FIFA Rankings: Portugal climb to fifth as Belgium remain top, India static at 101

The Indian football team remained static at 101st place in the FIFA rankings issued Friday. India had finished third in the King’s Cup in Thailand, which the organisers had said was a FIFA-sanctioned tournament.

Igor Stimac’s men had lost to higher-ranked Curacao 1-3 before beating hosts Thailand 1-0, but these results did not make any difference to India’s rankings.

India’s ranking points remained the same — 1219 — as that of the previous list, issued on April 4.

The Indian team is at 18th spot among the Asian countries led by Iran (20th). Japan (28), Korea (37), Australia (43) and Qatar (55) form the top five in Asia.

Portugal climbed two places to fifth in the latest FIFA rankings on Friday after adding the inaugural Nations League title to their European Championship crown.

Fernando Santos’ side leapfrogged Croatia and Uruguay.

Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the final in Porto thanks to a second-half strike from Goncalo Guedes, after a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick had seen them past Switzerland in the semis.

The Dutch, who failed to qualify for both Euro 2016 and last year’s World Cup, also gained two spots, rising to a tie for 14th.

Belgium remain atop the rankings ahead of world champions France after back-to-back 3-0 wins over Kazakhstan and Scotland in Euro 2020 qualifying.

FIFA rankings

1. Belgium

2. France

3. Brazil

4. England

5. Portugal (+2)

First Published:
Jun 14, 2019 18:56 IST

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