The Curaçao national football team has broken into the top 10 of the CONCACAF rankings. The side moved up one spot to tenth place with 1,398 points. The rise follows a recent run of three wins and a draw in the Nations League, which secured the team's place in the quarterfinals. In the league standings, the team currently sits in third place in its group, trailing the leader by five points.

This rise follows performances in the ongoing CONCACAF Nations League, where Curaçao secured a place in the League A quarterfinals. The shift highlights the growing presence of Caribbean teams among the region's elite. Mexico remains at the summit with 2,097 points, followed by the United States (1,877) and Canada (1,821).

Caribbean surge

Jamaica and Haiti also made gains. Jamaica climbed one position to sixth with 1,530 points. "Jamaica strengthened its position among Concacaf’s leading national teams, climbing to sixth in the latest men’s rankings," the Jamaican federation said. The team now sits just four points behind fifth-placed Costa Rica. Haiti moved up to seventh with 1,516 points. "Haiti moved up one place to seventh with 1,516 points," the Haitian football association confirmed.

Panama (fourth), Honduras (eighth) and Guatemala (ninth) round out the top ten. The most notable climber outside the top tier was Barbados, which surged seven places to 28th after an undefeated run in the Nations League. The Barbadians won Group B with a 3-1-0 record.

Context and outlook

The ranking movements follow the September-October international window, which featured Nations League matches and friendlies. The margins between teams in the middle of the table remain relatively narrow, meaning results have an immediate impact on positions. That match offers a fresh opportunity to consolidate their standing. The Nations League campaign continues with the quarterfinals ahead. The team will have to handle that important match without its top scorer, who is currently injured, presenting an additional challenge for the squad.

This story first appeared at caribbeannationalweekly.com