FIFA Rankings: Tough day for Algeria

Sep 30, 2026

With four points earned in the first two rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Algeria has already secured the essentials. However, the draw against Burundi has affected their temporary FIFA ranking.

From a numerical standpoint, Algeria has started their campaign in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers quite well. The Greens have collected four points out of a possible six, thanks to their victory over Zambia (3-1), followed by a more frustrating draw against Burundi (2-2). This is a decent record, but it does not reflect positively in the temporary FIFA ranking.

Before this international window, Algeria was in 29th place globally. The two results since then have temporarily dropped Brahim Hemdani's men down one spot, to 30th place. The draw against Burundi, a lower-ranked opponent, logically weighs more heavily in the calculations than the victory achieved a few days earlier.

On the continental level, the Greens still hold their fifth place in Africa. However, the hierarchy ahead of them has changed: Nigeria, which previously ranked above Algeria, has been surpassed by Ivory Coast. The Elephants now find themselves ahead of the Fennecs in this new temporary configuration.

However, nothing is yet definitive for Algeria during this international break. A final appointment awaits Ibrahim Maza's teammates, with a friendly match against Niger scheduled for October 6 in Tizi Ouzou. A victory would allow the Greens to gain additional points and could still influence their position before the next ranking update on October 7.

DZfoot