Team Qatar soar to all-time high in FIFA ranking

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April 4, 2024
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4-April-2024

Team Qatar soar to all-time high in FIFA ranking

Doha, Qatar: Two-time Asian champions Qatar leapfrogged to their highest-ever 34th position in the latest FIFA Ranking following back-to-back victories against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 joint qualifiers.

The Marquez Lopez’s side which defeated Kuwait 3-0 and 2-1 in the double-header recently had jumped 21 places to 37th in the previous world standings following their successful Asian Cup title defence in which they won seven straight matches.

Qatar have won all four previous matches in their group at joint qualifiers, including 8-1 and 3-0 wins over Afghanistan and India. Their fine show in the competition took them to the third round of World Cup qualifiers besides sealing their berth for the Asian Cup.  

They are placed second among Arab teams behind World Cup semi-finalists Morocco – ranked 13th in the world ranking announced yesterday by the governing body. Al Annabi are fifth best placed side in Asia behind Japan (18), Iran (20) South Korea (23) and Australia (24).  

A total of 174 matches, spanning all four corners of the globe, were played during the most recent window in the men’s international Match Calendar. Asian teams were involved in various formats, including FIFA World Cup 26 qualifiers, whereas the Concacaf zone witnessed the final phase of the Nations League. There were also several friendly matches in each of the six confederations as part of the FIFA Series 2024.