THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

India move to best FIFA World Ranking in six years

Indian national team players celebrating one of the goals during the 4-1 win against Puerto Rico. (Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)

The latest FIFA World Ranking were released by the world football governing body and in it India moved up eleven places to 137th position behind Vietnam and ahead of Burundi.

India have 230 points, 25 more than last month and also gain four spots as 22nd position in the Asian (AFC) rankings.

India gained the points from last months international friendly victory against Puerto Rico with the Caribbean islanders losing 13 spots to be now joint 151th. At the moment India has no matches lined-up for the next few months though the AIFF is looking to play another friendly before the start of the I-League.

In South Asia, India remain in top spot ahead of Afghanistan (145th), Maldives (158th), Bhutan (179th), Nepal (186th), Bangladesh (188th), Sri Lanka (194th) and Pakistan (197th).

There were some changes in the top 5. Argentina stay in top position with 1,621 points, but FIFA World Cup winners Germany (1,465 pts) and Brazil (1,410 pts) both gained a spot with Belgium (1,382 pts) dropping two places into fourth while Colombia (1,323 pts) dropped a place to be fifth in the world rankings.