India maintain status quo in world FIFA rankings

Indian football team remained static at 132nd in the world rankings but moved up one place among Asian countries to the 21st spot in the latest FIFA chart issued on Wednesday.

India did not lose any point from last month's tally of 164 but rose one place among AFC countries at the expense of Tajikistan.

Tajikistan, who were at 130th last month, fell to 135th, which gave India a gain of one place among Asian countries.

Australia, who are clubbed along with India in Group C in the 2011 Asian Cup in Doha, continued to remain the highest ranked AFC country at 20th, way ahead of Japan (45th).

South Korea, who are also in India's group in the 2011 Asian Cup, are the third-ranked Asian side at 47th.

Bahrain, the fourth country in Group C in the 2011 Asian Cup, are the sixth-ranked Asian country at 69th.

In overall world rankings, Brazil reclaimed the top spot from Spain, returning to the number one position for the seventh time since the inception of FIFA rankings in 1993.

The new FIFA rankings also ended European champions Spain's five-month reign at the top.

World Cup semi-finalists Portugal went up a spot to sit third, swapping places with the Netherlands. Argentina rose two places to move to seventh place, while France dropped two spots to fall to 10th in the most notable changes in the top 10.