May 28 – With only one international match played since FIFA last published its rankings, the calendar is about move from famine to feast with an explosion of activity including Gold Cup and Euro 2020 and Copa America, as well as World Cup qualifiers.
One day we expect to see Africa returning to competitive football action but it seems a long way off at present with FIFA and its politics holding sway on the continent rather than action with a round ball on a pitch. Some African teams will be in action in qualification for the Arab Cup to be played in Qatar at the end of the year.
Belgium continue their long run at the top of the rankings and start as one of the favourites, if not the favourite for Euro 2020.
By August, when the next rankings are published, we will see if we are looking at a new world order or a reinforcement of the old one.
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