Men’s Team Faces Worst Ranking Since 2017

The latest FIFA rankings released on June 20, 2024, have seen the Indian men’s football team fall three places to 124th position, marking their lowest rank since 2017. This decline follows a challenging international window where the team managed only one point out of a possible six.

India drew against Kuwait at home but suffered a loss to Qatar, missing the chance to advance to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. These poor results have led to a drop of nearly seven points in the rankings, bringing their total to 1139.39. Despite this setback, India still holds the 22nd spot in the Asian Football Confederation.

Coaching Crisis

Adding to the turmoil, the Indian team’s head coach was recently dismissed. This decision was made during a crucial meeting involving technical committee head IM Vijayan and member Climax Lawrence, both respected former internationals. The primary reason for this decision was the coach’s failure to lead the team to the third round of qualifiers and a series of disappointing performances.

The Croatian coach labeled his dismissal as ‘unilateral’ and threatened legal action against the All India Football Federation (AIFF). He also accused AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey of repeatedly breaching their contract. Despite the ongoing feud, the AIFF’s immediate focus is on finding a capable replacement to lead the team forward.

Women’s Team Also Drops in Rankings

The Indian women’s football team has also experienced a slight dip in the latest FIFA rankings, falling from 66th to 67th. Despite this minor setback, the team remains committed to climbing back up. They have maintained a consistent points total of 1389.02, reflecting a stable and competitive performance level.

The FIFA women’s rankings are based on a points system that considers match results, the significance of matches, and the strength of opponents. Each match provides an opportunity to gain points and improve rankings.

The Indian women’s team is determined to leverage upcoming matches to demonstrate their skill and strategic approach. Climbing the FIFA rankings is a gradual process, and the team’s dedication and perseverance will be key to achieving their goals.

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