Kenya’s Harambee Stars have fallen four places in the latest November FIFA rankings after a disappointing international window in Turkey. The national team endured back-to-back defeats against Equatorial Guinea and African giants Senegal, results that significantly impacted their standing in the global football chart.
Kenya entered the international break with optimism, having climbed to 109th in October following improved performances earlier in the year. However, their momentum came to a halt after a narrow 1-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, a match in which Kenya created numerous chances but lacked precision in front of goal. Four days later, their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed in an 8-0 defeat to Senegal — one of the heaviest losses in recent team history.
These consecutive setbacks have now pushed Harambee Stars down to 113th globally, placing them just below regional rivals Tanzania. The drop raises concerns about consistency, squad depth, and the tactical direction of the team under head coach Benni McCarthy.
Beyond Kenya, global football experienced notable shifts in the rankings. Spain maintained their position at the top, with Argentina and France holding second and third. Brazil made a significant leap back into the top five after an impressive set of results, while Portugal and the Netherlands slipped slightly. Italy endured one of the biggest declines among top sides, falling three places to 12th and losing their spot in the top 10, which allowed Croatia to rise into tenth place.
On the continent, African teams also saw movement. Nigeria climbed three spots to 38th, while Tunisia rose to 40th following solid international performances. Among global climbers, Uzbekistan re-entered the top 50 for the first time in nearly a decade, marking one of the most remarkable improvements of this ranking cycle.
The update also highlighted major rises and drops in points and positions across the board. The Republic of Ireland registered the largest points gain, while several nations, including Malta and Turkmenistan, achieved notable position jumps. Conversely, teams like India, El Salvador, and Luxembourg suffered the steepest declines.
For Kenya, the rankings drop amplifies the scrutiny surrounding the national team setup. With AFCON 2027 approaching — a tournament Kenya will co-host — pressure is mounting on the technical bench to address tactical issues, improve squad cohesion, and restore confidence. The coming months will be critical as Harambee Stars prepare for a demanding period, both competitively and administratively.
