After the Vietnamese national team’s thrilling 3-2 victory over the Philippines at My Dinh Stadium on June 6, in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Vietnam has made a significant leap on the FIFA rankings. Under the guidance of head coach Kim Sang-sik, the team has climbed two spots, moving from 115th to 113th place.
This crucial win has added 10.38 points to Vietnam’s tally, boosting their total from 1,165 to 1,174.92 points. This marks a notable improvement, especially considering the sharp decline experienced under former coach Philippe Troussier, where the team plummeted from 95th to 115th place in the FIFA rankings.
Despite only advancing two places, Vietnam stands out as the sole Southeast Asian nation to secure a victory in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on June 6 and subsequently improve their FIFA ranking.
In contrast, other regional teams struggled to make progress. Thailand managed a 1-1 draw against China after initially taking the lead but remained at 101st position. Similarly, Malaysia also drew 1-1 with hosts Kyrgyzstan, staying put at 138th.
Vietnam’s Group F rivals, Indonesia, suffered a setback, dropping one spot from 134th to 135th after their 0-2 loss to Iraq. The defeat also saw the Philippines fall significantly in the rankings, losing 10.38 points and dropping from 141st to 146th place.
Vietnam’s victory not only provided a morale boost but also significantly impacted their standing on the global stage. With continued strong performances, the team aims to further climb the rankings and make a mark in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers.
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