World Cup 2026: After the loss to Argentina, Algeria drops in FIFA rankings

The blow suffered against Argentina has left its mark on the Algerian squad. In addition to a disappointing start to this 2026 World Cup campaign, the Fennecs have slid down several spots in the FIFA rankings, putting their continental status under threat.

Algeria's heavy 3-0 defeat to Argentina in their World Cup opener has had repercussions that go beyond the pitch. This setback has also led to an immediate drop in the live FIFA rankings, with Vladimir Petkovic's men experiencing a significant fall.

Read also: World Cup 2026 / Argentina - Algeria: Messi, VAR and Marciniak at the heart of a major controversy

Having held the 28th spot worldwide before the tournament, the Fennecs have now slipped to 31st with a total of 1556.83 points, a loss of 14.2 points. What's more, this underwhelming performance knocks Algeria out of Africa's top 5, with the team now standing sixth on the continent.

However, nothing is set in stone until the next official FIFA rankings update. The upcoming matches against Jordan and Austria will therefore be crucial—not only in the race for qualification, but also for Riyad Mahrez and his teammates to reclaim valuable points and restore their standing.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

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Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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