Matches in Africa highlighted a period of limited international action
No changes among the top 32 nations with Belgium still at the summit
2021 includes Copa America, UEFA EURO, Concacaf Gold Cup & Qatar 2022 qualifiers
In the first FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of 2021, a total of 43 full internationals (including one played in December 2020) were taken into account. The standout tournament in recent weeks has been the African Nations Championship (CHAN), where a total of 32 games took place. These fixtures as well as the other 11 games played have been classified as friendlies, because only players competing in the national championships of the participating countries are eligible to take part in the CHAN.
In the standings, CHAN winners Morocco (33rd, + 2), and runners-up Mali (54th, + 3) have made the most progress. Third-placed Guinea (72nd, + 1) and quarter-finalists Congo (90th, + 1) have also advanced.
Other teams moving in the right direction include Costa Rica (50th, + 1), currently back in the Top 50 after an absence of several months, Cape Verde (80th, + 1), Oman (81st, + 1), Benin (82nd, + 1), Azerbaijan (108th, + 1), Estonia (108th, + 1), Thailand (110th, + 1), Guinea-Bissau (119th, + 1), Tajikistan (120th, + 1) and Guatemala (130th, + 1).
Those teams aside, no other country has enhanced its position since December, and the Top 32 places in the standings remain unchanged since the end of 2020. Belgium, France, Brazil, England and Portugal continue to occupy the top spots, with the leading trio of Belgium, France and Brazil only separated by 37 points.
The fight for top spot promises to be an exciting one this year with a string of major tournaments scheduled (Copa America, UEFA EURO and Concacaf Gold Cup) as well as the resumption of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 7 April 2021.
| Leader | Belgium (unchanged) |
| Countries entering the Top 10 | None |
| Countries exiting the Top 10 | None |
| Total matches played | 43 (including 1 in 2020) |
| Most matches played | Cameroon, Guinee, Mali, Morocco (6 each) |
| Biggest increase in points | Morocco (+ 7) |
| Biggest rise in places | Mali (+ 3) |
| Biggest drop in points | Uganda (- 6) |
| Biggest drop in places | Uganda, Zimbabwe (- 4) |
| Countries joining the Ranking | None |
| Countries leaving the Ranking | None |
| Unranked inactive teams | Cook Islands |