FIFA announced the latest rankings for the upcoming 2024 World Cup to be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, revealing notable shifts for African and Asian teams following the Africa Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup.
Ivory Coast, led by coach Emerse Fae, celebrated their remarkable journey as “miracle survivors” after clinching the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final. Despite almost facing elimination in the group stage, Ivory Coast’s triumphant turnaround has propelled them ten places up in the new FIFA rankings for 2024, securing the 39th position globally.
In a significant move, Nigeria ascended 14 places in the rankings, now positioned at 28th globally, following their commendable run to the Africa Cup of Nations final. Angola emerged as the biggest climbers globally, surging 24 places to secure the 93rd spot in the world rankings.
However, the top ten rankings published by FIFA on Thursday remained unchanged from the 2023 ranking. Argentina retained the top spot after their World Cup victory in Qatar, while France and England secured second and third places, respectively.
The dynamic changes in rankings showcase the impact of recent continental tournaments on teams’ standings, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive 2024 World Cup.
