Rising Stars take big leap in World Rankings

The national football Harambee Stars rose five places up in the latest FIFA World Rankings published on Thursday on the back of their impressive 1-0 win over Ghana.

Stars followed that upset Africa Cup of Nations win with another 1-0 victory over Malawi in an international friendly to ensure a perfect September as they shot to position 107.

Head coach Sebastien Migne’s registered the biggest leap in terms of points, clinching 22 points – 17.9 of which thanks to their  a 1-0 win over Ghana (51st, down 6) in CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

As a result of that defeat to Kenya, the Black Stars join Slovenia (61st, down 6), as the biggest fallers of the month.

Only Ukraine, who climbed six places into 29th, recorded a better positive move with Bosnia and Herzegovina also shooting five places 34th as Ghana slumped six places into position 51 as the worst mover.

Belgium ascended into the top of the World, alongside 2018 FIFA World Cup winners France, which means that the top spot is currently being shared for the first time in the table’s 25-year history.

A pair of wins for the Red Devils (1st, up 1), including their first in the UEFA Nations League over Iceland (36th, down 4), has brought them level with Les Bleus (1st, unchanged) on 1,729 points. The only other change in the top ten sees Denmark (10th, down 1) slip below Spain (9th, unchanged).

Outside of the top ten, two Nations League wins for Ukraine (29th, up 6) over Czech Republic (47th, down 3) and Slovakia (26th, unchanged) means that they are the month’s biggest movers, while Germany (12th, up 3) have started to edge back toward the upper reaches.

Among the 154 matches played over the past month, the CONCACAF Nations League qualifiers have also resulted in some notable climbs, with Nicaragua (128th, up 4), St Lucia (166th, up 4), Belize (160th, up 3) and Aruba (185th, up 3) all moving up the table. Meanwhile, Lebanon (77th, up 2), Luxembourg (82nd, up 3) and Kosovo (138th, up 3) – the latter courtesy of their first competitive win – are all currently in their highest-ever ranking position.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 25 October 2018.

Leaders

France (unchanged) and Belgium (up 1)

Moves into top 10

None

Moves out of top 10

None

Matches played in total

154

Most matches played

Cuba (5 matches)

Biggest move by points

Kenya (up 22 points)

Biggest move by ranks

Ukraine (up 6 places)

Biggest drop by points

Burkina Faso and Ghana (down 17 points each)

Biggest drop by ranks

Ghana and Slovenia (down 6 places each)

Newly ranked teams

None

Teams that are no longer ranked

None

Inactive teams, not ranked

None

Tags:

Belgium Harambee Stars France FIFA World Rankings World FIFA Rankings

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