Football: India Football Tanked to Their Worst FIFA Ranking in Almost a Decade
by Geoffrey Ejiga | by Geoffrey Ejiga
India's Asian Cup hopes are hanging by a thread .
India's football team has descended to 133, its lowest FIFA ranking in nearly a decade as the Tigers suffer a string of early cup exits and poor managerial changes. The last time India had a lower ranking was in 2016 when they were placed 135.
In 2025 so far, India has managed to win one of eight games. They spent the entire 2024 winless and crashed out of the World Cup qualifiers under Manolo Marquez, who mutually agreed to step down last month.
The biggest talking point is India's lack of goalscoring under Marquez. They did not score in five of the eight games. In the other three, they scored just five goals, three of which came against a lower-ranked Maldives. India's loss against Hong Kong only made matters worse because the Tigers are now in doubt of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup. Only group winners advance to the knockouts, and India is at the bottom of Group C.
Indian Super League suspension and legal challenges
India football's troubles are not just on the pitch. There is also ongoing concern about the ISL (Indian Super League), after event organizers announced the 2025-2026 season on hold.
Football Sports Development Limited, AIIF's official partner, told clubs that an unresolved MRA (Master Rights Agreement) is the reason for the league's suspension. Signed in 2010 for 15 years, the deal expires in December 2025, and AIFF's failure to offer a new deal has put the league's future in limbo. Sources close to the matter say the Supreme Court directed AIFF not to renew the MRA since its review of the Constitution, adding to the concern.
The ISL suspension highlights many of the stumbling blocks faced by India's football community over the recent years. Lovers of the game and club stakeholders remain optimistic that the AIFF and FSDL will reach an agreement in the coming weeks.
India Sunil Chhetri urges everyone to stay united. Amid the growing concern, India captain Sunil Chhetri has expressed his discomfort over the indefinite suspension of the Indian Super League.
“The current situation that India finds itself in is very concerning. I've received a flurry of texts from players, staff members, physios, masseurs - not just from my club but other clubs as well,” India's record goalscorer wrote on Instagram.
“Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, and scared about the uncertainty we are faced with. I may not have all the answers, but my message to all those involved… please stay calm. We will ride this storm together. Stick together and look out for each other. Keep training and getting better. Football has to resume soon. It will”
India's next match is against Singapore in the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers in October. Singapore is top of Group C, followed by Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and India. For insights, see what our SportyTrader experts say will happen in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
