TIRANA, July 9 – Albania have achieved their highest ever FIFA world ranking following remarkable progress in their Euro 2016 qualification bid and a historic victory with France last June.
Albania climbed 15 spots to 36th in the July FIFA ranking, which is a historic high for the country’s national side since 1946 when it made its international debut with a friendly against then-Yugoslavia.
The July 2015 ranking breaks a previous record set in July 2013 when Albania led by Italian coach Gianni De Biasi drew at home to Norway for the Brasil 2014 World Cup qualifiers to rank 37th.
The new ranking has officially earned Albania one seeding pot for the World Cup qualifying draw Russia 2018 scheduled for July 25.
Albania is set to be seeded in Pot 3 for the first time ever after having been historically seeded in Pots 4 and 5 in previous draws.
Asked about the historic climb, Albania’s coach Gianni De Biasi has avoided strong enthusiasm by saying “I will reach my conclusions when I see the teams we are drawn against. For now, we still don’t know how much the third pot is worth.”
With one game in hand, Albania currently rank third in Group I with 7 points, five behind group leaders Portugal and three behind second-placed Denmark, both of which have played one game more. Serbia and Armenia rank bottom with one point each in five matches.
Albania’s next qualifier will be away to Denmark on September 4 before hosting Portugal three days later.
Football experts say Albania, whose players play in prestigious leagues including Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, stands a real chance to qualify for the France Euro 2016 after historically finishing bottom and second from bottom in previous Euro and World Cup qualifying stages.
The top two group teams and the best third-placed side qualify directly for the final tournament of the Euro 2016. The eight remaining third-placed teams will contest play-offs to determine the last four qualifiers.
