FIFA rankings: Vietnam climb 5 places after securing Asian Cup place
VOV.VN - Vietnam have risen five places to 103rd in the latest FIFA rankings after a 3–0 victory over Malaysia in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, as the world governing body introduced real-time updates during the March FIFA international window.
Previously, FIFA rankings were only updated periodically, with the next release originally scheduled for April 1. However, since March 22, the world’s football governing body has begun updating rankings online based on match results played during FIFA Days, allowing standings to fluctuate throughout the international window.
Ahead of the March rematch, FIFA had recalculated points from Malaysia’s 4–0 win over Vietnam in October 2025. However, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) later ruled that Malaysia had fielded ineligible naturalised players, awarding Vietnam a 3–0 victory instead.
As a result, Vietnam not only recovered previously deducted points but also gained additional points from the revised result and their latest win. In total, the team earned 25 points, bringing their tally to 1,213.62 and lifting them to 103rd in the world.
Malaysia, meanwhile, dropped 14 places to 135th, falling behind Indonesia, who remained at 121st.
In Southeast Asia, Thailand continue to lead the region in 96th place, with Vietnam now second and closing the gap to just seven positions.
Vietnam are scheduled to play a friendly against Bangladesh on March 26 before facing Malaysia again in their final Asian Cup qualifying match on March 31.
If head coach Kim Sang-sik’s side maintain their momentum, they could soon return to the world’s top 100 - a position they consistently held under former coach Park Hang-seo between 2017 and 2023.
Vietnam drop one place in latest FIFA rankings
VOV.VN - Vietnam slipped one spot to 108th in the latest FIFA men’s rankings released on January 20, according to the world’s football governing body.
