San Marino FINALLY move from bottom spot in FIFA rankings… with one nation technically below them after not playing a match for over four years
- San Marino have won only one match in their history, a 1-0 victory in 2004
- Their results have improved slightly recently and they are no longer at the bottom
- LISTEN NOW: It’s all about to begin!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
San Marino are no longer the lowest ranked team, with one country now officially below them.
The little boys have won only one match in their history: a 1-0 friendly against Liechtenstein in 2004.
They have lost 198 of their 204 league games but have experienced some joy of late, despite going winless in 20 years.
San Marino have suffered a number of heavy defeats in recent times, including a 10-0 defeat to England in a World Cup qualifier in November 2021.
Last year they also suffered a number of defeats, including a 6-0 defeat against Finland and two 4-0 defeats against Denmark and Slovenia.
San Marino are no longer the lowest ranked team, with now technically one country below them
The little boys have won only one match in their history: a 1-0 friendly in 2004.
Recent results have been more encouraging though, a 3-1 loss to Denmark was very acceptable
In March this year they drew with Saint Kitts and Nevis from the Caribbean and they are no longer the cellar boys.
The East African country Eritrea is lower than them as they are not ranked and have not played a match in over four years.
Ertirea last took to the field in January 2020, when they lost a friendly to Sudan.
Their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Niger, Zambia, Congo, Morocco and Tanzania have been cancelled without any official word from the Eritrean national football association.
“I don’t know why it happened or who is in charge. It’s clear that the top brass are not taking football seriously enough,” Eritrean midfielder Mohammed Saeid told BBC Sport Africa.
‘I feel so frustrated because there are so many players with an Eritrean background coming through at the moment, many of whom are playing in Europe.
‘If we get the chance, we could participate, but if they see what is happening, will they still want to represent Eritrea in the future?
‘I will one day be able to tell my children that I played for the Eritrean national team and that it was one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. But now there are so many players who are being deprived of this opportunity.’