India jump to 99 in latest FIFA Rankings

The Blue tigers have now officially confirmed a place in pot 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers (draw).

India have attained another incredible feat, as the Men’s national team have been ranked 99th in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings in the latest update published today (20 July). After their recent climb in the top 100 after five years, India gained another spot after their exploits in the SAFF Championship (and the final game in the Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023).

India’s 99th ranking in the FIFA World rankings, also deems them as the 18th highest ranked team in Asia, and confirms the Blue Tigers a place in pot 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers (AFC).

Why a spot in pot 2 is crucial for India

India have confirmed a place in pot 2 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, which means they will be the lowest-ranked team in Pot 2, and will therefore avoid eight out of the 17 higher-ranked Asian nations in the qualifiers.

This means that India will be placed in a much better group, with a majority of lower ranked teams. This would therefore increase the Blue Tigers’ chances of making it to the top 2, and advancing into the latter stages of qualification.

A promising future for the national team

India have been on a dream run in the past few weeks. The Blue Tigers have not only gotten their hands on two consecutive silverware, but have impressed time and again against some very tough teams, which poses as a testament to their progress.

The Blue Tigers have prepared exceptionally well during the off season period, and have gotten stronger and better as a team. 

Igor Stimac also seems to have found his ideal starting XI, and his philosophy has been very well interpreted by all his students.

Whether India will be the dark horses in the AFC Asian Cup, or whether they will make it to the World Cup in 2026, still remains to be a major doubt, but one thing's for sure, that Indian football is on the upward slope yet again, and fans can all be sure of better things to come in the near future.