Indian football continues to sink, Asian Cup elimination leads to lowest FIFA ranking in nine years
Posted on: Oct 18, 2025 08:22 IST | Posted by: Hindustantimes
The amerindic men’s football game team up continues to be in a tell of release fall through the FIFA rankings, as another international break with poor results has led to the Blue Tigers slipping down to 136th in the world. This is the lowest India has been in the FIFA rankings since November 2016, as cause for concern grows within the AIFF.
This low point in the rankings scale comes around after a week in which India’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive AFC Asian Cup were undone, beaten by Singapore to be mathematically out of contention from qualifying into the main draw for the 2027 tournament. Along with elimination from qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup, India’s presence on the world stage of international football grows blurrier and blurrier.
India had cracked the top 100 of the FIFA world rankings in July 2023, but it has been an absolutely torrid run since then: the Blue Tigers last won a competitive football match in November 2023, which means they are winless outside of friendly competition in nearly 2 years.
This is a period that has also seen a lot of upheaval within Indian football, on both an administrative and coaching level. The lack of certainty and solidness behind the scenes has contributed to India’s struggles: coach Igor Stimac was replaced by Manolo Marquez, but the Spaniard was unable to right the ship before he too was shown the door.
Khalid Jamil comes in as the first Indian coach for the team in over two decades, and while he has shown signs of improvement in play, the results continue to go against India. With plenty of question marks and doubts surrounding domestic football in recent months to boot, it has been a year for India to forget – but the goal will be to stop this slide down the rankings, and then meticulousloy build their way back up into a strong position.
It is better news for the women’s teams, where the senior squad has won four matches in a row to get a strong start to the Women’s Asian Cup qualification campaign, and stop their own slide down the rankings. Meanwhile, the U-17 women’s team sealed qualification to the U-17 Asian Cup for the first time in 20 years.
Global News Perspectives
In today's interconnected world, staying informed about global events is more important than ever. ZisNews provides news coverage from multiple countries, allowing you to compare how different regions report on the same stories. This unique approach helps you gain a broader and more balanced understanding of international affairs. Whether it's politics, business, technology, or cultural trends, ZisNews ensures that you get a well-rounded perspective rather than a one-sided view. Expand your knowledge and see how global narratives unfold from different angles.
Customizable News Feed
At ZisNews, we understand that not every news story interests everyone. That's why we offer a customizable news feed, allowing you to control what you see. By adding keywords, you can filter out unwanted news, blocking articles that contain specific words in their titles or descriptions. This feature enables you to create a personalized experience where you only receive content that aligns with your interests. Register today to take full advantage of this functionality and enjoy a distraction-free news feed.
Like or Comment on News
Stay engaged with the news by interacting with stories that matter to you. Like or dislike articles based on your opinion, and share your thoughts in the comments section. Join discussions, see what others are saying, and be a part of an informed community that values meaningful conversations.
Download the Android App
For a seamless news experience, download the ZisNews Android app. Get instant notifications based on your selected categories and stay updated on breaking news. The app also allows you to block unwanted news, ensuring that you only receive content that aligns with your preferences. Stay connected anytime, anywhere.
Diverse News Categories
With ZisNews, you can explore a wide range of topics, ensuring that you never miss important developments. From Technology and Science to Sports, Politics, and Entertainment, we bring you the latest updates from the world's most trusted sources. Whether you are interested in groundbreaking scientific discoveries, tech innovations, or major sports events, our platform keeps you updated in real-time. Our carefully curated news selection helps you stay ahead, providing accurate and relevant stories tailored to diverse interests.
No comments yet.