Under head coach Kim Sang Sik, the team gained 24.11 points, moving closer to the top 100 - a milestone they last reached at the end of 2023.

The rise comes after the Asian Football Confederation awarded Vietnam a 3-0 victory over Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. The decision followed a controversy involving Malaysia fielding an ineligible naturalized player.

This outcome not only improved Vietnam’s points tally but also strengthened their position in both regional and continental rankings.

Within Southeast Asia, Vietnam remain second but have narrowed the gap with Thailand to just seven places. The team still have opportunities to climb further during the March FIFA Days, with matches against Bangladesh and Malaysia ahead.

In contrast, Malaysia have experienced a significant drop, losing nearly 50 points and falling to 135th in the world. The AFC sanction has cost them the top spot in Group F and effectively ended their chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup.

Meanwhile, Vietnam now lead the group with a perfect 15 points from five matches, securing early qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup finals. With consistent performances and growing momentum, a return to the FIFA top 100 is firmly within reach for Kim Sang Sik’s side.

Thien Binh