordan | 17 Spots | Current Rank: 70

Jordan finished as runners-up in the Asian Cup having reached their first-ever final in the tournament’s history.

Despite finishing third in their group behind Bahrain and South Korea, Jordan qualified as the best third-placed teams. They then knocked out Iraq (3-2), Tajikistan (1-0) and South Korea (2-0), before losing to eventual champions Qatar in the final.

They were previously ranked 87 and will look to continue their ascent.

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Nigeria | 14 Spots | Current Rank: 28

The Super Eagles entered the top 30 of the FIFA World Rankings in style despite finishing as runners-up in the AFCON.

They finished second in their group behind Equatorial Guinea, having won two and drawn one. They then knocked out Cameroon (2-0), Angola (1-0) and South Africa (1-1; 4-2 pens) to reach their eighth final. Nigeria then fell to hosts Ivory Coast 2-1.

They were previously ranked 42^nd and will look to break into the top 20 soon.

Ivory Coast | 10 Spots | Current Rank: 39

The Ivorians won their third AFCON title in history after a lucky break to make it into the knockouts.

They were in fellow finalists’ Nigeria’s group and finished third behind them. However, they qualified as the worst third-placed team and did not look back since. They defeated Senegal (1-1; 5-4 pens), Mali (2-1 a.e.t.), DR Congo (1-0) and eventually Nigeria (2-1) in the final.

Ivory Coast were ranked 49^th earlier and have now climbed to their highest ranking in the last two years.

FIFA World Rankings: Biggest Falls

India | 15 Spots | Previous Rank: 102 | Current Rank: 117

India had an outing to forget at the AFC Asian Cup. They lost all their games, falling to Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria as they crashed out of the tournament.

With just one win against Kuwait in their last seven games, along with six defeats, things looked bleak for India. They have now fallen to their lowest ranking since June 2022.

Guinea-Bissau | 15 Spots | Previous Rank: 103 | Current Rank: 118

Guinea-Bissau, too, had a poor outing at the AFCON. They finished bottom of their group having lost to Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Ivory Coast.

With six defeats and one draw across their last 10 games, they were destined to fall in the rankings. Having reach their best ranking in recent history at 103 earlier, they will look to regroup and climb again.

Tunisia | 13 Spots | Previous Rank: 28 | Current Rank: 41

Tunisia finished bottom of their group in AFCON with two draws and one defeat. Despite having just three defeats in their last 10 games, recording four draws along with it resulted in their drop.

Movement in the top 50 happens very quick based on results and the Tunisians will look to re-enter the top 30 having been ranked 28^th earlier.

Algeria | 13 Spots | Previous Rank: 30 | Current Rank: 43

Algeria had a surprisingly poor outing at the AFCON as they crashed out after the group stage having finished bottom of their group. They recorded draws against Angola and Burkina Faso, with defeat against Mauritania in their last game sealing their fate.

Despite being unbeaten in their nine games prior to the defeat, recording six wins in the process, the Algerians will look to climb back into the top 30.

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