India ranked 100 in FIFA Rankings: Indian Football returns to top 100 after five years

For India, the rise is four sports as compared to the same time last year, with the team set to compete in two consecutive editions of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time.

India, under captain Sunil Chhetri, continues to rise in the FIFA Rankings after winning the Intercontinental Cup in June 2023. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Indian men’s national football team has climbed further in the latest FIFA World Rankings, rising from 101 to 100, surpassing Lebanon and New Zealand.

This is the first time the Blue Tigers have made it to the top 100 of the global rankings and since December 20, 2018 when they were 99th. And for head coach Igor Stimac, it is another feather in the cap, with the side gearing up for the SAFF Championship semifinal in Bengaluru.

FOLLOW THE MATCH LIVE HERE: India vs Kuwait, SAFF Championship final LIVE

Argentina, the FIFA World Cup 2022 winner, has retained the top spot above France while the United States of America has climbed closer to the top 10, climbing two sports from 13 to 11.

🇮🇳 move up to 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ in the latest FIFA Men's World Ranking 👏🏽

Steadily we rise 📈💪🏽#IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Zul4v3CYdG

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 29, 2023

What is the rank of India in FIFA?

The Indian football team’s current FIFA Ranking is 100.

Top 10 FIFA Rankings - June 23, 2023

1. Argentina

2. France

3. Brazil

4. England

5. Belgium

6. Croatia

7. Netherlands

8. Italy

9. Portugal

10. Spain

For India, the rise is four spots as compared to the same time last year, with the team set to compete in two consecutive editions of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time.

Stimac’s men have had a string of successful matches since a 0-3 loss to Vietnam in the VFF Tri-Series in September last year and have remained unbeaten in 2023 so far, with two draws and seven wins.

They have created a fortress at home, remaining unbeaten for about four years, with the last defeat coming against Oman in a 1-2 loss in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.

India won the Tri-Nations Series in Manipur in March and the Intercontinental Cup this year, registering comfortable wins over higher-ranked Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon (then higher-ranked) in the process.

#HeroIntercontinentalCup 2023 CHAMPIONS 😍🔥💪🏽

YOUR #BLUETIGERS 💙🇮🇳#IndianFootball ⚽️ #INDLBN ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/e55KRXUmWy

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 18, 2023

“I’m happy with the news, but we need to cement that position in our next few games,” Stimac was quoted telling the AIFF website, “We are improving from game to game. We have a great mood whenever we step out on the training pitch.”

The rise in the ranking comes after the recent win to over Lebanon -- an opponent India will face again in the SAFF Championship 2023 on July 1.

India’s FIFA Rankings from 2018 to 2023

March 15, 2018 – 99

June 7, 2018 – 97

August 16, 2018 – 96

September 20, 2018 – 97

February 7, 2019 – 97

April 4, 2019 – 101

July 25, 2019 – 103

September 19, 2019 – 104

October 24, 2019 – 106

November 28, 2019 – 108

September 17, 2020 – 109

October 22, 2020 – 108

November 26, 2020 – 104

April 7, 2021 – 105

September 16, 2021 – 107

October 21, 2021 – 106

November 19, 2021 – 104

March 31, 2022 – 106

June 23, 2022 – 104

October 6, 2022 – 106

April 6, 2023 – 101

June 29, 2023 – 100