Following a narrow win over Moldova earlier this month, Malta climbed two places in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking and is now ranked 169th.
This win enabled Malta to leapfrog Andorra who now lies one place behind Malta (170, down 1). Also lying behind Malta, among the other European countries, are the three teams who form Group D1 of the UEFA Nations League – Gibraltar (197, up 1), Liechtenstein (200, up 3) and San Marino (210). On the other hand, lying just ahead of Malta, are Moldova (150, down 1).
Next month, Malta plays Liechtenstein in a friendly match on November 14 before taking on Andorra in the final match from the UEFA Nations League on November 19.
Meanwhile thirty-two qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26™, 47 for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, 79 Nations League matches and 17 friendlies were played during the recent international window, making October 2024 a particularly busy month of football and one that has led to a number of changes in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking.
The top three teams are also bunching up. Argentina (1st) are still on top, but their lead over France (2nd) and Spain (3rd) has been cut. England (4th), Brazil (5th) and Belgium (6th) have all held onto their positions. Portugal (7th, up 1) and Italy (9th, up 1) are the only climbers within the top 10, which is completed by the Netherlands (8th, down 1) and Colombia (10th, down 1), with Germany (11th, up 2) now knocking on the door.