The Indian women's football team climbed three places in the latest FIFA rankings to take 56th place in the world and 12th place in Asia. The Indian women's team's World Cup ambitions came to a halt earlier this year when they were forced to withdraw from the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup following a COVID outbreak in the camp. Yet, the team bounced back by winning consecutive games against Egypt and Jordan in a FIFA-recognised tri-nation friendly.
The success of the Indian national team has resulted in numerous opportunities for women in the game throughout the country, including recommencement of the Indian Women's League, and the start of the U17 National Football Championship, among others. The governing body has devised new strategies to promote youth development in women's football in India, currently the U-17 team is preparing to compete in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November.
The All India Football Federation has also launched the Indian Arrows project for the women's team, producing incredible results from the first year itself, as the team finished in the middle of the table in the recently concluded Indian Women's League. Players as young as 14, competed in the league.
The Indian men’s senior national football team also reaped the benefits of their outstanding Asian Cup qualification, moving up two places in the latest FIFA world rankings released on Thursday, from 106th to 104th.