The Indian men’s football team has plunged to 133rd in the latest FIFA world rankings, marking its lowest position in nearly a decade. The last time India ranked lower was in December 2016, when the team sat at 135. Thursday’s rankings reflect a steep six-place drop from the previous update, highlighting a prolonged period of decline for the Blue Tigers.
This latest slide is part of a worrying trend that began at the end of 2023. Once riding high after a stellar year that saw them lift three trophies and break into the top 100, India has since suffered a dramatic downturn in form. The team exited early from the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and was knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers shortly thereafter.
Despite a coaching change from Igor Stimac to Manolo Marquez, the downward spiral continued. Under Marquez’s leadership, India failed to register a single competitive win in over 16 months. His tenure ended earlier this month following a 0-1 defeat to Hong Kong in the third round of 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers—a result that now stands as his final outing in charge.
India’s six-spot fall is tied as the second-largest drop in this cycle of FIFA rankings, equaling the declines suffered by Chinese Taipei, Cayman Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, El Salvador, and Slovakia. Only four countries—Congo, the Maldives, Haiti, and Jamaica—experienced a steeper fall, dropping seven places each.
The sharp decline comes as a sobering reality for Indian football, which had shown glimpses of upward trajectory just a year ago. The current ranking reflects both poor performances on the pitch and a lack of stability off it, with the national team now once again searching for a new head coach.
As India stares at another rebuilding phase, the focus will shift toward restoring structure, confidence, and results. The upcoming months will be crucial in determining whether the Blue Tigers can arrest this slide and rediscover the form that once brought them into global relevance. For now, the team faces hard questions and the challenge of earning back both respect and ranking.
