Algeria Overtakes Ivory Coast as Africa’s Top Football Nation in Latest FIFA Rankings
In the latest FIFA world rankings released this Thursday, Algeria has claimed the top spot as Africa’s leading national football team, overtaking Ivory Coast in the continental pecking order. The Algerian national team, known as the Fennecs, climbed three places globally to reach 22nd position, marking a significant rise in their international standing.
Ivory Coast, previously Africa’s highest-ranked team, slipped two places to 23rd worldwide. The Elephants now share the same points tally as Denmark, highlighting the tight competition at the upper echelons of global football.
Following Algeria and Ivory Coast, Egypt maintains its position as the third-best African side, ranked 36th in the world. Ghana and Cape Verde complete the top five on the continent, holding 37th and 39th places respectively.
The upcoming 2014 World Cup participants Nigeria and Cameroon are also featured in the top ten African teams. Nigeria is ranked sixth in Africa and 44th globally, while Cameroon sits tenth on the continent and 56th worldwide. Despite their continental prominence, no African nation has yet broken into the global top 20.
The full list of Africa’s top 10 national teams, according to the latest FIFA rankings, is as follows:
Algeria (22nd globally)
Ivory Coast (23rd)
Egypt (36th)
Ghana (37th)
Cape Verde (39th)
Nigeria (44th)
Tunisia (48th)
Guinea (52nd)
Sierra Leone (54th)
Cameroon (56th)
Algeria’s rise in the rankings comes as the team prepares for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil, where they will face stiff competition in Group H. The nation’s footballing progress has been marked by strong performances in recent international fixtures, as well as a growing pool of talent competing in Europe’s top leagues.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast, despite dropping to second on the continent, remains a formidable force, boasting experienced stars and a rich footballing history. Their recent dip in rankings reflects fluctuating results but does not diminish their status as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.
The rankings serve as a crucial indicator of continental football development, illustrating the competitive nature of African football on the global stage. With the World Cup set to kick off soon, eyes will be on these teams to see if they can translate their rankings into impactful performances on football’s biggest stage.
