If you only glance at the FIFA World Rankings, you’ll see San Marino sitting at 210th. Dead last. It’s a position they’ve held so long it practically has their name engraved on it. But if you’re actually following the san marino national football team standings, you know that 2024 changed everything. The "worst team in the world" isn't playing like it anymore.
Honestly, it’s been a wild ride. For two decades, being a fan of La Serenissima was an exercise in masochism. You tuned in to see how long they could hold a 0-0 draw before the floodgates opened. Then came the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League.
The Nations League Shocker
Forget the old jokes. San Marino didn't just participate this time; they dominated their level. They were drawn into League D, Group 1, alongside Gibraltar and Liechtenstein. Most pundits figured they’d scrap for a point or two. Instead, they finished at the very top of the table.
Look at the final san marino national football team standings for League D1:
San Marino finished with 7 points from 4 matches. They managed two wins, one draw, and only one narrow loss. That’s more wins in three months than they had in the previous thirty years. Gibraltar trailed them with 6 points, and Liechtenstein sat at the bottom with just 2.
They scored five goals in those four games. For a team that used to go years without finding the back of the net, that’s basically a scoring frenzy.
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Why the 3-1 Win in Vaduz Changed Everything
The final match against Liechtenstein was the one. San Marino went into the halftime break down 1-0. Usually, that’s where the story ends. The small team fights hard, loses predictably. But Roberto Cevoli’s squad came out for the second half like a different beast.
Lorenzo Lazzari equalized immediately. Then Nicola Nanni—the team's standout striker—converted a penalty. By the time Alessandro Golinucci smashed in the third, people were losing their minds. It was San Marino’s first-ever away win. It was also the first time they’d ever scored three goals in a competitive match.
That single victory catapulted them to the top of the group.
Promotion to League C: What Happens Next?
This isn't just a feel-good story for Twitter. This has massive structural implications. Because they topped their group, San Marino earned automatic promotion to Nations League C.
Think about that for a second.
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Next time around, they won't be playing against fellow micro-states. They’ll be facing established European sides. We’re talking about potential matchups against the likes of Estonia, Cyprus, or even bigger names depending on other relegations. It’s a massive step up in quality, but it also guarantees them more competitive matches where they aren't just getting parked in their own box for 90 minutes.
The World Cup Play-off Dream
Here is the bit that sounds like a glitch in the Matrix. Because of how UEFA structures World Cup qualifying, San Marino actually has a mathematical path to the 2026 World Cup play-offs.
Basically, the four best Nations League group winners who don’t finish in the top two of their regular World Cup qualifying groups get a second chance. Now, usually, those spots go to teams in League A or B. But if the "big" teams qualify through the front door—which they usually do—those play-off spots trickle down the rankings.
It is a long shot. A massive, "don't bet your house on it" kind of long shot. But the fact that we are even talking about San Marino and the World Cup in the same sentence without it being a joke is a testament to how much they’ve improved.
The Cevoli Effect: Why They’re Finally Winning
You’ve gotta give credit to Roberto Cevoli. Since he took over as head coach, the mentality has shifted. They aren't just trying to survive; they're trying to play football.
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- Modern Tactics: They aren't just hoofing the ball clear anymore. They actually build play through the midfield.
- Fitness Levels: Many of these guys are part-time—plumbers, graphic designers, shop workers—but they’re holding their own against full-time pros for the full 90 minutes.
- Young Blood: Nicko Sensoli, the 19-year-old who scored the winner in their first match against Liechtenstein, represents a new generation that doesn't have the "losing baggage" of the last 20 years.
Current Standing in the FIFA World Rankings
As of early 2026, San Marino is still hovering around that 210 mark. The FIFA rankings are a bit slow to react to Nations League success because the weight of 200 previous losses drags them down like an anchor.
But within the UEFA ecosystem, their stock has never been higher. They are no longer the "free win" on the calendar. Teams in League C are going to have to actually prepare for them now.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the san marino national football team standings or looking to place a cheeky bet on a "minnow," keep these realities in mind:
- Watch the Home Games: The San Marino Stadium in Serravalle has become a legitimate fortress at the League D level. Their confidence at home is night and day compared to five years ago.
- Track Nicola Nanni: He’s the real deal. He plays professionally in Italy’s lower leagues and provides the hold-up play they’ve lacked for decades.
- League C will be Brutal: Expect the "standings" to look a bit grimmer in the next cycle. The jump from D to C is significant, and they might face a period of adjustment where they lose several games in a row again.
- Follow the Youth Pipeline: The San Marino Academy is finally producing players who have played together since they were ten years old. This chemistry is their secret weapon.
San Marino has officially graduated from being a footballing punchline. They are a promoted side with a trophy (well, a group win) and a future that actually involves meaningful games. Whether they can survive in League C is the next big question, but for now, they are sitting pretty at the top of their world.