The Indian football team has fallen in the latest FIFA World Rankings, dropping from 125th to 127th in the November 2024 update. The year under coach Manolo Márquez has been challenging, with a series of underwhelming performances and disappointing results throughout 2024. Despite efforts to improve, the team struggled to find consistent form, affecting their position in the global rankings. As India aims for better performances, a strong focus on team development and strategic improvements will be crucial for climbing back up in future updates.

This decline follows a winless streak that began after their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kuwait in November 2023 during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The rankings highlight the team’s struggles to find consistency amid a challenging transition period under the Spanish coach. The drop reflects the current state of Indian football and the hurdles this iteration of the team faces.

The Indian football team experienced a year of ups and downs.

Indian Football Team Slips Two Spots in Latest FIFA Rankings

The team is enduring a challenging phase, remaining winless in their last 12 matches across all competitions. Under the guidance of new head coach Marquez, they have failed to secure a victory in four games. Since their triumph over Kuwait, the team has only managed five draws and seven losses, including a 1-1 stalemate against Malaysia in a recent friendly match.

This string of poor results has significantly impacted their FIFA ranking, causing them to lose valuable points and slip below nations like Rwanda, Gambia, and Indonesia. The team, currently in transition, is grappling with the aftermath of Sunil Chhetri’s retirement. As a national icon and legendary figure, Chhetri’s departure has left a void, adding to the team’s struggles on and off the pitch.

The lack of positive results and the absence of a seasoned leader has put the team in a precarious position, making their rebuilding phase even more daunting. With morale low and the pressure mounting, they must find a way to adapt quickly and deliver better performances to regain their standing in international football.

Could Indian Football Be on the Brink of a Resurgence?

Despite setbacks in the world rankings, India’s Sports Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, remains optimistic about the future of football in the country. Mandaviya recently highlighted the potential for India to make significant strides in the upcoming world rankings, expressing confidence in the sport’s growth. He emphasized plans to strengthen grassroots football through enhanced coach development and the establishment of more AIFF-FIFA-affiliated academies. These initiatives are aimed at nurturing young talent and professionalizing the sport further.

However, while these measures are a step in the right direction, the goal of breaking into the top 50 rankings remains a distant dream at present. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has outlined plans to develop regional academies and improve infrastructure, yet much more is needed to compete at the highest levels. India’s best-ever FIFA ranking of 94th, achieved in 1996, is a distant memory, and the nation has struggled to breach the top 100 since then.

Despite the government’s increased focus on youth development and growing support for football, the national team’s on-field performance requires substantial improvement for meaningful progress. Achieving ambitious goals will demand rapid evolution of India’s football ecosystem. However, breaking into the top 50 in the FIFA rankings remains a challenging task without major advancements in team performance, infrastructure, and overall development. While the foundation is being laid, India still faces significant hurdles in closing the gap with the world’s top footballing nations. Immediate and strategic efforts are essential to reach higher levels of international success.