San Marino’s 20-Year Drought Ends, But They’re Not the Lowest-Ranked Team Anymore
San Marino, one of the smallest and most unlikely teams in international football, have gone 20 years without a win. But, in a stunning turn of events, they’re no longer the lowest-ranked team in the world. And it’s all thanks to Eritrea, who have been unranked since January 2020.
The Sammarinese national team, known for their…let’s say, "aggressive" playing style, last won a game back in April 2004. Since then, they’ve lost a whopping 198 of their 204 competitive matches. But hey, they’ve had their moments, like that time they scored an equalizer against Denmark in Euro 2024 qualifying.
However, their 20-year drought came to an end in March when they drew with Caribbean side Saint Kitts and Nevis in a friendly. And with upcoming games against Liechtenstein and October, they might just get that long-awaited win.
But here’s the thing: San Marino isn’t even the lowest-ranked team in the world right now. That distinction belongs to Eritrea, who have been unranked since January 2020. The Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF) hasn’t made any official comment on the team’s status, leaving players frustrated and unable to play international football.
Eritrean midfielder Mohammed Saeid told BBC Sport Africa that he’s "so frustrated" about the situation. "I don’t know why it has happened or who is in charge. It is clear that those at the top aren’t taking football seriously enough."
The last update of the FIFA rankings was on July 18, with the next one taking place on September 19. San Marino currently sits at 210th in the world, while Eritrea remains unranked.
So, what’s going on? Why is Eritrea unranked? The lack of information is leaving players and fans alike scratching their heads.
But one thing is clear: Eritrean football is in crisis. And with talented players coming through, it’s a shame they’re being denied the opportunity to represent their country on the international stage.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this situation and bringing you updates as more information becomes available. Follow us on all social media platforms for more updates.