Kenya Slides Further in FIFA Rankings Following Consecutive International Defeats
Uganda, the highest-ranked East African side in previous months, suffered a massive drop from 83rd in September to 95th on November 20.
Harambee Stars players pose for a picture ahead of their game against Madagascar at Moi Stadium, Kasarani on August 22, 2025. Photo/Courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
Kenya has fallen once again in the latest FIFA World Rankings to position 113, a worrying drop in just two months. The down movement reflects what has been one of the most difficult international windows for the Harambee Stars, who failed to garner a single point in their recent fixtures.
The decline follows two successive losses in Turkey, where Kenya first lost 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea on November 14, before suffering the humiliating 8-0 loss to Senegal only four days later. These results greatly dented Kenya’s ranking points and worsened their position on the global football standings.
Despite Senegal’s great reputation as one of the powerhouse football nations on the African continent, the West African giants also slipped one spot to 19th in the world. Their slight fall was chiefly blamed on a 2-0 defeat to Brazil, a high-profile match that carried considerable weighting in the ranking formula.
Kenya’s slide now stands at four places, placing them just behind regional rivals Tanzania, who themselves saw a drastic fall of five places to land at 109th place. This ranking system, updated periodically by FIFA, measures national teams based on a number of factors that include match results, the quality of the opponents, and the significance of the fixtures played within a given period.
Teams that register victories against stronger opponents or perform well in high-stake encounters generally earn more ranking points. In that sense, even a competitive display against Senegal—one of the continent’s football powerhouses—could have softened the blow for Kenya in the latest update.
The international break hit regional neighbours, too. Uganda, the highest-ranked East African side in previous months, suffered a massive drop from 83rd in September to 95th on November 20. This signaled wider struggles across various East African teams in the latest assessment.
The dismal performances have increased pressure on Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy, whose initially promising start has been overshadowed by inconsistent performances. Since Kenya’s exit in the round of 16 at the African Nations Championships, the team has posted mixed outcomes—winning only two of their last six matches while losing the remaining four.
Losses to Gambia and the Ivory Coast earlier in the campaign had already ruled out Kenya’s slim chances of qualifying for the next World Cup, further fuelling public concern. Fans admit that although the team exhibits flashes of brilliance under McCarthy, it still lags behind the traditional African football heavyweights in terms of consistency and competitiveness. Following the heavy loss to Senegal, FKF President Hussein Mohammed apologized on Wednesday, terming it one of the most painful losses in the country’s football history. He assured fans that corrective measures will be taken, including a thorough review of policies, structures, and operational strategies aimed at rebuilding confidence and improving future performance.
About Author
