Asian champion Qatar and African champion Ivory Coast rise into top 40 of FIFA men’s rankings

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ZURICH (AP) – Asian Cup winner Qatar and new African champion Ivory Coast moved up into the top 40 of the FIFA men’s world rankings on Thursday.

Qatar’s team lift the trophy after winning the AFC Asian Cup final match between Qatar and Jordan at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. PHOTO: AP

Qatar retaining its Asian title fuelled a rise of 21 places to No 37 – its highest in the rankings’ 32-year history – and Ivory Coast moved up 10 to No 39. Ivory Coast was No 12 in 2013.

The top 10 led by 2022 World Cup winner Argentina stayed unchanged as South American and European teams have not played competitive games this year. France is No 2 and England is No 3.

Morocco at No 12 is the highest ranked team from outside the two most powerful continents. The 2022 World Cup semifinalist rose one place despite exiting the Africa Cup of Nations in the round of 16 against South Africa.

Ivory Coast ‘s Max-Alain Gradel lifts the trophy after winning the African Cup of Nations final football match between Nigeria and Ivory Coast, at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. PHOTO: AP

Japan is highest of the Asian teams at No 18 after losing in the Asian Cup quarterfinals.

The two beaten finalists last weekend also made big moves. Nigeria is No 28, up 14, and Jordan rose 17 places to No 70.

The United States is No 13, dropping one place in a swap with Morocco, and Mexico is No 15.

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