The Fiji soccer team has received bad news as they prepare to leave our shores tonight for the Pacific Games in Samoa.

In the latest soccer rankings released by FIFA, this has seen the National side slip 5 places although they defeated New Zealand 1-0 in the second leg earlier this month.

Carlos Buzetti coached side is now ranked 170th in the world as previously they were on 165th.

The bad news is that their rivals in the Pacific Games soccer competition the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are ranked above them at 161st, 167th and 168th respectively.

Fiji will defend the Gold medal in Apia and also must finish in the top three to qualify for the 2010 World Cup soccer playoffs.