CanMNT surges up latest FIFA World Rankings to highest position in program history
Having equalled its all-time best position of 40th in the world after two wins in the November international window, a perfect nine-point showing during the January World Cup qualifying window propelled Canada's men's national team up to No. 33 in the most recent FIFA World Rankings.
Heading into the final (March) Concacaf Wrold Cup qualifying window, Canada sits in between Nigeria (32) and Egypt (34).
Beyond a bit of pride, there are other implications to the FIFA World Rankings.
A team's spot in this table determines Pot seeding for the FIFA World Cup Draw, and, with Canada climbing ever higher, Les Rouges could see themselves sorted into Pot 3 instead of Pot 4.
To boil it down simply - being seeded into Pot 3 means Canada would be drawn into a 4-team group with an even lower-ranked team at Qatar 2022, giving John Herdman's side a better shot of possible advancement into the knockout stages; conversely, being drawn into Pot 4 could see Canada sorted into a group with three tougher teams.
Even moreso, a Pot 3 berth could prove miraculous for Canada should they be drawn into Group A with hosts Qatar, which would then see Canada rank themselves among the two top teams in the group.
OneSoccer analyst Kristian Jack has outlined the results required to give Canada hope of landing in Pot 3, with the Canadians’ own form in three final qualifiers in March also a factor.
It may not happen internally but attention around this squad will now be their spot in the World Cup draw on April 3rd. This win will place Canada 33rd or 34th in the world according to rankings. They can still make it into pot 3 of the draw. Here’s a bit of a breakdown for you pic.twitter.com/ngIinfVORq
— Kristian Jack (@KristianJack) February 3, 2022
Canada remains third among Concacaf teams, behind Mexico and the United States and ahead of Costa Rica.
In 2021, the Canadians were named the most-improved team in the world by FIFA for their ascent up the rankings. When they kicked off World Cup qualifying against Bermuda in March, they were ranked 73rd. Since 2014, they have recovered from an all-time low of 122nd.
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