FIFA Rankings: Harambee Stars Conclude 2023 In Unchanged 110th Position

• Kenya have not moved a single place in the latest FIFA rankings
• Engin Firat’s men have registered mixed results during the year
• The reigning world champions have claimed 2023's top position

Kenya have wrapped up the tumultuous year of 2023, maintaining their position in the final FIFA world men’s rankings, released on Thursday, December 21.

Harambee Stars’ performance fluctuated during the year, recording impressive wins and also disappointing defeats, which contributed to their unmoved placing.

Engin Firat’s men kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in November with a 2-1 loss to Gabon, before handing Seychelles a 5-0 thumping away from home.

The team finishes the year ranked 110th with 1,181 points, having garnered no points since the last ranking update on November 30 this year, as reported by FIFA.

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Firat has been vocal in blasting the quality of opposition the team has faced over the years, insisting they had to play a nation from Europe if their style of play and results were to change for the better.

"Even when I check the football history here, I saw you have never played against a team from Europe. I am serious… No, never ever. This is part of what we may do this year, I believe, we may play one team [from Europe]," Firat said as quoted by Pulse Sports.

While notable wins like the victory against Qatar - in an international friendly - undoubtedly added to their total points, the defeat to Gabon would have hindered any substantial progress.

Another chance for a shift in rankings will come with the commencement of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Kenya began the year at 102nd, their highest position since April 6.

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Kenya coach laments lack of creativity

Firat will have to work with the resources he has at his disposal, even though he has previously lamented about the lack of creativity in his squad.

"The reality is that Kenyan football is missing a lot of creative players and players who are really strong in one-on-one situations. We are lacking creativity, especially if we play at home. There can sometimes be problems with rivals like South Sudan, who play very deep with strong defenders. It is for me to see, think about matches and what I have to change," the Harambee Stars coach said per Nation Sports.

The past month witnessed international matches worldwide, with FIFA World Cup qualifiers taking centre stage in Africa, Asia, and South America.

Other confederations were engaged in EURO 2024 qualifying, the CONCACAF Nations League, and the Pacific Games, which affected the final rankings.

At the top is Argentina. The world champions reinforced their position after defeating fifth-placed Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in November. France are second, England are third, and Belgium are in fourth.

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FIFA's world women's rankings

Sports Brief also previously reported on Nigeria's female team dropping two places in the FIFA women’s rankings since the 2023 Women's World Cup.

In total, the Super Falcons have jumped 11 spots from 45th to 34th and South Africa improved by two places, while Morocco went up from 76th to 60th.