Vietnam dip, Thailand enter FIFA top 100 after World Cup qualifiers

By Trung Thu June 13, 2024 | 02:00 am PT

Vietnam are expected to move down one place, while Thailand will climb two spots to enter the top 100 of the FIFA rankings, following the last two matches of the 2026 World Cup second qualifying round.

Vietnam added 10.38 points after winning 3-2 against the Philippines at Hanoi's My Dinh Stadium on June 6, but lost 6.9 points after a 1-3 defeat to Iraq on June 12. With an additional 3.48 points, Vietnam now have 1,168.02 points but still dropped to 116th.

Striker Nguyen Tien Linh captained Vietnam in the 1-3 loss to Iraq in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on June 11, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Doan Huynh

Striker Nguyen Tien Linh (R) captained Vietnam in the 1-3 loss to Iraq in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on June 11, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Doan Huynh

The reason for the drop is that three teams ranked behind Vietnam ascended after the June matches. North Korea rose eight places to 110th after beating Syria and Myanmar. Two African teams, Tanzania (up five places) and Guinea-Bissau (up one place), are now 114th and 115th.

116th is Vietnam's lowest position since November 2017, when they ranked 125th. The team is now second in Southeast Asia and 20th in Asia.

Thailand maintained the lead in Southeast Asia for the third consecutive month. They gained 9.63 points from a 1-1 draw with China and a 3-1 win over Singapore, climbing to 99th. This is Thailand's highest position since March 2010.

They were still eliminated from the World Cup qualifiers despite being equal in points, goal difference, and number of goals with China, but losing by head-to-head difference and finishing third in Group C.

Thailand are now 16th in Asia.

Thailand (in blue) beat Singapore 3-1 in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. Photo by FAT

Thailand (in blue) beat Singapore 3-1 in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, June 11, 2024. Photo by FAT

Jordan are the Asian team with the most points gained, 23.92, climbing three places thanks to victories over Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia. North Korea gained the second most points, 23.4, ascending eight places. The Philippines lost the most points (22.1), dropping five places to 146th.

Indonesia remain 134th in the ranking. Malaysia moved up three places to 135th after a 3-1 win over Taiwan. The following positions in Southeast Asia are Singapore (159th), Myanmar (164th), Cambodia (180th), Laos (189th), Brunei (191st), and Timor Leste (196th).

The next update for FIFA rankings will be officially announced on June 20.