The recently concluded CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has made a significant impact on the January 2026 edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, with both finalists, perhaps unsurprisingly, making significant strides.

Despite suffering heartbreak in the final, hosts Morocco (8^th, up 3) can take comfort from returning to the top 10 for the first time since April 1998, reaching their best-ever position.

AFCON winners Senegal (12^th, up 7), have been rewarded for reclaiming the continental crown by scaling unprecedented heights of their own, but it is as you were at the top, with Spain (1^st), FIFA world champions Argentina (2^nd), and France (3^rd) continuing to set the pace.

Morocco’s ascent has come at a cost for Croatia (11^th, down 1), who have dropped out of the top 10, as well as for Belgium (9^th, down 1) and Germany (10^th, down 1).

AFCON bronze medallists Nigeria (now 26^th) and quarter-finalists Cameroon (now 45^th) each shot up an unparalleled 12 places.

Additional ranking success stories served up by the African showpiece include notable rises for Algeria (28^th, up 6), semi-finalists Egypt (31^st, up 4), dethroned holders Côte d’Ivoire (37^th, up 5) and Congo DR (48^th, up 8).

Among the other talking points, Kosovo (79^th, up 1) have yet again climbed into uncharted territory, inching up on this occasion thanks to Gabon falling eight places to 86^th, whereas Costa Rica (51^st, down 2) and Uzbekistan (52^nd, also down 2) have both dropped out of the top 50.

The AFCON has also had an impact on the size of the respective confederations’ contingents in and around the upper echelons, with CAF now boasting nine nations in the top 50 – two more than at the end of 2025 – and the AFC and Concacaf having each lost one to fall to four apiece.

Home to 26 of the leading 50 teams in the global pecking order, UEFA continues to dominate, while CONMEBOL once again has seven representatives inside the top 50 with OFC sides remaining absent.

The next edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking will be published on 1 April 2026.

Zimbabwe Under-19s were left frustrated after their opening Group C match of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 against Scotland Under-19s was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Takashinga Cricket Club in Highfield on Thursday.

Persistent rainfall in Harare throughout the week left conditions around the pitch unsuitable for play and, after several inspections, match officials decided to call off the contest.

The decision denied players and fans the chance to witness Zimbabwe’s first appearance at the global youth tournament on home soil.

As a result, both teams shared the points, getting one each.

Zimbabwe is co-hosting the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 alongside Namibia, running from 15 January to 6 February.

Takashinga Cricket Club is one of the key venues for the competition, hosting seven group-stage matches.

Despite the abandonment, Zimbabwe were encouraged by the strong local support that arrived early, reflecting the growing interest in youth cricket and the excitement of hosting a World Cup at home.

The hosts now turn their focus to a challenging Group C encounter against England Under-19s on Sunday, 18 January, again at Takashinga.

Zimbabwe will conclude their group-stage campaign against Pakistan Under-19s on Thursday, 22 January, in what is expected to be another high-intensity fixture at the same venue.

Zimbabwe Cricket has announced Zimbabwe’s 15-man squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March.

Veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza will captain the side, continuing his leadership role as Zimbabwe look to make a strong impression on the global stage.

Continuity is a defining feature of the selection, with fit-again fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani the only addition to the squad that competed in the T20I triangular series in Pakistan in November, which also featured Sri Lanka.

Muzarabani will spearhead the pace attack alongside left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava, with Bradley Evans and Tinotenda Maposa providing depth and flexibility to Zimbabwe’s seam-bowling options.

The spin department leans on experience and control, with veteran Graeme Cremer earning a recall to partner Wellington Masakadza.

Zimbabwe’s batting line-up blends youthful promise with proven experience.

Young batters Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani will be eager to make a lasting impression on cricket’s biggest stage, while wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor brings a wealth of experience and composure to the top order.

All-rounder Ryan Burl adds balance with his power-hitting and leg-spin, while Tashinga Musekiwa, Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga and Dion Myers complete a versatile and well-rounded squad.

Zimbabwe have been drawn in Group B, where they will face Australia, Ireland, Oman and co-hosts Sri Lanka.

The top two teams from the group will advance to the Super Eight stage of the tournament.

Zimbabwe will open their T20 World Cup campaign against Oman at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on 9 February, before a high-profile encounter against Australia at the R. Premadasa Stadium on 13 February.

The team will then travel to Kandy to face Ireland at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 17 February, before returning to Colombo to conclude their group fixtures against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium on 19 February.

ZIMBABWE SQUAD – ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP 2026:

Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor