Indian football team rise to 99 in FIFA rankings, first time since 2018

The Indian football team rose one spot in the latest FIFA rankings. India ranked 100th in the world last month have now entered a sub-100 ranking for the first time since 2108.

Under the leadership of the iconic Sunil Chhetri, India has been making significant strides in the world of international football. The team's recent performances in the Intercontinental and SAFF Cup has seen them climb up to rank 99 in the latest FIFA rankings, a commendable achievement considering their ranking of 106 in March 2023.

One of the most notable achievements for the Indian football team in recent times was their victory in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship. The team showcased improved fitness and demonstrated the benefits of extended training time ahead of the Asian Cup. Their style of attacking football, utilising the strengths of players like Lallianzuala Chhangte and Sahal Abdul Samad, was particularly noteworthy.

Sunil Chhetri, widely regarded as the greatest Indian football player of



all time, has been instrumental in the team's success. With 85 goals in 133 matches, Chhetri is the highest goal-scorer in the history of the Indian national team. He is also the fourth-highest goalscorer in international matches, just behind Lionel Messi.

Despite the team's recent successes, it's important to remember that the journey hasn't always been smooth. In March 2015, India reached their lowest FIFA ranking position of 173. However, the team managed to bounce back, showcasing their resilience and determination. Their efforts culminated in reaching the third round of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers after defeating Laos in the play-off round on aggregate 7–1.

While the Indian football team has yet to make an appearance in a men's or women's World Cup, their recent performances indicate a promising future. The Indian head coach Igor Stimac recently wrote to the Prime Minister of India to let the Indian team play in the Asian Games 2023. Stimac in his letter stated the good that exposure will do to the Indian team.