Bangladesh climb three spots after India win, secure best FIFA ranking in nine years

Bangladesh received more good news a day after their win over India at home in the Asian Cup Qualifiers, climbing three places in the latest FIFA World Rankings revealed on Wednesday evening.

In the updated rankings published by football's global governing body, Bangladesh rose to 180th, marking their highest position in nine years. The last time the men in red and green were ranked higher was in May 2016, when they sat at 178th.

For much of the period in between, Bangladesh's ranking trended downward. From December 2017 to May 2018, they even recorded their lowest-ever position of 197th.

Bangladesh defeated India 1–0 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday, thanks to a first-half strike from Sheikh Morsalin. The victory ended a 22-year wait for a win against their neighbours.

India, who were 47 places above Bangladesh before the match, suffered a significant setback in the rankings as a result. Bangladesh gained 17.13 ranking points, rising from 894.06 to 911.19.

India, meanwhile, lost the same number of points and dropped six spots, falling from 136th to 142nd. It was India's first defeat to Bangladesh since 2003.

There were no changes in the top four positions of the FIFA ranking: Spain remain first, Argentina second, France third, and England fourth. Brazil, the five-time World Cup winners, moved up two places to fifth.