Kenya Drops Two Places in Latest FIFA Rankings

Nairobi, Kenya — 2025-09-18 09:00 EAT. Kenya’s men’s national football team, the Harambee Stars, has slipped two spots to 111th in the latest FIFA world rankings, following elimination from the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) and a World Cup qualifying defeat.

The Latest

• Kenya fell from 109th to 111th after a CHAN quarterfinal exit via penalties to Madagascar and a 3–1 loss to The Gambia in World Cup qualifiers

• Even a 5–0 victory over Seychelles could not offset earlier losses

• The team is now ranked 28th in Africa

Context in Brief

• FIFA rankings weigh results by match importance and opponent strength

• Regional rivals:

  • Tanzania fell four places to 107th.

  • Uganda rose six places to 82nd

• Morocco remains Africa’s top-ranked nation after winning CHAN 2024

Voices and Stakeholders

• Football Kenya Federation (FKF): Vows to invest in youth development and long-term competitive programs.

• Analysts: Call for consistent international fixtures and better coaching structures.

Evidence & Data

• World ranking: 111th globally, 28th in Africa.

• Recent results: CHAN quarterfinal exit; World Cup qualifying loss to The Gambia; win vs Seychelles.

Risks and Implications

• Tournament seeding: Lower ranking affects qualifying draws for AFCON & World Cup.

• Sponsorship & funding: Decline may deter private investment in national football.

• Talent pipeline: Highlights gaps in youth academies and grassroots programs.

What We Don’t Know

• Specific timeline for FKF reforms to boost rankings.

• Whether Kenya will secure more friendly matches against top-ranked nations.

• Long-term funding plans for youth training infrastructure.

Timeline

• July 2025: Kenya ranked 109th.

• Sept 2025: Drops to 111th after CHAN & World Cup losses.

• Future: FKF pledges reforms ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

What to Watch

• FKF youth programs and investment commitments.

• Upcoming FIFA windows for potential ranking recovery.

• Regional ranking battles with Uganda and Tanzania in East Africa.