The Indian national team in training. (Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)
The latest FIFA ‘Coca-Cola’ Men’s World Ranking were released by the world football governing body yesterday and in the October rankings, India are up a place in 106th behind Estonia, but ahead of Sierra Leone; while 2018 FIFA World Cup semifinalists Belgium stays No. 1.
India have 1183 points, two more than last month and they stay in 19th position of the Asian (AFC) rankings.
India won the recently concluded SAFF Championship 2021 with no confirmed matches in the coming weeks.
In South Asia, India remain in top spot ahead of the Maldives (156th), Nepal (169th), Bhutan (186th), Bangladesh (187th), Pakistan (197th) and Sri Lanka (204th) in what was another mixed month for the region.
There were some changes across the top 5. Belgium (1,832 points) stay No. 1, ahead of second-placed Brazil (1,820 points), while 2018 FIFA World Cup winners France (1,779 pts) and recent 2020 UEFA European Championship winners Italy (1,750 points) gain a spot each with England (1,750 pts) move down a couple of spots to complete the top five.