Malta is still ranked 172nd in the Coca-Cola/FIFA Men’s World Ranking as published on Thursday.

The boys in red remain fourth from bottom among the other UEFA member countries, lying ahead of Gibraltar (198), Liechtenstein (199) and San Marino (210). Lying just ahead of Malta are the two countries which will be the opponents of Michele Marcolini’s side in the UEFA Nations League starting in September, Moldova (152) and Andorra (164, down 2).

The next commitments for Malta are the first two matches from the UEFA Nations League where clashes Moldova and Andorra away from home are scheduled for September 7 and 10 respectively.

Meanwhile three continental competitions and a plethora of international friendlies have been served up in June and July, with no fewer than 125 matches having been contested across the globe, generating plenty of movement in the latest edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking.

Having successfully defended their CONMEBOL Copa América crown, Argentina (1st) tighten their grip at the top of the pile. France (2nd) are still their closest challengers, after reaching the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2024. Newly crowned European champions Spain (3rd, up 5) have yet more reason to celebrate after hauling themselves into the top three of the ranking, while beaten finalists England (4th, up 1) are just behind the leading pack, having leapfrogged Brazil (5th, down 1).

Belgium (6th, down 3) now find themselves outside the top five, with the Netherlands (7th) and Portugal (8th, down 2) just behind them. Colombia (9th, up 3) may find solace in their creditable return to the top ten despite a narrow defeat to La Albiceleste in the Copa América decider, while Italy (10th) stay as they were.