Belgium fall from the FIFA rankings podium for the first time in four and a half years
The red devils were still in second place before the start of this World Cup. They are only fourth. Brazil, despite being eliminated in the quarter-finals, retains the lead. The podium is completed by the two finalists in Qatar, Argentina, world champion, will be second and France, third.
The Red Devils will drop to fourth place in the new FIFA rankings to be released on Thursday. It was the worst ranking for four and a half years for the Belgians, who were still in second place before their disappointing World Cup in Qatar.
Belgium was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup after a victory over Canada (1-0), a defeat against Morocco (2-0) and a goalless draw against Croatia. In the new FIFA ranking, the Devils will lose 35.41 points. They will see Argentina, world champion, and France, finalist, pass in front of them.
Brazil (-0.53) remains first, despite the elimination in the quarter-finals of the works of Croatia, with 1,840.77 points. Argentina (+64.55) will follow with 1,838.43 points, ahead of France (+63.68) third with 1,823.46 points. Belgium will be fourth with 1,781.30 points. Brazil dethroned Belgium at the top of the FIFA rankings on March 31.
Belgium in the lead between October 2018 and March 31, 2022
The Devils had been in first place since October 2018, after a first stint at the top of the world hierarchy between November 2015 and March 2016. Belgium will experience their worst ranking since July 1, 2018. It was then in fifth place. The fine run during the World Cup in Russia, which ended in third place, had enabled him to move up to second position and then take the lead a few months later. The semi-finalists of the World Cup, Croatia (+5) and Morocco (+11) recorded good progress, being respectively 7th and 11th. Italy (8th, -2), absent at the World Cup, Spain (10th, -3), Germany (14th, -3) and Denmark (18th, -8) will decline. Sweden (23rd) remains the best ranked among the Belgians in qualifying for the Euro, ahead of Austria (34th), Estonia (110th) and Azerbaijan (121st).