FIFA's ranking system clearly states that any team that hasn't played an official match in 48 months is ineligible for ranking. Eritrea's last official match was a World Cup 2022 qualifier in 9/2019.

The reason for this absence isn't a lack of Confederation of African Football-approved stadiums in the Red Sea nation. Instead, it stems from strict government policies. Fearing player defections and asylum seeking, the Eritrean Football Federation has effectively banned players from competing abroad. They have declared their intention to withdraw from both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Hoang Thong – Hoang Cuong