The Indian football team reaped the benefits of its impressive Asian Cup qualification campaign, climbing two places to 104th in the latest FIFA world rankings released on Thursday. The Blue Tigers are ranked just below New Zealand (103), who missed out on a place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup after losing a 0-1 intercontinental play-off to Costa Rica earlier this month.
However, India’s ranking among Asian Football Confederation members remained unchanged at 19th. Sunil Chhetri’s side produced their best Asian Cup qualification campaign to date, winning all three of their league matches earlier this month to top group D and secure a spot in the 24-team Finals in 2023.
This was India’s fifth overall qualification in the competition and the first time in their history that they qualified for two Asian Cups in a row.
Iran retained the top spot among AFC countries in the overall world rankings (23). Brazil maintained its lead three months after displacing Belgium (2nd). Argentina moved up to third place, bumping France (4th) who paid the price for four losses in the UEFA Nations League. England, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Denmark round out the top ten. On August 25, the next FIFA world ranking will be released.
Source:IE