Malta retains 182nd place in FIFA Ranking

Following a 1-3 defeat to Slovakia last week, Malta retained the 182nd place in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking which was published on Thursday.

In Europe, Malta is still 51st. Lying just ahead of Malta are Georgia (122, up 4), Latvia (124, down 13), FYR Macedonia (133, up 33), Luxembourg (146, down 11), Moldova (158, up 4) and Kosovo (170, down 6). On the other hand, Andorra (187, up 13), Liechtenstein (189, down 5), San Marino (204, down 1) and Gibraltar (206, down 1) are the bottom four teams in Europe.

Malta will be facing Slovenia in another match from the European Qualifiers in June.

Photo: Copyright © Mark Galea

Meanwhile Brazil capped off a fine fortnight of football as they moved to the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, reclaiming their seat at the top of the podium after a seven-year hiatus. Not since elimination from 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ at the hands of the Netherlands – being usurped in the table by eventual champions Spain and the Oranje – have A Seleção (plus 1) held the No1 position. However, recent wins over Uruguay and Paraguay in booking their place at Russia 2018 secured their return to top spot.

With 129 games played across the month there was movement throughout the table, as just 19 of the 211 member associations stood steady in their March placings. With five of those 19 within the top ten, Switzerland (9, plus 2) were the only side to break into the top ten, with Uruguay heading in the opposite direction (15, minus 6).

FYR Macedonia (133, plus 33) were the month’s biggest movers, with some strong gains coming within the top 50 too as Sweden (34, plus 11), Northern Ireland (26, plus 9), USA (23, plus 7), Greece (39, plus 7) and Japan (44, plus 7) all gained ground.