The Indian men’s football team climbed up one spot to 99th in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday, attaining its best position in five years.
India, who were ranked 100th at the start of the month, have had a stellar 2023 in football. They won the Tri-Nation Series in March, the Intercontinental Cup in June and the SAFF Championship earlier this month. During the year, they also enjoyed a streak of eight clean sheets.
Currently coached by Igor Stimac and led by Sunil Chhetri, the Indian men’s football team will be in action next at the King’s Cup in Thailand in September. India are also slated to play the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia in October and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November-December.
India’s best FIFA ranking is 94th, achieved in 1996. The last time India were in the top 100 was in 2018 when they were world No. 96.
India, however, are only the 18th-best team in Asia. World No. 20 Japan are the top-ranked Asian football team ahead of Iran.
World champions Argentina are the top-ranked team in the FIFA standings ahead of France, Brazil and England.
The United States are the No. 1 in women’s football. They are followed by Germany, Sweden and England. All four teams are currently playing the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.
The Indian women’s football team is ranked 60th.
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