India national football team have climbed five spots in the latest FIFA rankings, moving from 141st to 136th after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Hong Kong national football team in their final match of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. The win, secured on Tuesday, was the Blue Tigers’ only victory in the campaign and marked a significant milestone for head coach Khalid Jamil, as it was his first win on home soil. Goals from Ryan Williams in the first half and Akash Mishra after the break sealed the result, highlighting India’s resilience.

Despite the win, India’s overall performance in the qualifiers fell short of expectations. The Blue Tigers finished bottom of their group with five points from six matches, behind Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Singapore, missing out on qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. This marks the first time in 11 years that India will not feature in the continental tournament.

The rise in the FIFA rankings offers a positive takeaway. India’s five-place jump was the joint third-highest in Asia, alongside Myanmar and Laos, reflecting signs of progress. While the failure to qualify remains a setback, the victory over Hong Kong provides a boost of momentum as the team looks to regroup and improve in upcoming international competitions.