Hanoi, 18 September, 2025 – The latest FIFA World Rankings released for September 2025 brought mixed fortunes for Southeast Asian teams, with Vietnam continuing to slide despite not losing any points.
Vietnam fell one place compared to the previous ranking, dropping to 114th in the world, making them the second-highest-ranked team in Southeast Asia. The decline was due to other nations around them earning points from official matches, while Vietnam did not record any FIFA-recognized fixtures in September. Both friendly matches against Nam Dinh and Hanoi Police FC were categorized as training games and therefore excluded from FIFA’s ranking system.
Thailand remained the region’s top-ranked side, climbing one place to 101st globally, extending their lead over regional rivals. Indonesia slipped one spot to 119th, while Malaysia rose two places to 123rd, reflecting their improved performances in recent fixtures. The Philippines also enjoyed a positive month, moving up two places to 143rd. Other Southeast Asian nations recorded minor shifts but remain outside the world’s top 100.
At the very top of the global standings, Spain regained the No.1 position, moving up one spot after a strong international window. Argentina, previously world leaders, dropped to second place. Meanwhile, Germany endured the biggest setback among the elite teams, falling three places to 12th, following disappointing results.
In Asia, Japan remain the continent’s highest-ranked team despite slipping two places to 21st in the world. Close behind are Iran, also in 21st position but separated by decimal ranking points, while South Korea hold steady at 23rd. Australia sit at 25th, maintaining their status as one of Asia’s most consistent performers. Further down, Qatar are ranked 53rd, continuing to serve as the leading representative among Gulf nations.
For Vietnam, the drop to 114th underlines the importance of playing official FIFA-recognized matches during international windows. With the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers resuming in October, coach Kim Sang Sik and his squad will have opportunities to collect valuable points. Vietnam are scheduled to face Nepal in a two-legged tie, with the unusual twist that Nepal have chosen Ho Chi Minh City’s Thong Nhat Stadium as their “home” venue for the second match. That decision effectively hands Vietnam an additional advantage, as they will avoid extensive travel and receive strong support from home fans in both legs.
While the latest rankings may appear as a setback, the national team has a clear path to climb back up if they deliver positive results in upcoming qualifiers. For now, Vietnam remain focused on regaining ground in Asia and consolidating their position as a regional powerhouse.
Lam Van
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