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The Hindu
10-08-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Slide in FIFA chart has a lot to do with complex, fluctuating nature of ranking system: Kalyan Chaubey
All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey on Sunday (August 10, 2025) sought to attribute the national men's team's slide in the FIFA chart to a 'complex and fluctuating' nature of the ranking system but expressed hope for a turnaround with wins over teams placed higher in the list. The Indian team slumped to its lowest ranking in nine years as it dropped six places to 133rd in the FIFA chart issued on July 10. 'FIFA ranking is based on historical performance of a national team in the international matches played in the preceding years. It is determined using the Elo Model. This method adds or subtracts points for matches to or from a team's existing total point,' Mr. Chaubey said. 'As you understand the formula for calculating this ranking, you will realise it fluctuates year on year. It depends on the number of matches the team plays and the ranking of the opponent. In 2023, we moved to 99 from 106 when I took charge, and now in 2025, from 99 we have gone down to 133,' he added. After winning three tournaments in 2023, the Indian team moved inside top 100 at 99th place in July 2023 rankings, but from there the slide began. From 102nd in December 2023, the team dropped down to 117th after losing to Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria during the AFC Asian Cup in January 2024. 'The losses against very strong teams like Australia and Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup led to the national team losing a lot of places in the rankings,' Mr. Chaubey said. 'Of course, the less-than-satisfactory performance in subsequent matches did not help the team but it was not that bad. We lost five matches out of 12, including one against formidable Qatar, after the Asian Cup. We won one and drew six. 'I am hoping that the team will rise again if it does well in the CAFA Nations Cup and the remaining Asian Cup qualifying round matches.' Mr. Chaubey, a former India goalkeeper, also mentioned India's beginning from the bottom of the chart when the FIFA first published it in December 1992. 'FIFA first published ranking in December 1992, and India was ranked 143rd. So, from day one, India's FIFA ranking was 143 out of 211 member countries. Thereafter, India went down to 173 in 2015 and then rose to 97 in 2018,' he said. 'India's best ranking was 94 in February 1996, much before the NFL kicked off.' He said that the popularity of club football in the country does not reflect in the national team's FIFA rankings from the beginning to now. 'Between 1970-1995 and 1996-2013, Indian football has seen growth through private investment and increasing fan engagement in club tournaments like Durand Cup, Rovers Cup, IFA Shield, Stafford Cup or Bordoloi Trophy and later in NFL/I-League,' he said. 'After 2014 (start of ISL) till now, we have seen more development and popularity in club football through ISL by the involvement of Reliance, TATA, JSW, Goenka, Emami, Star India etc. They played a pivotal role in shaping a new era. 'Over the last decade, Indian football has seen remarkable progress, including the upliftment of stadium infrastructure, improvement in club professionalism and quality of play, enhanced logistical support for players with better pay scales, and world-class production/broadcasting-making it one of the most viewed leagues in Asia. 'So, club football significantly grew in India, and we can say today ISL is one of the most viewed leagues in Asia but that did not reflect in the national team. I would say most of the investment had gone to the club football than a national team's development.' Talking about the way forward, he said, 'All the stakeholders of Indian football need better coordination to ensure that adequate investment is put in youth development so that India qualify in the U17 World Cup on merit. 'Other option is to get an amendment through Govt. policies so that the men's national team also gets naturalised players. The AIFF expresses gratitude to the Sports Ministry for providing an option in the proposed Sports Bill to include OCI/PIO players. 'However, this provision alone is not sufficient for the Indian football team, as per FIFA Statutes, to allow naturalised players to represent the national team. Nonetheless, we believe that with collective efforts, the AIFF will continue its discussions with the competent authority,' he said.
NDTV
10-08-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Slide In FIFA Chart Has A Lot To Do With Complex, Fluctuating Nature Of Ranking System: Kalyan Chaubey
All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey on Sunday sought to attribute the national men's team's slide in the FIFA chart to a "complex and fluctuating" nature of the ranking system but expressed hope for a turnaround with wins over teams placed higher in the list. The Indian team slumped to its lowest ranking in nine years as it dropped six places to 133rd in the FIFA chart issued on July 10. "FIFA ranking is based on historical performance of a national team in the international matches played in the preceding years. It is determined using the Elo Model. This method adds or subtracts points for matches to or from a team's existing total point," Chaubey said. "As you understand the formula for calculating this ranking, you will realise it fluctuates year on year. It depends on the number of matches the team plays and the ranking of the opponent. In 2023, we moved to 99 from 106 when I took charge, and now in 2025, from 99 we have gone down to 133," he added. After winning three tournaments in 2023, the Indian team moved inside top 100 at 99th place in July 2023 rankings, but from there the slide began. From 102nd in December 2023, the team dropped down to 117th after losing to Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria during the AFC Asian Cup in January 2024. "The losses against very strong teams like Australia and Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup led to the national team losing a lot of places in the rankings," Chaubey said. "Of course, the less-than-satisfactory performance in subsequent matches did not help the team but it was not that bad. We lost five matches out of 12, including one against formidable Qatar, after the Asian Cup. We won one and drew six. "I am hoping that the team will rise again if it does well in the CAFA Nations Cup and the remaining Asian Cup qualifying round matches." Chaubey, a former India goalkeeper, also mentioned India's beginning from the bottom of the chart when the FIFA first published it in December 1992. "FIFA first published ranking in December 1992, and India was ranked 143rd. So from day one, India's FIFA ranking was 143 out of 211 member countries. Thereafter, India went down to 173 in 2015, and then rose to 97 in 2018. "India's best ranking was 94 in February 1996, much before the NFL kicked off." He said popularity of club football in the country does not reflect in the national team's FIFA rankings from the beginning to now. Between 1970-1995 and 1996-2013, Indian football has seen growth through private investment and increasing fan engagement in club tournaments like Durand Cup, Rovers Cup, IFA Shield, Stafford Cup or Bordoloi Trophy and later in NFL/I-League, he said. "After 2014 (start of ISL) till now, we have seen more development and popularity in club football through ISL by the involvement of Reliance, TATA, JSW, Goenka, Emami, Star India etc. They played a pivotal role in shaping a new era. "Over the last decade, Indian football has seen remarkable progress, including the upliftment of stadium infrastructure, improvement in club professionalism and quality of play, enhanced logistical support for players with better pay scales, and world-class production/broadcasting-making it one of the most viewed leagues in Asia. "So, club football significantly grew in India and we can say today ISL is one of the most viewed leagues in Asia but that did not reflect in the national team. I would say most of the investment had gone to the club football than a national team's development." Talking about the way forward, he said, "All the stakeholders of Indian football need better coordination to ensure that adequate investment is put in youth development so that India qualify in the U17 World Cup on merit. "Other option is to get an amendment through Govt. policies so that the men's national team also gets naturalised players. The AIFF expresses gratitude to the Sports Ministry for providing an option in the proposed Sports Bill to include OCI/PIO players. "However, this provision alone is not sufficient for the Indian football team, as per FIFA Statutes, to allow naturalised players to represent the national team. Nonetheless, we believe that with collective efforts, the AIFF will continue its discussions with the competent authority."
News18
10-08-2025
- Sport
- News18
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey Blames India's FIFA Ranking Decline To 'Complex' Nature Of System
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey blames India's drop to 133rd in FIFA rankings on system volatility. Despite rising to 99th in 2023, losses in the AFC Asian Cup caused the decline. All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey has attributed the national men's team's recent slide in the FIFA world rankings to the 'complex and fluctuating" nature of the system, while expressing optimism that results against higher-ranked opponents could spark a revival. India slumped to its lowest position in nine years, falling six spots to 133rd in the latest FIFA rankings released on July 10. 'FIFA ranking is based on the historical performance of a national team in international matches played in preceding years. It is determined using the Elo Model," Chaubey explained. 'This method adds or subtracts points for matches to or from a team's existing total point." He noted that the formula inherently creates year-on-year volatility. 'It depends on the number of matches the team plays and the ranking of the opponent. In 2023, we moved to 99 from 106 when I took charge, and now in 2025, from 99 we have gone down to 133." From Highs in 2023 to Decline in 2024–25 India's rise in 2023 was built on three tournament victories, which helped them break into the top 100 at 99th place in the July rankings. However, the slide began soon after. The team dropped to 102nd in December 2023 before falling further to 117th following group-stage defeats to Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria at the AFC Asian Cup in January 2024. 'The losses against very strong teams like Australia and Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup led to the national team losing a lot of places in the rankings," Chaubey said. Post-Asian Cup form offered little recovery: five losses in 12 matches, including one against reigning Asian champions Qatar, alongside one win and six draws. 'Of course, the less-than-satisfactory performance in subsequent matches did not help the team but it was not that bad," Chaubey reflected. 'I am hoping that the team will rise again if it does well in the CAFA Nations Cup and the remaining Asian Cup qualifying round matches." Chaubey, a former India goalkeeper, pointed out that India's FIFA journey began near the bottom. 'FIFA first published its ranking in December 1992, and India was ranked 143rd out of 211 member countries. Thereafter, India went down to 173 in 2015, and then rose to 97 in 2018. India's best ranking was 94 in February 1996, much before the NFL kicked off." Chaubey acknowledged that the popularity and growth of club football in India has not translated into national team success. 'Over the last decade, Indian football has seen remarkable progress, including the upliftment of stadium infrastructure, improvement in club professionalism and quality of play, enhanced logistical support for players with better pay scales, and world-class broadcasting—making ISL one of the most viewed leagues in Asia," he said. However, he stressed that most investment has flowed into club football rather than directly into the national team's development. (with agency inputs) view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 10, 2025, 17:56 IST News sports » football AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey Blames India's FIFA Ranking Decline To 'Complex' Nature Of System Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
