FIFA adds points, Vietnam national team receives good news in the Nations League

Moving up to 19th place in Asia might strengthen Vietnam's stability in League B of the Nations League.

According to the latest FIFA ranking released on December 22, the Vietnam national team climbed 3 spots to 107th in the world and 19th in Asia. Notably, Vietnam was among the national teams with the biggest ranking improvements this time.

Compared to the previous release, Vietnam’s ranking showed significant progress, reflecting recent positive results. Especially, the 2-0 win over Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers contributed important points to Vietnam’s FIFA ranking.

This 3-place rise not only helps Vietnam solidify its position in Asia but also lays a favorable foundation for upcoming international goals. Currently, Vietnam remains among the teams with stable rankings in the continent.

Recently, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed plans to launch the AFC Nations League, a men’s national team competition modeled after Europe’s Nations League. Climbing to 19th in Asia is great news for Vietnamese football.

At present, the AFC is considering two ranking-based grouping options according to the FIFA rankings. The first divides teams into 4 tiers (A, B, C with 12 teams each, and D with 11 teams). The second option, regarded by media as more feasible, splits into 3 tiers: A and B with 16 teams each, and C with the remaining 15 teams. This division will directly impact the starting points for Southeast Asian teams, including Vietnam.

For Vietnam, with its current ranking (107th worldwide and 19th in Asia), the team led by coach Kim Sang-sik is quite securely positioned in League B. If AFC adopts the first option (4 tiers), Vietnam, ranked 19th in Asia, would be among the top seeds in League B.

However, if the 3-tier system with larger groups is implemented, Vietnam could compete for a spot at the lower end of League A or maintain a solid position in League B. Conversely, if FIFA rankings decline, starting in League C is also a possibility to consider.