Malta named third most-improved team in 2020 FIFA world rankings

The Malta national team emerged as the third most-improved team in the 2020 FIFA World Rankings, the world governing body announced.

Devis Mangia’s team registered an improvement of 32 points, at the back of a string of positive performances in the UEFA Nations League, with the national team suffering just one defeat in six games, coupled with a number of positive performances in other friendly matches.

Only Hungary and Ecuador registered stronger improvements, climbing 44 and 41 points respectively.

Malta ended the year in 176th place after a record-breaking showing in the UEFA Nations League.

The team managed to collect a record tally of nine points that saw it finish second in the group, just behind leaders, the Faroe Islands, who earned promotion to League C.

The national team will be hopeful of improving its position in 2021 when it will be involved in a very demanding World Cup qualifying campaign.

Malta was drawn in Group H along with Croatia, Russia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Cyprus, which are all ranked in the world’s top 100.

Belgium ended the year on top of the FIFA World Rankings for the third consecutive year.

Winners of six of their eight matches in 2020, Belgium is not the only team to see its position unchanged.

Their three immediate pursuers – France (2nd), Brazil (3rd) and England (4th) – retain their respective rankings. The only change in the top five compared to 2019 is the appearance of Portugal in fifth place.