NAIROBI, KENYA – Kenya’s national men's football team, Harambee Stars, has fallen four places to 113th in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings released on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. The significant drop from the 109th position held in October is a direct consequence of a calamitous international friendly window in Turkey, which culminated in one of the heaviest defeats in the nation's recent history.

The ranking, which assesses team performance in FIFA-recognised international matches, reflected zero points gained by Kenya during the November window. The team's tour in Turkey featured two critical matches: a narrow 1-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, followed by a devastating 8-0 thrashing by the 2026 World Cup-bound Senegalese national team, the Lions of Teranga, just four days later.

A Disastrous Outing in Turkey

The performance against Senegal, a powerhouse of African football, was particularly alarming. The match saw Senegal's Sadio Mané score a first-half hat-trick, while Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson added a quick brace. The result marked a stark reality check for the Harambee Stars and immediately intensified scrutiny on the team's technical bench and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). The squad for the friendlies notably omitted several experienced players, including star striker Michael Olunga, a decision that has since drawn considerable debate.

In the wake of the crushing defeat, FKF President Hussein Mohammed issued a public apology on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, describing the results as a "wake-up call." In a statement, Mohammed acknowledged the need for significant structural changes, stating, "To play and compete against the best in the world requires deliberate investment in a serious and professional technical team and player development programs. We have no excuses. I apologise for these results. We shall fix it." He pledged a comprehensive review of policies and performance indicators from grassroots to the national teams.

Regional and Continental Standing

The drop in ranking has significant implications for Kenya's standing within the East African region. The Harambee Stars now find themselves ranked below Tanzania, which holds the 107th position globally based on the October 2025 rankings. Uganda remains the highest-ranked nation in the CECAFA region, positioned at 83rd globally as of October. Rwanda maintained its position at 131st in the November update. This shift underscores a worrying trend for Kenyan football relative to its neighbours.

On the continental stage, Morocco remains Africa's top-ranked team, climbing to 11th in the world. Senegal, despite defeating Kenya, slipped one place globally to 19th but remains the second-highest-ranked African nation. Other notable African teams include Nigeria, which rose three places to 38th, and Tunisia, which also climbed to 40th.

Global Rankings Overview

Globally, the top of the rankings saw some movement, though the leading teams held their ground. Spain retained its number one position, with World Cup champions Argentina at second and France at third, according to the November 19, 2025, release. England remains in fourth, while Brazil re-entered the top five, climbing two spots. A notable change in the top tier saw Italy fall three places to 12th, dropping out of the top 10 and allowing Croatia to move up to 10th. The next FIFA World Ranking update is scheduled for release on December 23, 2025. For Kenya, the latest ranking serves as a sobering reminder of the work required to reclaim its standing both regionally and on the world stage.