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3-0 Defeat to Argentina: Algeria Drops Four Places in FIFA Rankings

Beaten 3-0 by Argentina in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick, Algeria loses eleven points in the FIFA rankings and falls to 32nd place worldwide, dropping out of Africa's top five.

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3-0 Defeat to Argentina: Algeria Drops Four Places in FIFA Rankings
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Algeria suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Argentina in the first match of Group J of the 2026 World Cup, with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick for the defending world champions. Beyond the result on the pitch, this poor performance has immediate consequences for the Fennecs’ FIFA ranking.

With a loss of 11.80 points, Vladimir Petkovic’s side plummets four places and now stands at 32nd in the world with 1,559.24 points. Algeria finds itself relegated behind Côte d’Ivoire, 31st (1,568.62 points) after their 1-0 victory against Ecuador, and Egypt, 30th (1,570.67 points), who drew 1-1 with Belgium.

Direct consequence: the Fennecs exit Africa’s top five nations. This continental ranking is now dominated by Morocco (6th worldwide, 1,755.09 points), Senegal (16th, 1,667.66 points) and Nigeria (25th, 1,585.02 points).

On the sporting front, Algeria’s situation is also concerning. Bottom of Group J after this opening match, Petkovic’s men see their qualification for the round of 16 seriously compromised from the start of the competition.

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