sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
San Marino aren't the lowest ranked football nation in the world, four teams have no ranking due to inactivity
Home>Football>Football News>FIFA World Cup
Published 14:09 27 Oct 2023 GMT+1

San Marino aren't the lowest ranked football nation in the world, four teams have no ranking due to inactivity

San Marino's only victory was in a friendly against Liechtenstein in 2004.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

San Marino have never won a competitive game of football and yet they are still not the lowest ranked team in the world.

San Marino have regularly been branded the worst team in international football, having been on the receiving end of a series of hidings over the years.

Starting from their first recognised fixture in 1986 against Canada, San Marino, with their builder full-backs and IT technician wingers, have played 204 fixtures.

Advert

They've lost 194 fixtures, drew nine and won just a single game of football - a friendly fixture victory over Liechtenstein in 2004.

The minnows recently hit headlines when they scored a shock equaliser against Denmark in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

Alessandro Golinucci cancelled out Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund's opener and sparked incredible scenes at the San Marino Stadium.

Yussuf Poulsen scored the winner for the Danes but it was a spirited performance from San Marino.

In the latest batch of FIFA rankings, published on 26 October, San Marino are right down at the very bottom in 207th position, below Anguilla, US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

However, as per The Sweeper, San Marino are not technically the lowest-ranked because there are four sides unranked because of their inactivity.

American Samoa, Tonga, Samoa and Eritrea all currently have no ranking, yet that is set to change in the near future.

Next month, American Samoa, Tonga and Samoa will be participating at the Pacific Games, while Eritrea have World Cup qualifiers against Morocco and Congo.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

Guam are another small nation near the bottom of the FIFA rankings and they were the first side eliminated from the 2026 World Cup.

The US Island territory, with a tiny population of 18,000, were beaten home and away by Singapore, losing 3-1 on aggregate.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: San Marino

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

Michael Bisping suggests radical eye poke rule change ahead of Tom Aspinall comebackGetty ImagesAndrea Pirlo interview: 'Football has changed and unfortunately we've been left behind' Getty ImagesThierry Henry picks player who will surprise everyone at World Cup – ‘There’s a guy people don’t know about...’GettyRonnie O’Sullivan says snooker star can win 'multiple world titles' and gives update on futureGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

26 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Getty
    26 mins ago

    Andoni Iraola has explained why he only signs two-year contracts ahead of Liverpool move

    Liverpool have verbally agreed a deal with the former Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth manager

    Football
  • Getty Images
    26 mins ago

    Arsenal and Bayern fighting for 'one of most talented' players in Europe as World Cup looms

    Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster his squad this summer after winning the Premier League last term.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Andoni Iraola handed first Liverpool dilemma as top target seals transfer

    Iraola will look to put his stamp on the Liverpool squad in the summer transfer window, but already faces a dilemma.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Andoni Iraola's one demand was granted during Liverpool contract talks

    The Spaniard is expected to succeed Arne Slot at Anfield.

    Football
  • First team eliminated from 2026 World Cup, 969 days before tournament gets underway