Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Arabian national football team falls five positions to 54^th place in FIFA Men’s World Ranking for the month of April. The Green Falcons ranked 5^th in Asia and Arab world in the latest standings announced by the world football’s governing body on Thursday.

The Saudi national squad recorded a fall in ranking following its defeat in friendly matches played against Venezuela and Bolivia after the Qatar World Cup 2022.

In the latest classification announced by FIFA, Japan tops from Asia with the rank of 20,^th and it was followed by Iran with a rank of 24^th, and South Korea ranked 27^th while 2022 World Cup host Qatar fell to 61th rank.

The Moroccan national team topped in the rankings from the Arab world and the African continent. It ranked 11^th, followed by the Tunisian team with 28^th place, and it was followed by Algeria 34^th, Egypt 35^th, and Saudi Arabia 54^th place.

Argentina returned to top spot in FIFA ranking for the first time since 2017. Lionel Messi-led Argentina, who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in December, dethroned Brazil following friendly match wins over Panama 2-0 and Curacao 7-0 in March. Argentina have 1,840.93 points, followed by the 2022 World Cup silver medalists France with 1,838.45 points while Brazil are in the third spot with 1,834.21 points.

Belgium stayed at No. 4, while England No. 5 after two wins. Netherlands ranked 6^th followed by Croatia, Italy, Portugal and Spain. The United States was still No. 13, two ahead of regional rival Mexico. Canada, the other North American co-host of the 2026 World Cup, rose six to No. 47.