Despite a narrow win over Luxembourg in a friendly match and the back-to-back defeats to England (0-4) and Ukraine (1-0), Malta remained 172nd in the Coca-Cola / FIFA Men’s World Ranking which was published on Thursday.

Malta is still fourth from bottom in Europe, lying just behind Moldova (164) and ahead of Gibraltar (202), Liechtenstein (204) and San Marino (211).

The next competitive fixture for Malta will be on September 12 when Malta hosts North Macedonia at Ta’ Qali in another EURO qualifier but before this game, a friendly match will be played, possibly against Gibraltar.

Meanwhile Argentina (1st) are settling into their new role as world leaders. Nearly three months on from regaining top spot in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, La Albiceleste remain out front thanks to friendly wins over Australia and and Indonesia. The top three is also unchanged, with the reigning world champions staying ahead of France (2nd) and Brazil (3rd).

There has been movement behind them. England (4th, plus 1) and Belgium (5th, minus 1) swap places, as do Croatia (6th, plus 1) and Netherlands (7th, minus 1). Newly crowned CONCACAF Nations League champions USA (11th, plus 2) close in on the Top 10, where Spain (10th) manage to remain thanks to their UEFA Nations League triumph.

There have been some major moves further down the Ranking. While Wales (35th, minus 9) dropped places, Ukraine (24th, plus 6), Scotland (30th, plus 6) and Armenia (90th, plus 7) all move in the opposite direction. Slovakia (46th, plus 5) and Greece (49th, plus 3) are back in the Top 50.