What’s the story?
India can break into the top 100 of the FIFA rankings when they are published next month, something which could be confirmed as early as April 20. They could leapfrog the current 100th-ranked team, Malawi, should the African side fail to win even one of their two matches this month.
Malawi takes on Madagascar later this month in two qualifiers for the 2018 African Nations Championship. The first leg is on 20 April, while the second leg is scheduled for 28 April. Should the Flames fail to win both their qualifiers, India could be among the world’s top 100 national teams.
The context
India jumped 32 places in the FIFA rankings for April that saw them rise to 101st in the world. The Blue Tigers’ current ranking is the highest they have reached since 2000. As things stand, India sits above the likes of New Zealand, Canada and Iraq in the rankings.
With no matches this month, India will pin their hopes on 120-ranked Madagascar denying Malawi two wins to jump a place. In their worst-case scenario, Malawi could even drop to 114th in the rankings ladder.
The heart of the matter
The national team’s rise in the FIFA rankings has coincided with the upward trajectory of Indian football of late. With the Under-17 World Cup on the horizon, Indian football’s rising standing at the global level bodes well for the future of the sport in India.
With the advent of the ISL in 2014 coupled with the ascent of the Blue Tigers in the ensuing years, things are on the up for India as a footballing nation. Breaking into the top 100 will be another step in the right direction.
What’s next?
It is not a certainty that India will make the top 100 for the May rankings. However, there is a chance of it happening should results elsewhere go in the Blue Tigers’ favour.
India’s next match is a friendly against Lebanon on 7 June. Before that, the Blue Tigers have to depend on other teams’ results to make movements in the rankings table.
Author’s take
While FIFA rankings aren’t an objective way to assess teams, the national team getting into the top 100 will only serve to boost Indian football. With the Under-17 World Cup being billed as one to build India’s footballing legacy, any surge up the rankings can be seen as a contribution to India’s growing footballing scene.
