Desk Report:
Argentina’s winning streak began with the 2021 Copa America victory. Later, the Albiceleste won the Finalisima, the World Cup and the 2024 Copa America in 2022. The performance of champion Argentina is reflected in the FIFA rankings. Today, Lionel Scaloni’s team reclaims the throne after two and a half years.
FIFA, the parent organization of world football, updated the rankings today. According to the new rankings, Argentina has dropped two places to number three. Their arch-rival Brazil has also declined. Brazil, which dropped one place, is now at number 6. Both teams lost their last matches in the World Cup qualifiers. Ecuador defeated Argentina 1-0 on September 10. After this loss, Argentina’s points decreased from 1885.36 to 1870.32. This means that the Albiceleste has lost 15.04 points. Brazil has lost more points than them. The five-time world champions’ points are now 1761.6, down 16.09 points. Brazil lost 1-0 to Bolivia on September 10.
Spain has taken over Argentina’s lost throne. The Spanish are now at the top of the rankings with 1875.37 points. They have moved up one place. France, who are in second place, have 1870.92 points. They have also moved up one place. The Spanish won both of their two matches in the European qualifiers in September. In which Spain defeated Turkey 6-0 on the night of September 7. The biggest thing is that Spain has reached the top of the FIFA rankings after 11 years. They last reached the top of the FIFA rankings in 2014.
Slovakia has made the biggest jump in the newly updated rankings. They are now at number 42, up 10 places. Their points have increased by 25.31 points and are now at number 1491.87. Bangladesh remains at number 184, as before. Although their points have increased by 0.23. Jamal Bhuiyan-Hamza Chowdhury’s points are now 899.24. Bangladesh last played a match against Nepal on September 6. That match ended in a goalless draw.
Bangladesh’s next match is against Hong Kong on October 9. The match will be held at Bangladesh’s ground. The Bangladesh-Hong Kong match is part of the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Bangladesh is ranked 3rd out of four teams in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Hamzad has 1 point here. Even though India has 1 point, they are in fourth. Singapore and Hong Kong, who are in the top two of the points list, both have 4 points. Meanwhile, Argentina has been at the top of the FIFA rankings since April 2023. They lost that throne today. FIFA will update the next rankings on October 23.
