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In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, China’s national team has plummeted in the FIFA rankings, falling behind Thailand for the first time in the history of the system. This latest setback compounds the already dire situation for Chinese football, further dimming prospects for future World Cup appearances.
Following a 1-0 defeat to Indonesia, China lost a significant 15.05 FIFA points, bringing their total down to 1235.90. This loss wasn’t just a blow to their pride – it pushed them down to a world ranking of 99th, and a disappointing 15th in Asia, as of June 6th.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s recent 2-0 victory over India in a friendly match saw them gain a modest 4.03 points. This was enough to lift them above China with a total of 1238.34 points, securing the 98th position worldwide and 14th in Asia.
This marks an unprecedented moment. Since FIFA introduced its ranking system in 1992, Thailand has never surpassed China. The situation echoes the national team’s historic 1-5 defeat at the hands of Thailand back in 2013, a defeat that continues to reverberate within Chinese football.
The consequences of this decline extend beyond mere rankings. If China continues its downward trajectory, with further losses against Bahrain or other competitors, the team could face difficult hurdles in the upcoming 2027 Asian Cup, potentially being seeded in a lower tier during the group stage draw. This could make securing a spot in the tournament’s knockout phase dramatically more challenging.
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Original article, Author: Tobias. If you wish to reprint this article, please indicate the source:https://aicnbc.com/2125.html
