In the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying match, the Indian football team faced a surprising defeat against Bangladesh, leading to its lowest FIFA ranking in a decade. India is currently ranked 142nd. This loss marks the first time in twenty years India has lost to Bangladesh, coupled with a disappointing defeat to Singapore last month in Goa, raising concerns among fans.
In the last five qualifying matches, the Blue Tigers have not won any games. This has led to a drop of 40 positions from 102nd in December 2023. This is the biggest setback since India was ranked 148th in October 2016. Currently, India holds the 27th position among 46 Asian countries.
This decline is reflected not just on the field but also in the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL), India’s domestic football scene. This instability raises questions about the future of Indian football.