South Korea Drops to No. 25 in FIFA Rankings After Two Losses in March Friendlies

Son Heung-min reacts after his shot fails to score during South Korea’s friendly against Austria at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on March 31 (local time). [Photo=Yonhap]

South Korea fell three places to No. 25 in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings after losing both of its March internationals.

FIFA announced the updated standings on April 1 (Korea time). South Korea had been No. 22 in the first rankings release of the year in January.

The national team coached by Hong Myung-bo was routed 4-0 by Ivory Coast on March 28 and then lost 1-0 to Austria on April 1, results that contributed to the drop.

Japan, the highest-ranked Asian team, moved up one spot to No. 18 from No. 19 after 1-0 wins over Scotland and England during the same international window.

Mexico, which will face South Korea in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America, rose one place to No. 15. Mexico drew 0-0 with Portugal and 1-1 with Belgium.

The Czech Republic, which reached the World Cup finals for the first time in 20 years by advancing through the UEFA playoffs, climbed two places to No. 41. It beat Ireland and Denmark on penalty shootouts.

South Africa, the lowest-ranked team in Group A, stayed at No. 60 after a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 loss in two matches against Panama in March.

At the top, France moved from third to first after beating Colombia 3-1, while Spain, the previous No. 1, drew Egypt 0-0 and slipped to second. Argentina is third.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Kang Sang Heon