Despite playing no matches over the past six weeks, Malta climbed two places in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking and is now 144th.

Among the other European countries, Malta is ranked 50th. Just ahead of Malta is Azerbaijan (114), Faroe Islands (118, down 1), Georgia (122), Kazakhstan (123, up 2) and Luxembourg (124, up 4). Lying behind Malta is Liechtenstein (152, up 1), Andorra (202) and San Marino (203).

The next games for Malta are against Finland on March 3 at Ta’ Qali and against Germany on May 13 in Aachen.

Meanwhile the Africa Cup of Nations has had a major impact on the first FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of the year. While Spain continue to occupy top spot ahead of Brazil and the Netherlands, Egypt managed to climb 14 places to tenth place after they successfully defended their title at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

Italy is fourth, followed by Portugal, Germany, France, Argentina and England.

A total of 82 international “A” matches were taken into account for this edition of the ranking, 15 of which were played in 2009 (total of 849 “A” matches played in 2009). In addition to the 29 matches played in the Africa Cup of Nations, 11 continental qualifying matches and 42 friendlies were played.