WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s national football team has climbed two places in the latest FIFA World Ranking, reaching 80th position following its recent international performances.
The new rankings, released on Wednesday, October 7, reflect results from international matches played since the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The improvement provides another positive development for Curaçao as the national team prepares for its upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Panama.
Panama occupies 46th position in the latest ranking, making it a challenging opponent for Curaçao. The difference in rankings highlights the level of competition the national team will face as it seeks to advance further in the regional tournament.
Within the Caribbean, Jamaica remains the highest-ranked island nation, occupying 69th place.
At the top of the world rankings, Spain maintains first place following its World Cup triumph earlier this year. Argentina is second, followed by France, England and Portugal.
Portugal made the most significant improvement among the world's ten highest-ranked teams, climbing two positions to fifth place. The Netherlands occupies ninth position.
Elsewhere, Rwanda and the Dominican Republic recorded the largest improvements, each climbing nine positions. Rwanda now occupies 119th place, while the Dominican Republic has moved to 135th.
Sierra Leone experienced the largest decline, dropping eight places.
According to FIFA, 338 international matches were played between the conclusion of the World Cup on July 19 and the latest ranking update. These included UEFA and Concacaf Nations League matches and qualification fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
For Curaçao, the latest improvement comes as the national team continues to build on its historic participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The upcoming confrontation with Panama will provide another opportunity for Curaçao to demonstrate its progress against a higher-ranked opponent.
FIFA's next world ranking update is scheduled for November 18, 2026.