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The latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking has been released with Senegal and the winners of the European zone play-offs among the biggest climbers.
The Lions of Teranga have risen to 23rd in the world and number 1 in Africa. This is their highest-ever position on the global ladder. They leapfrogged fellow Russia 2018 qualifiers Tunisia (27th, up 1) and Egypt (31st, down 1).
However, despite also qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, and recent victory over Argentina in an internal friendly, the Super Eagles dropped 9 places to become 50th in the world and 9th in Africa.
According to FIFA, “Europe’s play-off kings are also on the up, with Switzerland (8th, up 3), Denmark (12th, up 7), Croatia (17th, up 1) and Sweden (18th, up 7) having climbed a combined total of 18 places. The Swiss have, as a result, returned to the top ten, while the Swedes earned this edition’s highest points total following their 1-0 aggregate win over four-time world champions Italy”.
The Italians (14th, up 1), for their part, are one of four top 20-ranked teams to miss out on Russia 2018, with Chile (10th, down 1), Wales (19th, down 5), and Netherlands (20th, unchanged) making up that unfortunate quartet.
Elsewhere, Palestine (82, up 2), Luxembourg (84, up 9) and Chinese Taipei (135, up 8) all joined Senegal in reaching their best ranking positions to date. There were also notable leaps forward by Korea DPR (114, up 18), Lebanon (87, up 13), Burkina Faso (44, up 11), and Indonesia (154, up 11).
Below is a list of the 10 best teams in Africa and world according to the release
TOP 10 teams in Africa
Senegal
Tunisia
Egypt
Congo DR
Morrocco
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Nigeria
Ghana
TOP 10 teams in the world
Germany
Brazil
Portugal
Argentina
Belgium
Spain
Poland
Switzerland
France
Chile