AFC speaks out as Vietnam's national team makes a significant leap in the FIFA rankings

The Vietnam national team keeps making a strong impression on the global stage by climbing significantly in the FIFA rankings in December 2025, a development promptly acknowledged by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

According to the latest FIFA rankings released on December 22, Vietnam climbed 3 places to reach 107th in the world, securing the 19th spot in Asia. Notably, Vietnam recorded the highest ranking increase among Asian teams in this update, reflecting clear progress under coach Kim Sang Sik’s leadership.

On the FIFA rankings summary page, the AFC acknowledged Vietnam's progress, emphasizing that: “In Southeast Asia, Vietnam and Singapore both advanced by 3 positions, moving up to 107th and 148th in the world respectively.”. The AFC's direct mention of Vietnam's ranking rise highlights the positive evaluation of coach Kim Sang Sik’s team efforts at the continental level.

Vietnam’s improved ranking stems from recent strong performances, notably their 2-0 victory over Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. The 3-place jump in the FIFA standings is not just a number but also strengthens Vietnam’s position within Asia, laying a favorable foundation for long-term goals such as better seeding, advantageous draws, and enhancing Vietnam’s football reputation internationally.

Across Asia, the top three remain unchanged with Japan (18th globally) continuing as the continent’s leading team, followed by Iran (20th) and South Korea (22nd). Within this overall picture, Vietnam’s ranking increase stands out as a rare bright spot for Southeast Asian football in this update.

Vietnam is among the national teams with the largest ranking gains in this update (Photo: VFF).

In contrast to Vietnam’s upward trend,several regional teams slipped down. Thailand dropped one place to 96th globally, while Malaysia suffered a significant fall to 121st after losing 22.52 points due to sanctions related to fielding ineligible players.