The Zimbabwean national football team, known as the Warriors, has moved up five places in the most recent FIFA rankings, now sitting at 124th in the world.
This rise in ranking is thanks to the Warriors’ strong performances during the September international break, where they played two goalless draws against Kenya and Cameroon, who are five-time African champions, in the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
These results earned them nine points, contributing to a total of 1135 points and allowing them to gain five spots in the rankings. In Africa, they also improved their position by five, now ranking at 34th.
Building on this momentum, the Warriors are looking forward to their upcoming matches against Namibia, set for October 11th and 15th. However, the venues for these matches are still to be confirmed, as both Zimbabwe and Namibia cannot host international matches at home due to issues with their stadiums not meeting standards set by CAF.
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In the global rankings, Argentina remains in first place, while Morocco continues to lead in Africa.
Top 10 FIFA World Rankings:
1. Argentina
2. France
3. Spain
4. England
5. Brazil
6. Belgium
7. Netherlands
8. Portugal
9. Colombia
10. Italy
Top 10 African Rankings:
1. Morocco
2. Senegal
3. Egypt
4. Ivory Coast
5. Tunisia
6. Nigeria
7. Algeria
8. Cameroon
9. Mali
10. DRC
The FIFA World Rankings are important in football, even though they depend on a complex system that considers match results, the strength of opponents, and whether games are played at home or away. Teams are placed according to their rankings, which affects their group draws and potential opponents in qualification matches, impacting their chances of reaching the World Cup.
These rankings also play a role in seeding for tournaments like the Confederations Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup. A high ranking not only showcases a nation’s football ability but also brings national pride and can enhance the popularity and financial success of the national team. Additionally, a player’s market value can be influenced by their national team’s ranking, with players from higher-ranked teams often commanding higher transfer fees.
