Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars, has once again seen a downturn in the official FIFA world rankings, creating concern among fans and analysts alike.
In the latest update released on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Kenya dropped two spots, moving from 109th to 111th place globally.
This decline effectively reverses the modest gains made in July and places the team back in a familiar, lower-tier position it has occupied for much of the year.
Key Takeaways
- Kenya dropped from 109th to 111th in FIFA world rankings
- Major setbacks in CHAN quarterfinals and World Cup qualifiers caused the decline
- Uganda rose six spots to 82nd, outperforming regional rivals
- Kenya remains 28th in Africa despite the recent drop
- The 3-1 home loss to Gambia virtually ended World Cup qualification hopes
Table of Contents
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Join WhatsApp CommunityBut what specific events led to this slide?
Despite a performance at the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) described as “commendable,” a series of critical setbacks in high-stakes matches proved too damaging to overcome.
This article breaks down the primary causes for the drop, explains how the FIFA ranking system works, and analyzes Kenya’s standing within the African continent.
The Two Key Setbacks: CHAN Exit and World Cup Heartbreak
The core reasons for the Harambee Stars’ ranking decline can be traced to poor results in two major competitions: the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
1. Elimination from CHAN
The team’s journey in the continental tournament came to an end in the quarterfinals.
A key factor in their elimination was a nail-biting penalty shootout loss to Madagascar, a result that carried significant weight in the ranking calculations.
While the overall performance was praised, exiting at this stage prevented the team from gaining the ranking points that come with advancing further.
2. Devastating World Cup Qualifier Loss
Perhaps the most significant blow was a devastating 3-1 loss to The Gambia.
Played at home at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, this defeat has all but ended Kenya’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, making it “virtually guaranteed” they will miss out on the tournament.
Even a resounding 5-0 victory over Seychelles in another match was not enough to offset the damage from these crucial losses.
The FIFA ranking system places greater importance on the outcome of major tournament matches, meaning the loss to The Gambia had a far greater negative impact than the win over Seychelles had a positive one.
Understanding the FIFA Ranking System
To understand why the Harambee Stars dropped, it’s essential to know how the rankings are calculated.
FIFA’s system is not just about wins and losses; it’s a complex algorithm that considers multiple factors.
Key Ranking Criteria:
- Strength of the Opponent: Beating a top-ranked team yields more points than defeating a lower-ranked one.
- Significance of the Match: A World Cup qualifier or a match in a continental final is weighted more heavily than a friendly.
- Overall Repercussions: Victories that lead to tournament qualification or advancement have a greater impact on a team’s ranking.
This system explains why Kenya’s loss to The Gambia in a World Cup qualifier was so detrimental, while the big win against Seychelles did little to cushion the fall.
Kenya’s Football Ranking at a Glance
| Ranking Metric | Current Status (September 2025) |
|---|---|
| Global FIFA Ranking | 111th |
| Previous FIFA Ranking | 109th (July 2025) |
| Rank Change | -2 Spots |
| Africa (CAF) Ranking | 28th |
Data sourced from the latest FIFA rankings published in September 2025.
How Kenya Compares: The Regional Picture
The recent ranking update also highlighted shifts among East African nations, painting a challenging picture for Kenya.
Uganda’s Impressive Rise
In stark contrast to Kenya, the Uganda Cranes were one of the region’s biggest movers.
They climbed an incredible six spots to reach 82nd in the world.
This surge makes them the 16th-best team on the continent, solidifying their position as a regional powerhouse.
Tanzania’s Slight Dip
The Taifa Stars of Tanzania also experienced a drop, falling four places.
However, despite this decline, they remain ranked slightly ahead of Kenya at position 107.
On the continental stage, Morocco remains the undisputed leader, holding the top spot in Africa following their victory at CHAN 2024.
Kenya’s position at 28th in Africa places them firmly in the middle tier, with significant ground to make up on the continent’s elite teams.
Conclusion: A Return to the Drawing Board
The drop to 111th in the FIFA rankings serves as a clear indicator of the challenges facing the Harambee Stars.
The inability to secure positive results in matches with the highest stakes—namely the World Cup qualifiers—has directly translated into a lower international standing.
While moments of promise, like the CHAN performance and the win over Seychelles, exist, they are being overshadowed by critical defeats.
For Kenya to climb back up the rankings and compete effectively on the continental stage, a renewed focus on winning decisive matches against formidable opponents will be essential.
