Harambee Stars reap two places up in latest FIFA rankings

The national team moved up from position 111 to 109 following a 1-0 win over Burundi in the penultimate World Cup qualifying fixture in Bujumbura last week but suffered a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Ivory Coast in the last Group F match on Tuesday.

Kenya ended the qualifying campaign placed fourth on 12 points, 14 behind Ivory Coast who returned to the global showpiece after a 11-year absence.

Uganda top the East African region at position 83 globally although they have dropped one place in the latest ranking after falling 2-1 to Algeria in the last World Cup qualifying match in G.

Taifa Stars of Tanzania are second in East Africa at 107 globally and then Kenya, Rwanda at 131 while Burundi have dropped down four places to 145.

Morocco retain its top spot in Africa despite a slight drop in the world ranking, while Algeria (fourth) post one of the most impressive climbs by moving up three places to 35 globally.

Senegal are second on the continent but 18th in the world, followed by Egypt, 32, up three places, while Nigeria complete the top five in Africa at position 41, having moved up four places.

In the world, Spain are top, followed by Argentina, France and England while Portugal completes the top five in the world.

The 12 top-seeded nations in the 48-team draw will be the three co-hosts — the United States, Canada and Mexico — plus the nine highest-ranked direct qualifiers in the updated FIFA rankings for November.

The October rankings confirmed Friday the fixtures for an African playoff bracket next month to decide which one team advances to intercontinental play. The pairings are Nigeria vs. Gabon and Cameroon vs. Congo.