FIFA Ranking: India Rise to 137, Their Best-Ever in Six Years

It's been a good week for Indian football. Hot on the heels of Bengaluru FC's historic entry into the final of the AFC Cup, the national football team has achieved its best ever FIFA ranking in six years.

The Indian football team has gained 11 places to climb to 137, their best ever ranking since August 2010.

The rise comes in the wake of India's win against 114th-ranked Puerto Rico in an international friendly in September. The victory was worth 230 ranking points.

At a time when foreign players are hogging most of the spotlight courtesy the Indian Super League, the improved rankings and Bengaluru FC's achievement are definite bright spots in India football and should help the All India Football Federation get their priorities right.

The AIFF is still not sure how to structure India's national football leagues. The pressure from its commercial partners has been just too overwhelming. The plan to make ISL the main league has hit a wall with several legacy clubs worried about their survival.

When national coach Stephen Constantine took over the Indian team in February 2015, India were ranked 171 and then slipped to 173. But Constantine knows rankings mean little in international football.

"But this is just the beginning of the long-term plan which we envisage for Indian football. I am certainly not over the moon as I feel my Team can achieve much more," Constantine has said.

A lot will depend on how the AIFF structures its league and breeds home-grown talent. India will host the Under-17 FIFA World Cup next year.