Rwanda has moved up one place in the FIFA World Rankings, now sitting at 130th globally, following recent draws in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. On Thursday, September 19, 2024, FIFA released its latest monthly rankings, showing Rwanda’s upward shift after solid performances against two higher-ranked opponents, Libya and Nigeria.
In the first two group stage matches of the AFCON qualifiers, Rwanda held both Libya and Nigeria to draws, securing a 1-1 result against Libya and a 0-0 draw with Nigeria. These results were particularly notable as both Libya and Nigeria are ranked higher than Rwanda in the global standings. Rwanda’s ability to match these stronger teams on the field contributed to an increase of 9.17 points, bringing their total to 1123 points in FIFA’s rankings system.
The tie against Libya was hard-fought, with Rwanda managing to equalize and hold on for a 1-1 result. This match was followed by an even more impressive 0-0 draw against Nigeria, a team that consistently ranks among Africa’s football powerhouses. Rwanda’s strong defensive performance in that match helped them avoid defeat and secure a crucial point in the qualifying campaign.
Rwanda’s recent improvement reflects the growing competitiveness of the national team, especially against well-established African football nations. Their rise in the FIFA rankings could boost confidence heading into future qualifying matches as they aim for a spot in the 2025 AFCON.
Globally, there was little movement at the top of the FIFA rankings. Argentina, France, Spain, Great Britain, Brazil, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Colombia, and Italy maintained their places as the top 10 footballing nations in the world. Argentina continues to hold the number one spot, bolstered by their World Cup victory in 2022.
In Africa, the six top-ranked nations remained unchanged, with Morocco leading the continent’s football rankings. Following Morocco are Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, and Nigeria. These nations continue to dominate African football, with many of them having strong showings in recent international tournaments.
For Rwanda, the challenge ahead is to continue this momentum and aim for a higher position in the FIFA rankings. The national team’s next AFCON qualifying matches will be critical in determining whether Rwanda can secure a place in the tournament, which would be a major achievement for the country’s football program.
Rwanda’s improved FIFA ranking is a sign of progress for the team, and as the qualifiers continue, their performances on the field will determine whether they can climb even higher. If the team can build on their recent success, Rwanda may soon find itself among Africa’s rising football nations.
