With the Africa Cup of Nations, the UEFA Nations League and the Copa America campaigns having been concluded, FIFA has announced their latest world rankings, and there have been many changes for African countries.
Newly crowned African champions Algeria were the biggest climbers in the latest FIFA rankings. The Desert Foxes, who beat Senegal to lift the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt last week, moved up 28 places on FIFA's list to 40th in the world and 4th in Africa.
Despite finishing second in the competition, Senegal retained their top spot on the continent and are still the highest-ranked African country in the world having moved up two places to reach the 20th in the world. This is undoubtedly their best ranking yet.
The Super Eagles who finished third at the AFCON 2019 behind Algeria and Senegal gained 48 points in the rankings and went up 12 places to 33 from 45 on the global list and remains the 3rd highest ranked in Africa.
Tunisia, the other semi-finalists at the AFCON have been ranked second in Africa, behind Senegal albeit they have moved down four places to 29th in the world.
Benin, who knocked out Morocco in the last 16 went up six places to 82nd in the world with Morocco also moved up six places to 41st in the world and 5th in Africa.
AFCON hosts Egypt went up nine spots to make the top 50, moving up to 49th overall. Ghana is just below the Pharaohs and is 7th on the African list having maintained their position of 50th in the world.
Meanwhile, surprise quarter-finalists Madagascar were rewarded for their impressive run in Egypt, moving up 12 places from 108 to 96th in the world.
Belgium remained top of the global standings followed by the Selecao who climbed one spot from 3rd and overtook 2018 FIFA World Cup Winners France. England stayed in 4th ahead of Uruguay. Portugal dropped to 6th despite winning the inaugural Nations League title. Croatia follows in 7th place before Colombia, Spain, and Argentina who complete the new top 10.
Africa's Top 10 as per FIFA's latest rankings (global position and movement in brackets):
- Senegal (20, +2)
- Tunisia (29, -4)
- Nigeria (33, +12)
- Algeria (40, +28)
- Morocco (41, +6)
- Egypt (49, +9)
- Ghana (50, 0)
- Cameroon (53, -2)
- DR Congo (56, -7)
- Ivory Coast (57, +5)
- Madagascar (96, +12)
- Zimbabwe (112, -3)
Header Image Credit: Prime News Ghana