The Indian men’s football team dropped to its lowest FIFA ranking in nine years, slipping six places to 133rd in the latest chart released on Thursday. The fall follows back-to-back defeats in June, including a 0-2 loss to Thailand in a friendly on June 4, followed by a 0-1 defeat to lower-ranked Hong Kong in an Asian Cup qualifying match. The disappointing run also saw head coach Manolo Marquez part ways with the All India Football Federation (AIFF). India last had a worse ranking in December 2016, when it was placed 135th. The country’s best-ever position in the FIFA rankings was 94, achieved in February 1996. India now holds 1113.22 rating points, down from 1132.03 previously. Among the 46 Asian nations, India sits 24th, with Japan leading the continental standings at 17th in the world.With the loss to Hong Kong seriously denting their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup, nothing seems to be going right for the Indian men’s team . Under Marquez’s brief tenure, the team managed just one win in eight matches , with a solitary victory over the Maldives in March.
India FIFA Rankings (Screengrab via X)
In 2024 so far, India have played four matches: winning one, drawing one, and losing two. The team’s poor form even prompted the return of former captain and veteran striker Sunil Chhetri, but his inclusion has yet to turn the tide.
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India’s next international fixture is scheduled for October, when they face Singapore away in the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers.
FIFA Rankings (Screengrab via X)
At the top of the FIFA rankings, world champions Argentina lead the 210-nation table, followed by Spain, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Croatia.
