FIFA: DRC ranked 41st in the world and 7th in Africa

Kinshasa, July 9^th, 2026 (CPA).- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been ranked 41^st in the world and 7^th in Africa in the July rankings of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), published on Thursday on the official website of world football’s governing body. “The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has just climbed five places to move from 46^th to 41^st in the world, whilst also rising three places on the continental stage, moving from 10^th to 7^th, in the July rankings of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), published on Thursday, July 9^th, 2026,” it is read.

According to these FIFA rankings, consulted by CPA on Thursday, the African top 10 is led by Morocco (6^th in the world), followed by Senegal (18^th), Nigeria (26^th), Egypt (24^th), Algeria (29^th), Ivory Coast (31^st), DRC (41^st), Cameroon (43^rd), Mali (53^rd) and South Africa (54^th). According to the latest official rankings, the top ten places in the world are occupied, respectively, by France, Argentina, Spain, England, Brazil, Morocco, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and Mexico. It is also worth noting that this rise follows DRC’s performance at the 2026 World Cup, where Sebastien Desabre’s side notably held Portugal to a draw and secured a historic 3–1 victory over Uzbekistan.  The Leopards have demonstrated their competitiveness against top-class opponents.

They have first held Portugal to a draw (1–1). Despite a narrow defeat to Colombia (0–1), they have caused a sensation by securing a commanding victory over Uzbekistan (3–1) in their final group match. In the round of 16, they have narrowly lost to England (2–1), having kept the Three Lions on their toes for much of the match thanks to Brian Cipenga’s early opener. Beyond their current ranking, which now places DRC in the top seven in Africa, this progress above all illustrates the work undertaken by head coach Sebastien Desabre, who was appointed in August 2022 under particularly difficult circumstances.

On his arrival, the team were ranked 72nd in the world, the result of a disastrous start to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers under Argentine manager Hector Cuper. In less than four years, the French coach has managed to transform the Leopards into a disciplined and competitive side, capable of competing with the best teams on the planet. DRC has thus climbed 31 places in the FIFA rankings since he took charge, a leap that reflects the consistency of the team’s performances under his leadership.