(CNN Spanish) — In Argentina, Qatar is still celebrating its title at the 2022 World Cup, in which Lionel Messi led a team to an undoubted victory over France in a penalty shootout. Always.
However, the Albiceleste did not lead New FIFA rankingThis Thursday saw: Lionel Scaloni’s team rose from fourth to second and behind Brazil, which was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Croatia.
In the statement, FIFA clarified that had Argentina beaten France in regular time in the final in Qatar, they would have moved up in the standings. Precisely the world number two completes the ranking podium.
Qatar, Croatia and the other two semi-finalists of the World Cup in Morocco, star in a significant rise in the FIFA rankings: the Europeans rose 5 places to seventh, while the Africans made history by finishing in the top four. It climbed 11 places to rank 11 for the first time in its history.
Second-ranked Belgium dropped two places at the World Cup’s group stage exit in one of the biggest disappointments of the tournament.
While Croatia was the only team to break into the top 10, Denmark suffered the consequences of their group stage exit from Qatar, dropping from 8th to 18th.
Beyond the top spots, the FIFA rankings provide some other interesting data. For example, Saudi Arabia, who delivered one of the biggest coups of the World Cup by beating Argentina in their first match of Group C, moved up two places to 49th. Place after securing four places. Africans didn’t even qualify for the World Cup.
The next update of the FIFA rankings will be released on April 6.
New ranking of teams released by FIFA. (Photo: FIFA.com)