THUR. 06 APRIL 2023-theGBJournal | Six years after last topping the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, Argentina (1st, plus 1) are once again at the summit of world football. Recent friendly wins against Panama (2-0) and Curaçao (7-0) helped the world champions dethrone Brazil (3rd, minus 2), who paid a high price for defeat in their friendly against Morocco (2-1).
Not only did A Seleçao surrender top spot, but they also saw France (2nd, plus 1) move ahead of them. Les Bleus’ ascent to second is down to back-to-back wins in UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying against the Netherlands (4-0) and Republic of Ireland (1-0).
Outside the leading trio, there were no other movers among the Top 10. Belgium (4th, -) remain just outside the podium places, closely followed by England (5th, -). In fact, the swapping of places by Senegal (18th, plus 1) and Denmark (19th, minus 1) were the only other notable changes in the Top 20.
Further down the Ranking, however, there has been no shortage of movement, with the strides made by Serbia (25th, plus 4), Algeria (34th, plus 6), Egypt (35th, plus 4), and Scotland (36th, plus 6) among the most significant. Nigeria lost its place as top ranked African country dropping down to 40th, replaced by Senegal who now ranks 18th on the chart.
No less impressive is the progress of Romania (46th, plus 6) and Canada (47th, plus 6), who move into the Top 50 at the expense of Mali (53rd, minus 8) and Saudi Arabia (54th, minus 5).
However, the most improved side in this edition are Central African Republic (122nd, plus 10). By twice beating Madagascar, at the time ranked 30 places above them, Les Fauves du Bas-Oubangui rose 10 places in the global standings, outperforming other notable movers such as Namibia (106th, plus 7), Malaysia (138th, plus 7) and The Gambia (120th, plus 6).
Leader Argentina (up 1 place)
Moves into top 10 None
Moves out of top 10 None
Matches played in total 236 (plus 19 on 2022)
Most matches played Thailand (10)
Biggest move by points Central African Republic (plus 28.72 points)
Biggest move by places Central African Republic (plus 10 places)
Biggest drop by points Cameroon (minus 29.09 points)
Biggest drop by places Cameroon (minus 9 places)
Newly ranked teams None
Teams that are no longer ranked None
Inactive teams that are no longer ranked None
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