Sports

FIFA Rankings: India retains 124th spot, Argentina consolidates top position with Copa America title

New Delhi:  The Indian football team has retained its 124th spot while Lionel Messi’s Argentina consolidated the top position in the latest FIFA rankings issued on Thursday. Argentina’s unbeaten run to the continental title glory strengthened their hold at the top spot.

India heaved a sigh of relief as it didn’t drop any place in the rankings after descending three spots in the previous rankings updated in June after a failed 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

India’s performance has been declining since December last year. It had ranked 99 at its highest point when it first entered the top 100 last year, but it has since been falling.

In Asia, India are placed in the 22nd spot, behind the likes of Syria, Palestine, and Vietnam.

France maintained their second spot in the rankings after making it to the semifinals of Euro 2024.

European champions Spain gained five places to finish third while finalist England moved up one place to fourth ahead of Brazil, which dropped to fifth. Belgium fell three places to sixth, now outside the top five, followed by the Netherlands in seventh, and Portugal, which dropped two places to eighth.

Colombia, despite a narrow loss to Argentina in the Copa America final, moved up three places to ninth, marking its return to the top 10.

–IANS

Bureau The News Hashtag

Recent Posts

Odisha Initiates Withdrawal of MLA Salary Hike Bill Amid Criticism

Bhubaneswar: Responding to mounting criticism and political consensus, the Odisha government has begun the process…

3 days ago

Gurvindervir Singh Sets National Record as National Indoor Athletics Championships Conclude in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The inaugural edition of the National Indoor Athletics Championships concluded on a high note…

4 days ago

CPET 2026 to Begin from May 5; Over 58,000 Candidates Apply for PG Admissions in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha has announced that the Common PG Entrance…

4 days ago

Odisha Nears Record Paddy Procurement as Kharif Season Enters Final Phase

Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has nearly concluded paddy procurement for the 2025–26 Kharif season,…

4 days ago

ORMAS Procures 128 MT Tomatoes to Ensure Fair Prices for Farmers in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Strengthening its efforts to stabilise farm incomes and streamline agricultural marketing, the Odisha Rural…

4 days ago

Odisha Bets on Mushroom Farming to Boost Farmer Incomes at Conclave 2026

Bhubaneswar: With a growing focus on sustainable agriculture and income diversification, the Agricultural Promotion and…

4 days ago