Qatar records largest climb globally in latest FIFA ranking, Al Annabi now World No. 42

In another positive development for Qatari football, the country emerged the biggest mover by ranks globally, moving 16 steps from the previous No. 58 to the 42nd-ranked team in the world in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

The team equaled their highest-ever position in the ranking with the feat, which dated back to the first edition in 1993.

The Al Annabi, who reached the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup last month, where they were narrowly edged 1-0 by eventual winners the USA, accumulated a total of 1455 points, a 57-point gain on the previous 1398 points total from the last release in May.

With the latest ranking, the FIFA 2022 World Cup hosts are the highest-ranked team in the GCC and the fifth-ranked team in Asia, with Japan ranked 24, in the top position while Iran (26-ranked), Australia (35) and Korea Republic (36) just above Qatar.

🇶🇦 #Qatar have risen to the 42nd spot worldwide in the latest #FIFARanking published for the month of August pic.twitter.com/RS6tJZzYy0

— Qatar Football Association (@QFA_EN) August 12, 2021

In the GCC, Saudi Arabia (ranked 61) comes after Qatar, followed by the UAE (68), Oman (79), Bahrain (94) and Kuwait (142).

Globally, Belgium managed to retain their top spot despite being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the European Championship. Their last-eight opponents and eventual tournament winners, Italy, moved two steps to the fifth position, just behind EURO runners-up England who maintained their fourth position. Just above that pair, Brazil moved one step upwards to emerge second in the new rankings - swapping places with World Cup champions France.

Newly crowned Copa America champions moved to the sixth, reaping the benefits of a triumphant continental campaign, while the two Gold Cup finalists broke into the Top 10. Victorious in that tournament and winners of the CONCACAF Nations League, United States (10) climbed no fewer than ten places, eight more than Mexico (9) who, despite losing in the final of both competitions, now sit one spot above their continental rivals.

A handful of other teams that did not take part in regional tournaments, such as Sierra Leone (106, +8), Eswatini (146), Puerto Rico (171), and Mongolia (185), still managed to gain ground courtesy of positive, friendly results.

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Cover Image Credit: CONCACAF