MBABANE- Sihlangu will close out this post-World Cup period in a position of sombre reflection, as the national team once again finds itself languishing outside the prestigious top 100 in the FIFA World Rankings.
According to the latest global standings released on Monday, July 20 2026, following the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in the USA, Eswatini remains frozen in place, occupying 165th in the world.
The ranking follows a deeply challenging competitive cycle for the national troops. While Sihlangu reached a historic high of 88th back in 2017, recent years have told a story of regression. The team has slid further down the ladder, currently sitting at the 165th spot globally and 48th in Africa, marking a prolonged period of stagnation far outside the top 100.
The implications of these rankings extend beyond pride. Higher-ranked teams benefit from better seeding during major tournament draws, often allowing them to bypass treacherous preliminary rounds.
With the national team currently without a head coach, no official commentary could be obtained from the technical bench regarding the squad’s continued slide down the global ladder.
On the global stage, newly crowned world champions Spain sit at the summit of the FIFA Men’s World Ranking. In the Confederation of African Football (CAF) zone, Morocco continues to lead the way as the continent’s top-ranked side, occupying sixth place globally.
Sihlangu’s five-year ranking trend
Year Final FIFA Ranking
2021 146
2022 141
2023 149
2024 152
2025 155
2026 165
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