The Indian men’s football team has recently fallen to its lowest FIFA ranking in nine years, now placed 133rd globally, signaling a challenging period for the sport in the country.
A Significant Drop in Rankings
In the latest FIFA rankings, India’s national football team slipped six places to land at 133. This marks their worst standing since December 2016, when they were positioned at 135th.
Globally, Argentina maintains its top spot, followed by football powerhouses like Spain, France, England, and Brazil. India currently holds 1113.22 rating points, down from 1132.03 previously, and ranks 24th among 46 Asian nations.
Recent Struggles on the Pitch
The recent slump in rankings follows a series of disappointing international performances. The team suffered a 0-2 loss to Thailand in a friendly match and a 0-1 defeat against a lower-ranked Hong Kong side in an Asian Cup qualifier.
These two crucial losses, both occurring in June, have significantly impacted India’s standing and led to considerable introspection within the football federation.
Coaching Change and Future Plans
Following the string of poor results, head coach Manolo Marquez has departed from his role. The All India Football Federation’s acting general secretary, M Satyanarayan, confirmed that the decision was a mutual agreement to part ways, finalized during a recent Executive Committee meeting.
The federation is now actively searching for a new head coach. Satyanarayan stated that a job profile would be prepared within days to invite applications, ensuring a thorough selection process to find the right candidate.
Performance Under Former Coach Marquez
Under Manolo Marquez’s tenure, the Indian team’s performance has been a concern, with only one victory in their last eight matches. This sole win came against Maldives in March.
In 2025 alone, the team has played four matches, securing one win, one draw, and two losses. Even the highly anticipated return of iconic striker Sunil Chhetri from his 2024 retirement has not been enough to reverse the team’s fortunes.
Historical Context and What’s Next
While the current ranking is disheartening, India’s all-time best FIFA ranking was 94th, achieved back in February 1996. The team’s immediate focus will be on their upcoming international fixture, an away match against Singapore in the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers, scheduled for October.
- India’s current FIFA ranking is 133rd, their lowest in nine years.
- The team lost its last two international matches, contributing to the ranking drop.
- Head coach Manolo Marquez has mutually parted ways with the federation.
- India’s best-ever ranking was 94th in 1996, highlighting a significant decline.
The road ahead for Indian football appears challenging, with the federation now tasked with finding a new leader to steer the team back to a stronger global standing.
