Know Indian football team’s highest FIFA ranking since 1992

The Indian football team only recently entered the top 100 in the FIFA rankings for the first time in five years. 

Led by captain Sunil Chhetri, the Indian football team’s FIFA ranking had recently improved from 101 to 100, courtesy their impressive showing in the Intercontinental Cup 2023 and the SAFF Championship 2023.

The last time India was in the top 100 of the FIFA rankings was in December 2018 when the Blue Tigers were ranked 99th in the world. Almost five years after their last stint in the sub-100 region, the Blue Tigers now find themselves ranked 99th in the world once again in July 2023.

The men’s FIFA World rankings were introduced for the first time in December 1992. Back then, the Indian football team was ranked 143rd in the FIFA rankings when it was launched.

Since then, India has witnessed several ups and downs in the men’s FIFA World Rankings. Football fanatics in the country often want to know the Indian football team’s highest FIFA ranking and here we have a look their highest-ever ranking while charting their fluctuation in ranking over the years.

What is the Indian football team’s highest FIFA ranking?

The Indian football team’s highest FIFA ranking is 94, which was achieved in February 1996.

Under the tutelage of former head coach Stephen Constantine, India were also ranked 96th in the FIFA rankings in 2017 and 2018.

The Indian football team made massive progress under Stephen Constantine after he took over the reins for the second time in 2015.

While India slipped to 173rd place in the FIFA rankings in 2015, the Blue Tigers later jumped to 96th in the next two years.

In the last five years, India have maintained their FIFA rankings between 99 and 109. Let’s take a look at the Indian football team’s FIFA rankings by each year since 1992.

Indian football team’s FIFA ranking by each year since 1992

Photo credit: Alamy