Vietnam leaves Southeast Asian teams behind in FIFA world ranking

Vietnam earned three more points after the last update in May. With 1,261 points, they kept their 92nd position. In the real-time ranking (only applied for FIFA tournaments), Vietnam climbed to 90th after beating Malaysia 2-1 in the second round of World Cup qualifiers on June 11. However, the team returned to 92nd position after losing 2-3 to UAE four days later.

Placed second behind Vietnam in Southeast Asia is Thailand, which fell 14 places to 120th. In the last three games of second World Cup qualification round, Thailand drew one and lost two. Other teams in the SEA region have also dropped at least one place.

The FIFA ranking of Southeast Asian countries in August 2021. Photo courtesy of ASEAN Football.

In Asia, Vietnam stands in the 13th position. Japan remains on top, followed by Iran and Australia.

Japan and Australia are in the same group as Vietnam in the final round of the World Cup qualifiers. The other teams in the group are China, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Belgium stayed atop of the world ranking, followed by Brazil and France.

Vietnam will play the first game of final World Cup qualification round against Saudi Arabia on Sept. 2 and against Australia five days later.