Former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia has expressed concern over India’s continued fall in the FIFA rankings, calling for a fresh start in the governance of football.
Speaking on India’s current FIFA ranking of 125th, India Today quotes Bhutia as having said: “It’s not a great sign. We have been on the decline for quite some time now. From being ranked in the top 100 to going down to 125. I think football needs a new governing body and election and a fresh start.”
India’s hopes for advancement in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers were dashed after a 1-2 loss to Qatar on June 11, at Doha’s Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.