The Canadian men have dropped two places to No. 29 in the latest FIFA rankings, despite not playing a Tier 1 international since the last ratings were released.
Canada was overtaken by Nigeria (No. 26, up 12 places) and Algeria (No. 28, up six) after their performances at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Nigeria, which finished third, and Cameroon (No. 45, up 12), which lost to eventual runner-up Morocco in the quarterfinals, were the biggest movers in the new rankings.
The Canadian men’s only action since the last ratings came out Dec. 19 was a 1-0 win Saturday over Guatemala in a B international in Los Angeles, which did not count in the FIFA rankings. Guatemala remained unchanged at No. 94.
There were no changes in the rankings’ top seven with Spain ahead of Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal and the Netherlands. Morocco returned to the top 10 for the first time since April 1998, climbing three places to an all-time-high of No. 8. Belgium, Germany and Croatia each slipped on spot to No. 9, 10 and 11, respectively.
AFCON winner Senegal climbed seven places to No. 12 while No. 107 Equatorial Guinea, down 10 places, suffered the biggest fall.
Semifinalists Egypt (No. 31, up four), former champion Ivory Coast (No. 37, up five) and Congo DR (No. 48, up eight) all made moves in the wake of the African championship.
The top five CONCACAF teams all fell down the rankings with the U.S. and Mexico each slipping one spot to No. 15 and No. 16, respectively. No. 33 Panama (down three) and No. 51 Costa Rica (down two) were below Canada.
Uzbekistan, Canada’s opponent in a June 1 friendly in Edmonton, dropped two places to No. 52.
Reports have pegged No. 47 Tunisia (down six) and No. 74 Iceland (unchanged) as Canada’s dates in the March international window.
Canada will face No. 18 Switzerland (down one) and No. 56 Qatar (down two places) in Group B play at this summer’s World Cup. Canada’s group will be completed by the winner of a European playoff featuring No. 13 Italy (down one), No. 35 Wales (down three), No. 69 Northern Ireland (unchanged) and No. 71 Bosnia and Herzegovina (unchanged).
Canada’s highest-ever ranking of No. 26, was achieved in September. The Canadians ranked as low as No. 122 in August and September 2014.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 19, 2026.
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
