Indian Football FIFA Ranking From 1996-2025)

The Indian men’s national football team’s journey in the FIFA World Rankings has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by periods of promising highs and disheartening lows. However, over the last two years, it has gone from bad to worse, as they are now ranked 133rd.

This reflects a slight dip in recent times, a stark contrast to the progress witnessed in the preceding years. The team’s highest-ever ranking of 94 was achieved in February 1996, a period considered a golden era for Indian football. Conversely, the team’s lowest ranking ever was 173, which occurred in March 2015.

Indian Football Team Ranking By FIFA

Here’s a look at the year-end FIFA rankings for the Indian football team over the past several years, showcasing their fluctuating fortunes on the global stage:

Year	Year-End FIFA Ranking	Highest Annual Ranking	Lowest Annual Ranking
2025	133 (Current)	133 (Current)	133 (Current)
2024	126	117	127
2023	102	99	102
2022	106	104	106
2021	104	104	107
2020	104	104	109
2019	108	101	108
2018	97	96	102
2017	105	96	132
2016	135	135	163
2015	166	141	173
2014	171	145	171
2013	156	143	167
2012	166	154	169
2011	162	144	163
2010	142	130	160
2000	122	106	122
1996	120	94	124

The rankings have often been a direct reflection of the team’s performance in international competitions, including the AFC Asian Cup, SAFF Championship, and FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The period leading up to 2017 and 2018 saw a significant surge, with the team breaking into the top 100, largely attributed to a string of positive results under then-coach Stephen Constantine.

However, the years since have seen a more inconsistent trajectory. While there have been moments of triumph, such as victories in the SAFF Championship, the team’s inability to consistently secure positive results against higher-ranked opponents has impacted its standing. The recent performance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers has been a key factor in the current ranking.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the national team management will be looking to strategize and implement measures to improve the team’s performance and once again climb the FIFA ladder, with the hope of consistently being among the top footballing nations in Asia.

After the latest loss against Hong Kong, the Indian Football team hit its lowest ranking in the past nine years, ranking 133rd, which is unacceptable to any Indian football fan who has supported the Indian team throughout its low points, even though it failed to qualify for the World Cup once again.