FIFA Rankings Update: Bangladesh Remain 180th

The latest FIFA rankings for December have been published, and for Bangladesh there is little in the way of dramatic change—at least on the surface. The national men’s football team has retained its previous position of 180th in the world, mirroring its standing from the last update. While the absence of international fixtures has ensured numerical stability, a closer look at the underlying data reveals subtle yet meaningful shifts that underline just how fine the margins are in global football.

FIFA, the world governing body of football, released the updated rankings on Monday. Since the conclusion of the Asian Cup qualifiers on 18 November, there has been no further FIFA international window. As a result, many teams across the globe, including Bangladesh, have experienced minimal movement in their rankings. This period of inactivity often leads to apparent calm in the standings, though the points system continues to adjust quietly in the background.

At the top of the table, the hierarchy of world football remains unchanged. Spain continue to occupy the number one position, followed closely by Argentina, France, England and Brazil. The lack of movement among the elite nations reflects both their consistency and the absence of high-stakes competitive matches during this window.

Bangladesh’s ranking position may be unchanged, but its rating points tell a more nuanced story. In November, the team held 911.19 points; by December, this figure had slipped marginally to 911.10. While the drop is minuscule and insufficient to alter their ranking, it highlights the intense competition among teams in this bracket. The margin separating Bangladesh from the team immediately above them is razor-thin—Cambodia, ranked 179th, currently hold 911.54 points.

An administrative detail from the November international window has also played a role in this adjustment. Prior to the Asian Cup qualifiers, Bangladesh played a friendly match against Nepal. However, that fixture was not reflected in the November rankings. Following communication with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), assurances were given that the match would be accounted for in the December update. It is widely believed that this belated inclusion contributed to the slight recalibration of Bangladesh’s points total.

Nepal’s situation, meanwhile, presents a contrasting picture. Despite playing at home against Bangladesh and securing a two-goal draw in the away fixture, Nepal saw a small increase in their rating points—from 902.44 in November to 902.52 in December. Nevertheless, this marginal gain was not enough to lift them up the rankings, largely because Belize, positioned just above, remain on a healthier points tally.

Selected FIFA Ranking Snapshot (December)