Since its introduction in August 1993, the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking has become a regular part of international sports reports and an important indicator for FIFA's member associations to find out where their respective teams stand in world football's pecking order, and how they are progressing.
In the latest rankings for December 2009, The Gambia moved six points up in the world and a single point up in Africa. They are now 116 in the world and 32 in Africa contrary to last month when they were at 122 and 33 positions, respectively.
Algeria have reached their highest ever Fifa world ranking, after securing a place at the World Cup in 2010.
The Desert Foxes needed a play-off against their North African rivals Egypt to make it to South Africa.
They are now at 26th in the global table and 5th in the African rankings, sandwiched between Egypt and Ghana.
Spain remains the world's top rated side ahead of Brazil, while Cameroon stay top in Africa, just outside the global top ten.
The Indomitable Lions are 11th in the world rankings, just behind Croatia.
Algeria have had a good year overall, earning as many points as Brazil and soaring 38 places up the table.
Ivory Coast and Nigeria are in second and third place, respectively in the African list - 16th and 22nd in the world.