Vietnam’s national team leaps up the FIFA rankings thanks to 'points awarded'?

Vietnam’s national team could significantly rise in the FIFA rankings if the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejects Malaysia’s complaint and the AFC rules against Malaysia.

The possibility of Vietnam's national team climbing the FIFA rankings is clearer than ever, as the hearing between the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and FIFA is about to take place at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). If CAS dismisses FAM's lawsuit, the situation in Group F of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers and Vietnam’s FIFA ranking could change dramatically.

The core issue concerns Malaysia fielding 7 ineligible naturalized players in the match against Vietnam last June 2025. Should CAS reject FAM’s appeal, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) would have grounds to award Malaysia losses in their matches against Vietnam and Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

At that point, Malaysia would lose 6 points, dropping to 9 points and surrendering the top spot in Group F to Vietnam. Coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad would increase their total points to 15, securing a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup finals without waiting for the rematch against Malaysia on March 31.

The greater impact lies in the FIFA rankings. If awarded a 3-0 win, Vietnam would be "reimbursed" 13.99 points previously lost after their 0-4 defeat to Malaysia, plus an additional 10.5 to 11 points from the default victory. In total, the team could gain up to around 25 points, raising their total to 1,214 and surpassing Kyrgyzstan to reach 103rd in the world.

But that’s not all; in March 2026, Vietnam has two matches against Bangladesh (a friendly) and Malaysia (2027 Asian Cup qualifiers). If they win both, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team could accumulate an additional 11 to 13 points, bringing them close to or even into the FIFA top 100 — a strategically important milestone ahead of major draws.

Meanwhile, Malaysian football faces the risk of “losing everything” if they fail at CAS: not only missing out on the 2027 Asian Cup, dropping in FIFA rankings, but also possibly facing further disciplinary actions. Therefore, the hearing outcome will not only decide the fate of one team but could also mark a turning point for Vietnam’s rise on the global football stage.