2027 AFC Asian Cup third round qualification: Where does India stand after latest FIFA rankings? – Kabargayo

On 9 December 2024, the draw for the third qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup will be held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

The tour will complete the roster of 24 teams for the tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia three years from now.

Started in 1956, this quadrennial tournament has grown from four teams in its first edition to 24 teams in 2019. In the 19th edition held in Saudi Arabia, the number of teams as they were (24).

So far, 18 teams have qualified for the tournament, and the remaining six teams will be confirmed during the third qualification round which will start in March next year.

What is the format of the third qualifying round?

The third qualifying round will consist of six groups, each consisting of four teams. The two teams play each other in a round robin format consisting of two home and away games. The winners of each group will qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup.

RELATED: Manolo Marquez disappointed with draw but confident India will qualify for 2027 Asian Cup

How are groups defined?

Groups are determined by lottery, with four pots of six teams each. Qualification for this round will be done according to the FIFA rankings published on 28 November.

What is a lottery seed?

• Pot 1: Syria (95), Thailand (97), Tajikistan (104), Lebanon (112), Vietnam (116), India (127)

• Pot 2: Malaysia (132), Turkmenistan (143), Philippines (149), Afghanistan (155), Hong Kong (156), Yemen (158)

• Pot 3: Singapore (161), Maldives (162), Chinese Taipei (165), Myanmar (167), Nepal (175), Bhutan (182)

• Pot 4: Brunei (184), Bangladesh (185), Laos (186), Timor Timor (196), Pakistan (198), Sri Lanka (200)

Where does India stand in the AFC Asian Cup 3rd qualifier?

India is listed as one of the top 1 teams as it is the sixth highest ranked team in Asia. However, after ending 2024 without a win, his ranking has fallen over the past 18 months – currently from 99th to 127th.

“For me, the ranking (system) is a lie. The worst teams in Africa are better than most teams on other continents. We are not better than Cyprus (127) and we are better than them (125),” said India’s national team head coach Manolo Marquez before the last game of the year against Malaysia.

That Malayan tigeron the other hand, the country moved up one place in the ranking, but fell significantly below India, retaining its No. 1. 2 position in the draw.