By Ishmael Zay-Bangura
Freetown, 12th October 2026- Sierra Leone’s national football team, Leone Stars, has suffered a decline in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, plunging eight places from 122nd to 130th. The drop, confirmed in FIFA’s October 7 update, follows two defeats in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers.
Leone Stars fell 2-3 to Zimbabwe before losing 0-1 away to Equatorial Guinea, leaving them with zero points from two Group E matches. FIFA identified Sierra Leone as the biggest faller by ranking positions in the latest update. The team now sits on 1,127.40 points, just above Equatorial Guinea, who climbed nine places to 131st.
The 130th position is a significant setback for a nation that had briefly climbed to 119th earlier this year under former coach Mohamed Kallon. The previous 122nd ranking had been Sierra Leone’s best of 2026 at that stage.
Mohamed Kallon, Sierra Leone’s possibly greatest-ever player, was appointed head coach in March 2025 on a three-year deal. During his tenure, the team’s FIFA ranking fluctuated but showed modest improvement. In April 2025, Sierra Leone surged five places to 124th. By September 2025, after a strong World Cup qualifying run, they climbed to 122nd, earning an additional 10.1 ranking points. In October 2025, they moved up one spot to 121st. By the end of 2025, Leone Stars were ranked 120th globally and 33rd in Africa. Following a FIFA Series outing in Azerbaijan in early 2026, they reached their peak under Kallon at 119th, up from 120th.
Kallon’s record in charge was 7 matches: 3 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. Despite the modest rise in rankings and reported dedication. The Sierra Leone Football Association terminated his contract on April 2, 2026, citing a review of his conduct and performance.
The current drop to 130th places additional pressure on the national team as it continues its AFCON qualifying campaign under new coach Didier Gomes DaRosa . Sierra Leone will have to wait until the next international window for an opportunity to improve their position, with FIFA’s next men’s world ranking scheduled for November 18, 2026.
