Iran remains 20th in FIFA Men’s World Ranking, second in Asia
Iran has retained 20th place in the first FIFA Men’s World Ranking of the year, released by world football’s governing body on Monday.
Team Melli collected 1617.02 points to stay second among AFC member states, behind Japan, which fell one spot to 19th with 1650.12 points.
Iran last played in November’s Al Ain International Cup, where Amir Qalenoei’s side defeated Cape Verde on penalties after a goalless draw, but lost the final to familiar rival Uzbekistan in a similar fashion.
Following Japan and Iran in the AFC standings are South Korea (22nd), Australia (27th), Uzbekistan (52nd), and Qatar (56th).
Iran will make its seventh appearance – and fourth in succession – at the World Cup finals in less than five months. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, starting on June 11.
The Asian powerhouse has been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
Iran will begin its campaign against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 15, before facing European heavyweight Belgium at the same venue six days later.
Team Melli will then hope to be in contention for a first-ever knockout stage berth when it takes on Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on June 26.
The top seven in the global ranking remained unchanged, with European powerhouse Spain followed by reigning world champion Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
Morocco rose to eighth despite a final defeat to Senegal in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. Belgium and Germany round out the top 10.
Meanwhile, the Iranian women’s national team climbed two places to 68th in the FIFA Women’s Ranking with 1382.102 points.
Marziyeh Jafari’s side, which suffered two friendly defeats against Uzbekistan in the previous international break, ranks 13th in Asia. Japan, North Korea, Australia, China, South Korea, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Myanmar, and India all stand above Iran.
Iran is preparing for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which begins on March 1 in Australia.
Making only its second appearance at the finals, Iran will open its Group A campaign against South Korea – runner-up to China in the 2022 edition – on March 2. It will then face the formidable host nation Australia, a semifinalist at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, in Gold Coast three days later.
Iran will conclude the group stage against the Philippines, a semifinalist in the previous edition, on March 8.