New Delhi, Oct 17: Indian football has once again found itself at a crossroads. The men’s national team dropped two places to 136th in the latest FIFA rankings — its lowest position in nine years — after a disappointing run against Singapore that effectively ended its hopes of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
India’s downward slide comes as a grim reflection of the state of affairs both on and off the pitch. Under head coach Khalid Jamil, who was handed the reins amid much debate, the team has looked increasingly toothless, bereft of creativity and tactical discipline.
The recent performances — a scrappy 1-1 draw in Singapore followed by a 1-2 defeat at home in Margao — summed up a campaign marked by lack of ideas and cohesion.
The statistics speak volumes. India now sits below Kuwait and just a spot above Botswana, a damning indicator of regression for a team that, not long ago, had shown promise of breaking into the Asian elite.
The last time India slipped this low was back in 2016, before a period of revival that saw them touch 94th in 1996 — their best-ever ranking.
Critics have been quick to point fingers not only at the underwhelming tactics of Jamil but also at the All India Football Federation (AIFF), which has been accused of poor planning, hasty decision-making, and lack of long-term vision. (PTI)
