The Indian National Football Team achieved its best-ever FIFA Ranking since February 1996 as they were ranked 96 in the July, 2017 according to latest FIFA World Ranking. In the process, India are currently placed 12th in Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

India’s best-ever FIFA Ranking till date stays 94 which was attained in February 1996 while 99 stayed India’s second-best FIFA Ranking which was also achieved in November 1993.

Commenting on the latest ranking, Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel said that we are going through a golden period of football and the best is yet to come. He said that with the upcoming FIFA U-17 Football World Cup in India (in October, 2017) and the ongoing Mission XI Million programme which aims to take football across India and among eleven million kids, India will surely be the next big bright spot in global football.

Shri Goel said that the present FIFA ranking doesn’t mean that India have achieved much. We need to stay focused on the challenges to overcome the difficulties to realize the full potential in sports. He said, his Ministry is committed to provide the best facilities to the players, coaches and support staff.

(Press Information Bureau, Government of India)