With one week to the start of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the FIFA monthly rankings have been released today with Uganda dropping eight places to position 82.
The Cranes now have a total of 403 points, a fall from last month’s 426 points, and are now 17th in Africa.
The drop by the Uganda Cranes comes as a result of failing to win in two friendly games, a 1-0 loss to Central African Republic and 2-1 to Niger.
However, Uganda remains the best in East Africa after neighbours Kenya dropped one place to 112, Tanzania dropped by 3 places to 140, Burundi dropped by two slots to 148 and Rwanda down to 136 by 13 places.
The rankings of Africa’s representatives at the World Cup are; Tunisia (21), Senegal (27), Morocco (41), Egypt (45) and Nigeria (48).
Reigning World champions Germany go into the tournament as the number one team in while hosts Russia will be the lowest-ranked team in the tournament at 70th.
Brazil, Belgium, Portugal and Argentina complete the top five while the only change in the top 10 sees Poland up two places to eighth in a straight swap with Spain.
Azerbaijan was the best mover, moving up by 21 places, while Guyana, a country on South America’s North Atlantic coast fell hardest, dropping by 18 places.
FIFA rankings are based on the average number of points that a team accumulates over a four-year period. The ranking points in each match are determined by its result, its value and the relative strength of the opponent and their confederation. The system also has yearly basis depreciation for the value of the matches.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on July 19, few days after the World Cup.
