National squad drops to 21st in FIFA Men’s World Ranking
The Iranian national football team dropped by one spot to stand 21st in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking – released by the international governing body of the sport on Thursday.
Team Melli collected 1622.61 points to remain second in the list of the AFC member states, following Japan, which fell down to 19th in the global ranking after a 2-0 friendly defeat against USA and a goalless draw against Mexico in September’s international break.
Following Japan and Iran in the AFC standing are South Korea (23rd), Australia (25th), Qatar (53rd), and Uzbekistan (54th).
Iran settled for a runner-up finish at the CAFA Nations Cup in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan earlier in the month – courtesy of an extra-time 1-0 loss to Uzbekistan in the final showpiece in Tashkent.
A mediocre campaign saw Iran beat Afghanistan (3-1) and India (3-0) before and then gave away a two-goal lead to share the spoils with another minnow opponent in Tajikistan in a 2-2 draw in Group B of the competition and progress to the final.
Next for Amir Qalenoei’s side, which will represent the continent in next year’s FIFA World Cup in North America, is a friendly game against Russia in Volgograd on October 10.
Meanwhile, Spain moved atop the World Ranking for the first time in a decade, overtaking reigning world champion Argentina, thanks to back-to-back emphatic away victories over Bulgaria (6-0) and Türkiye (3-0) at the World Cup European qualifiers.
France, which defeated Ukraine and Iceland at the UEFA qualifiers, also jumped up to stand second, with Argentina dropping to third after a 3-0 win against Venezuela and a 1-0 loss to Ecuador in a couple of dead rubbers for the Albiceleste at the World Cup qualifiers in South America.
England, Portugal, Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, and Italy complete the top 10 of the ranking, with European powerhouse falling to 12th, sitting behind Morocco.