FIFA World Rankings: INDIA moves-up a place, now 163rd

The world football governing body FIFA released the latest FIFA World Rankings earlier today in which India has gained a spot to be now 163rd amongst the 208 ranked nations and territories, while within Asia India drops a spot to 32nd amongst 46 nations in the rankings.

India is 163rd in the world rankings behind Afghanistan and ahead of the tiny island of Aruba with 121 points, the same number of points then last months ranking.

Amongst the South Asian nations India are fourth behind Bangladesh (151st, Nepal (155th) and Afghanistan (162nd), but ahead of the Maldives (164th), Pakistan (178th), Sri Lanka (181st) and Bhutan (205th).

Team India has not official assignments or friendlies lined-up for the next month and the next big tournament would be the Nehru Cup in August/September 2012.

Meanwhile there has been some movement amongst the top five of the FIFA World Rankings due to Euro2012. World champions Spain (1,691 points) stay at the top with Germany (1,502) gaining a spot and Uruguay (1,297) losing a spot as third ahead of England (1,294), who gained two spots and Portugal (1,213), who gained five spots. The biggest mover in the Top 10 are Euro2012 finalists Italy who gained six spots as sixth now, while Brazil dropped six places to drop out of the Top 10 as 11th.