Harambee Stars: Big Win Over Seychelles Counts for Nothing as Kenya Drop in FIFA Ranking

Harambee Stars may have thrashed Seychelles in their last 2026 World Cup qualifier but that was negligible as they have suffered a drop in their FIFA rankings.

Kenya had a bitter-sweet September international break as they came into it brimming with confidence after their run to the quarter-final of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).

However, they received a rude awakening when they suffered a 3-1 loss at home to The Gambia with Johnathan McKinstry’s men running riot in the first half, when all three goals were scored inside 38 minutes.

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Benni McCarthy’s men would improve in their following match when they thrashed African minnows Seychelles 5-0 with Ryan Ogam and Michael Olunga scoring a brace, either side of Collins Sichenje’s goal.

However, beating a side ranked 203 out of 210 in the FIFA ranking did not have any impact as Kenya have dropped two places in their latest rankings.

From the latest rankings released by FIFA on Thursday, Harambee Stars have dropped from position 109 to 111, while The Gambia, who beat both Kenya and Burundi this month, moved up eight places to position 115.

Kenya have a chance to move up next month when they play their final round of World Cup qualifiers away to Ivory Coast and Burundi as positive results against the two sides will lift their rankings.

Harambee Stars would have been in a better position had their results at CHAN 2024 been factored in but the tournament does not count as one of the international matches and therefore not considered by FIFA when determining the rankings.

Globally, Spain have moved into the top position, after jumping one position, France in second, with Argentina dropping two places to third place, while England remain unchanged in fourth as Portugal replaces Brazil in fifth position.

Morocco is the highest ranked African nation at position 11 globally, having moved up one place, with Senegal second, 18th globally, Egypt third, 35th in the world, followed by Algeria (28th in the world) and Ivory Coast (44th globally).