India Slumps to Worst FIFA Ranking in 9 Years After Recent Losses

In the July 2025 FIFA World Rankings, the Indian men’s national football team dropped six places to 133rd, marking its lowest position since December 2016

What Triggered the Decline?

• June Defeats:
  • Lost 0–2 to Thailand in an international friendly on June 4.
  • Shock 0–1 loss to lower-ranked Hong Kong during an Asian Cup qualifier
• These results led to consequence:
  • Head coach Manolo Márquez parted ways with AIFF
  • India’s ranking score fell from 1132.03 to 1113.22, losing 18.81 points

Historical Context

• Last lowest: December 2016 at 135th place.
• Peak performance: February 1996, reaching a high of 94th globally
• Among the 46 AFC nations, India now ranks 24th, lagging behind Japan (17th) and regional rivals

Performance Under the Microscope

• Under Márquez (appointed July 2024), the team recorded only one win in their last eight games—a 3–0 victory over Maldives in March
• In 2025 alone: Played four, won one, drew one, lost two—adding pressure despite the return of legendary striker Sunil Chhetri
• Asian Cup qualification now looks bleak: India is bottom of its group following the Hong Kong loss

What’s Next for the Blue Tigers?

• New coach search: AIFF will soon release a job profile to fill the vacant coach position
• Asian Cup qualifiers resumed: India faces Singapore away in October in its next qualifying fixture
• Urgent turnaround needed: With a 70-day window until the next FIFA rankings on Sept 18, India must win upcoming matches to recover ground

Why This Matters

• Team morale & public perception: A drop like this affects confidence and national sentiment around Indian football.
• AFC aspirations: Performances and rankings play a critical role in seeding, tournament placements, and future sponsorship.
• Development alarm: The slump highlights systemic issues in player development, coaching, and international match preparedness.

Summary Table