During the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, the Indian men’s football team endured a dismal run, marked by three successive defeats and a complete absence of victories throughout the championship. Adding to their woes, they failed to find the back of the net in any of their group-stage encounters.

The repercussions of India’s disappointing showing were evident in the FIFA rankings, as the Blue Tigers plummeted 15 spots, landing at 117th position. This significant decline in ranking was accompanied by a loss of 35.57 points, highlighting the substantial toll exacted by their lackluster performance on the global stage.

Prior to the commencement of the AFC Asian Cup, India held the 102nd spot in the FIFA rankings. However, in the latest update, the team has experienced a notable decline, now positioned at 117th. This marks India’s lowest ranking since 2017, a stark contrast to their peak that year when they reached 96th place. The drop in ranking presents a significant setback for the Blue Tigers, surpassing the disappointment of their performance in the tournament itself.

Throughout the duration of the championships, India’s ranking steadily declined with each game, underscoring their inability to register a single goal.

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India’s Disappointing Journey in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup: A Tale of Defeats and Ranking Decline

India’s journey in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup commenced on a disappointing note with a 0-2 defeat against Australia, setting a grim tone for their campaign.

Following this initial setback, India’s FIFA ranking experienced a downward trend. The team dropped four positions to 106 after their defeat to Australia. Hopes for a turnaround were dashed as they faced a formidable Uzbekistan side in their next fixture. India suffered another blow with a resounding 0-3 loss, marking their second consecutive defeat in the tournament.

The successive defeats had a tangible impact on India’s ranking, as they slipped further down the ladder, now positioned at 111. In their final group-stage match against Syria, India’s struggles persisted as they succumbed to a narrow 0-1 defeat, concluding their AFC Asian Cup campaign on a disheartening note.

Following their defeat against Syria, the team experienced a loss of 15.51 points, resulting in a decline of six positions in the latest FIFA rankings, ultimately landing them at 117th place. Consequently, the Blue Tigers saw a cumulative drop of 15 spots in the rankings post the championships.

It’s worth noting that this marks India’s lowest ranking since 2017. Under Igor Stimac’s leadership, the Blue Tigers had consistently maintained a position above 109 until now.

Technical Committee Review: Assessing India’s Performance and Future Plans Post AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

The Technical Committee of the All India Football Federation convened virtually with Senior Men’s National Team head coach Igor Stimac on Saturday, February 10, 2024, to assess the performance of the Indian Football Team at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 and outline future plans.

Mr. IM Vijayan, Chairperson of the Technical Committee, commenced the session in the presence of Acting Secretary General Mr. M Satyanarayan, along with committee members Ms. Pinky Bompal Magar, Mr. Shabbir Ali, Mr. Victor Amalraj, Mr. Climax Lawrence, Mr. Santosh Singh, as well as Chief Technical Officer Mr. Vincent Subramaniam, Technical Director Mr. Sabir Pasha, and India head coach Mr. Igor Stimac.

Acting Secretary General Mr. Satyanarayan remarked, “Throughout the past year, we’ve witnessed the National Team navigating through various challenges and triumphs. Nonetheless, we take pride in our players and their unwavering dedication on the field. Our primary focus moving forward should center around enhancing grassroots football, thereby fortifying our national team for the future.”

Mr. Vijayan expressed, “I extend a warm welcome to all attendees of this meeting. I want to emphasize to the head coach that while the outcomes in Qatar are behind us, our attention must now shift to the upcoming fixtures in the March and June FIFA windows. It’s imperative that we strive for optimal results in these matches.”

The India head coach underscored the significance of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Afghanistan (March 21 and 26), followed by the crucial home fixture against Kuwait (June 6). These matches could determine India’s advancement to Round 3 of the Asian Qualifiers, ensuring direct entry into the AFC Asian Cup 2027.

Mr. Stimac remarked, “We have successfully achieved our objective of securing three points by defeating Kuwait in the away game. Now, the upcoming matches against Afghanistan and the home fixture against Kuwait will carry immense importance.”

The Committee was apprised by the Acting Secretary General that, besides Hyderabad, three state associations – Maharashtra (WIFA), Odisha (FAO), and West Bengal (IFA) – have shown interest in hosting the World Cup Qualifier against Kuwait on June 6. The Federation is still deliberating on the final decision regarding the venue.