SAFF Championship 2023: A Look at FIFA Rankings of Countries

SAFF Championship 2023: Lebanon and Kuwait Join as Guest Teams, India and Lebanon are Expected to Be Strong Contenders

The 14th edition of the SAFF Championship, a biennial international men’s football championship of South Asia, is set to kick off in Bengaluru, India, from 21 June to 4 July. India, with eight titles, is the defending champion and has won the most SAFF Championships. However, this year’s tournament will miss Football Sri Lanka, as they have been sanctioned by FIFA and are ineligible to participate. To make the event more competitive, two guest teams, Kuwait and Lebanon, have been invited to participate.

FIFA rankings play a crucial role in determining the competitive level of teams. In the current FIFA rankings, India ranks 101, Lebanon ranks 99, Nepal ranks 174, Maldives ranks 154, Bangladesh ranks 192, Bhutan ranks 185, Pakistan ranks 195, and Kuwait ranks 143. These rankings indicate that Lebanon and India are expected to be the strongest teams in the tournament.

Here’s a list of the current FIFA rankings for the SAFF Championship 2023 countries:

Lebanon – 99
India – 101
Nepal – 174
Maldives – 154
Bangladesh – 192
Bhutan – 185
Pakistan – 195
Kuwait – 143

FIFA Rankings for SAFF Countries in 2023: Insights and Expectations for the SAFF Championship

FIFA rankings for SAFF Championship provide a glimpse of the strengths and potential performance of each team in the upcoming SAFF Championship. Lebanon is at the top of the rankings with a FIFA rank of 99. Similarly, India ranks 101 and both countries are expected to be the frontrunners in the competition.

Nepal is ranked 174th in the FIFA rankings and will be looking to make a strong impact in the tournament. Similarly, Maldives ranked slightly higher at 154th, which will also be a team to watch out for. Bangladesh sits at 192 in the rankings, while Bhutan holds a FIFA ranking of 185. Pakistan is at the bottom of the rankings with a FIFA rank of 195. They will be looking to prove their worth and potentially cause an upset against their higher-ranked opponents.

Kuwait: A Strong Contender in the SAFF Championship 2023 Despite FIFA Ranking

Despite their FIFA ranking of 143, Kuwait is considered a strong team and a potential contender in the upcoming SAFF Championship. While FIFA rankings can serve as a general measure of a team’s strength, they do not always reflect the true abilities of the team. Kuwait’s past performances and achievements demonstrate their potential as a strong side. They also should not be underestimated based solely on their ranking.

While the FIFA rankings can provide an insight into each team’s potential, it is not always a definitive measure of their ability. SAFF Championship will give each team the opportunity to show their skills on the field and compete for the championship title. The guest teams Lebanon and Kuwait will bring an added level of excitement and competition to the event.

Also Read: SAFF Championship 2023: All You Need to Know
Also Read: Kuwait and Lebanon add excitement to SAFF Championship 2023