Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The Saudi national football team has fallen three places in the latest FIFA monthly rankings, landing at 59th in the world after previously holding the 56th position.

This decline follows disappointing results in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, where the team lost to Japan and drew with Bahrain.

These setbacks have sparked demands from the Saudi sports community for a change in coach Roberto Mancini, urging the federation to appoint a new coach to lead the team through the remaining qualifying matches and secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

As it stands, Saudi Arabia is third in its group with 5 points after four matches, having won one, drawn two, and lost one. The team faces Australia next month, which will be crucial for their chances of qualification.

In the global rankings, Argentina retains the top position, followed by France in second and Spain in third. England and Brazil occupy the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, with Belgium in sixth. The Netherlands has dropped to eighth, allowing Portugal to take its place.

Among Arab teams, Morocco remains the highest ranked at 13th, followed by Egypt at 30th, Algeria at 37th, Qatar at 46th, Tunisia at 47th, Iraq at 56th, Saudi Arabia at 59th, Jordan at 64th, the UAE at 68th, Bahrain at 76th, Oman at 80th, Syria at 93rd, and Palestine at 100th.