The Romanian national team dropped two positions compared to December and is in 45th place in the ranking published on Thursday by the International Football Federation (FIFA).
Ianis Hagi, Romanian international
The decline of the tricolors must be attributed to the fact that the team coached by Edward Iordănescu did not play a single match during this period, while competitions took place in two continental areas, the Asian Cup and the African Cup of Nations.
In fact, there was no change in the Top 10. Argentina, the en titre world champion, remains in the lead, followed by the world vice-champion France and the European vice-champion England. Belgium, Romania's future opponent at EURO 2024, ranks fourth.
Slovakia, another team that Romania will face at the European Championship in Germany, dropped from 45 to 48.
Romania will play two friendly matches in March, with Northern Ireland (March 22, in Bucharest) and Colombia (March 26, in Madrid). Northern Ireland dropped two places in the ranking announced on Thursday, now at 74th, while Colombia remains at 14th.
The new champion of Africa, Cote d'Ivoire has managed to jump ten places and is in 39th place, while the finalist Nigeria has climbed 14 positions, being now 28th. Angola achieved the biggest jump, of 24 places, up to 93.
Qatar, the champion of Asia, climbed remarkably, 21 places, to 37th, and the finalist Jordan climbed 17, being now 70th.
The next FIFA ranking will be published on April 4.
FIFA ranking for the month of February
1 (1). Argentina 1,855.2 points
2 (2). France 1,845.44
3 (3). England 1,800.05
4 (4). Belgium 1,798.46
5 (5). Brazil 1,784.09
6 (6). Netherlands 1,745.48
7 (7). Portugal 1,745.06
8 (8). Spain 1,732.64
9 (9). Italy 1,718.82
10 (10). Croatia 1,717.57
11 (11). Uruguay 1,665.99
12 (13). Morocco 1,663.39
13 (12). USA 1,661.7
14 (14). Colombia 1,655.29
15 (15). Mexico 1,652.7
16 (16). Germany 1,631.22
17 (20). Senegal 1,620.74
18 (17). Japan 1,614.33
19 (18). Switzerland 1,613.44
20 (21). Iran 1,608.23
…………………………..
45 (43). Romania 1,472.73
48 (45). Slovakia 1,465.73
74 (72). Northern Ireland 1,333.17
