FIFA Rankings: India Highest Ranked Team in South Asia

India are now the highest ranked football team in South Asia and 27th in Asia courtesy their back-to-back wins over Laos last month. Stephen Constantine's side have moved up 11 places to occupy the 152nd spot in the latest FIFA rankings.

India beat Laos 6-1 and 1-0 in the home and away play-off matches during the 2019 Asian Cup qualifying tournament to gain 49 points.

Interestingly, the Indian team achieved these wins with a relatively young side. India is the fourth best mover among Asian countries this month after Tajikistan, which moved up 19 places to 145th.

Iran (39th) remain Asia's number one ranked team, followed by Korea Republic (48th), Uzbekistan (56th), Japan (57th) and Australia (59th).

Argentina Remain No. 1

Overall, Argentina remain on top, despite losing to Chile in the Copa America Centenario summit clash. Belgium, Colombia, Germany and Chile retained their places at second, third, fourth and fifth while UEFA Euro 2016 champions Portugal moved up two places to be at sixth.

Euro losing finalists France are at seven, followed by former world champions Spain, Brazil and Italy in the top 10.

New Zealand emerged as the month's biggest gainers, moving up a whopping 54 places to 93rd on the back of an OFC Nations Cup victory that saw the All Whites qualify for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and furthered their FIFA World Cup qualifying ambitions.

(With PTI inputs)