India remains 69th in FIFA women’s rankings after consecutive losses to Russia

In 2026, India (in blue) lost six of its 11 matches, while all of its five wins came against lower-ranked teams. | Photo Credit: PTI

The Indian women’s football team has not had a year to remember despite playing in the AFC Asian Cup in March 2026. And after consecutive losses to Russia in the recent international window, the Blue Tigresses have remained 69th, one place above their worst rank of 70th, in the latest FIFA rankings.

India’s brightest spot in 2026 was in the SAFF Women’s Championship, where it secured the title, beating defending champion Bangladesh in the final. However, with both teams ranked relatively low, the Elo points did not offer much to help it rise in the rankings.

In the latest international window, India conceded 12 goals without reply against 27th-ranked Russia over two friendlies in Kolkata – a result that led to a deduction of 5.07 Elo points for the Blue Tigresses.

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India’s most promising leap in the rankings was in July last year when it beat higher-ranked Thailand 2-1 in the Asian Cup qualifiers to qualify for the main tournament. The win helped India climb seven spots, from 70th to 63rd, its highest-ever jump in the rankings.

In 2026, India lost six of its 11 matches, while all of its five wins came against lower-ranked teams, among which Malawi has been the most impressive one to keep rising.

The African side, ranked 153rd before the latest window, thrashed 127th-ranked Zimbabwe 2-0 and 7-0 to earn over 36 points and climb 49 spots to 104th, becoming the team with the steepest rise in the current FIFA rankings.