The Zambia National Team — the Chipolopolo — has suffered yet another setback on the latest FIFA Coca-Cola World Rankings, slipping two places to 87th globally. Despite maintaining 18th position in Africa, the rankings reflect a steady decline that mirrors recent on-field struggles. Niger, who shocked Zambia with a 1-0 win in Ndola last weekend, surged nine places in contrast, highlighting the growing concerns surrounding Zambia’s stagnation.
Main Report
Zambia’s ranking drop comes after mixed results in the recent World Cup qualifiers, where they narrowly beat Tanzania 1-0 away before falling to Niger at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The defeat not only ended hopes of reviving their qualifying campaign but has now been statistically rewarded — for Niger.
Globally, Spain have tightened their grip on first place following back-to-back wins, with Argentina climbing back to second after overtaking France, who now sit third. Germany re-enters the top 10 while Croatia slips to 11th. The Netherlands edge past Brazil into sixth, as Scotland, Hungary, and Nigeria all record notable pushes within the top 50.
Further down the rankings, Niger, Lesotho, and the Faroe Islands are among the biggest movers, each climbing nine places. Kosovo hits a historic 84th after jumping seven. Meanwhile, giants like Greece and Sweden fall significantly after costly results.
For Zambia, the latest decline raises more questions than answers. While performances on the pitch have lacked consistency, the ranking slide is now beginning to reflect long-term regression rather than isolated form. With the next FIFA update due on 21 November 2025, pressure is mounting for a response — not just in results, but in direction.
Conclusion
The Chipolopolo’s drop to 87th in the world is more than just a number — it’s a warning. While fellow African teams like Niger and Nigeria are climbing, Zambia risks falling further behind unless improvements are made both tactically and structurally. With the next ranking just weeks away, the question remains: will Zambia rise to the challenge or continue the slide?
