India retain its 106th position in latest FIFA rankings

The Blue Tigers were last in action in the month of September.

India held on to its 106th position in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday (December 22). While Brazil and Argentina, the World Cup 2022 winners, are first and second, respectively. The Blue Tigers have been ranked 106th for quite sometime now. They also held that position when the rankings were last updated on October 6.

India are also ranked 19th in Asia behind the likes of Vietnam, Bahrain and Jordan. Japan, who advanced to the last 16 stages of the FIFA World Cup 2022, lead the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in terms of rankings. The Samurai Blue are ranked 20th in the world. They topped their group ahead of Spain and Germany during the World Cup group stages.

Related: India jump five places to 101 in latest FIFA April rankings

Japan are followed by fellow World Cup participants Iran, South Korea, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Iran, who dropped four places, South Korea and Australia are the other three Asian teams inside the top 30.

The Blue Tigers were last in action in the month of September when they participated in two international friendlies in Vietnam. India faced Singapore and hosts Vietnam in the three-team friendly tournament. Igor Stimac's boys played a 1-1 draw against Singapore in their opening match, before being thrashed 0-3 by Vietnam in the other friendly.

India are next expected to be in action in March during the first international window of the year. March 20-28 is the first international window of the year 2023. The Blue Tigers would want to play a couple of international friendlies as they prepare for the AFC Asian Cup 2023. The next edition of the AFC Asian Cup will take place in Qatar. Initially, the tournament was scheduled to take place in China, but Qatar won the hosting rights after China withdrew.

Overall FIFA Rankings

Brazil continue to hold onto the top spot ahead of newly crowned World Champions Argentina. Unlucky losers in the final, France moved a spot up to the third position. Belgium and England complete the top five ranked teams in the latest FIFA rankings.

Meanwhile, Morocco were the biggest progressor climbing as high as 11 positions to be ranked 11th. Similarly, Australia also jumped 11 places to move to the 27th position, while Cameroon moved 10 places to the 33rd position.