FIFA: Ukraine Drops Two Places After Period Without Matches — What This Means for the National Team
The national team dropped from 28th to 30th in the updated FIFA rankings; in the UEFA ranking it remains 14th. We explain why the fall is primarily the result of not playing matches, and what practical consequences it has for the team and for seeding in the qualifiers.
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
January 20, 2026 · 2 min read
Changes in the ranking
The Ukraine national team moved from 28th to 30th position in the latest FIFA update. At the same time, in the UEFA ranking our team retained 14th place. This update was published on the organization's website and records changes following recent international tournaments and periods without matches.
"The Ukraine national football team fell from 28th to 30th place in the updated FIFA ranking..."
— UNN, citing the FIFA website
Why this happened
The main reason is the absence of official matches for our team since November. The FIFA ranking takes activity and results into account: when a national team does not play, other teams can catch up and overtake it even without direct confrontations. Therefore the drop of two places is more technical than an indicator of a sharp decline in form.
Who overtook us and what to know
Ukraine was overtaken in the ranking by participants in the Africa Cup of Nations — Algeria and Nigeria. Although this looks like a loss of positions in the global context, the more important consequences for the Ukrainian national team are practical: possible changes in seeding during draws, interest in friendly matches, and the schedule of upcoming qualifiers.
International context
The top three in the ranking remained unchanged: Spain, Argentina, France. The biggest rise was shown by Cameroon (+12) — to 45th place; Africa Cup of Nations winner Senegal climbed seven places (12th position), and Morocco rose three places (8th position). Among other notes: Nigeria has the largest number of ranking points (79.09), Equatorial Guinea suffered the biggest drop in positions, and Gabon lost the most points.
What’s next for Ukraine
The drop of two places by itself does not significantly change the team's chances — but it underscores the importance of regular matches and calendar planning. For the players and coaching staff it is a signal: to regain positions and secure a better seeding in draws, match practice and results are needed. For the fan — it is useful to remember that the ranking reflects calendar management and activity more than just immediate form.
Forecast: if the national team resumes regular match activity and shows consistent results in qualifiers and friendlies, a return to previous positions is quite possible in the next ranking updates.
