China National Football Team Drops 13.6 Points, Slips to 94th in FIFA Rankings: Syria Overtakes, New 9-Year Low

In a grim turn of events for the China national football team (CNG), a difficult period of international play during the FIFA window has led to a significant drop in the team’s world ranking. After a series of disappointing performances, including two crucial losses in World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Australia, the Chinese team has seen their FIFA points slashed, dropping them from 90th place to 94th—marking their lowest ranking in nearly nine years.

The Fallout: Two Key Losses Impact the Team's Standing

The FIFA rankings reflect a nation's performances in international matches, and for CNG, recent results have been anything but favorable. In the period from March 16 to March 25, China played three matches, two of which were critical World Cup qualifiers in Asia’s final 18-team round. A 3-1 win against Kuwait on March 16 provided a small glimmer of hope, but the joy was short-lived.

On March 21, the team suffered a bitter 0-1 loss away to Saudi Arabia. Given that World Cup qualifiers carry a high weight in the rankings, this defeat resulted in a loss of 9.24 FIFA points for the Chinese squad. Then, on March 25, a 0-2 home loss to Australia followed, knocking another 6.19 points off their total. Combined, the team’s 13.6-point deduction has been a heavy blow to their world standing.

With these losses, CNG’s FIFA points now stand at 1252.7, down from 1266.3 prior to the March window. As a result, they have dropped from 90th to 94th in the world rankings. In a particularly sobering twist, nations that were previously ranked below China have now surged ahead, with Syria overtaking them to claim 94th place, further compounding the disappointment for Chinese football fans.

Rising Nations Leave China Behind: The Toppling of a Football Giant

The global football rankings tell a story not just of triumphs but also of the tough realities faced by teams. China’s slip down the ladder places them behind nations such as Syria, Luxembourg, Curacao, and Equatorial Guinea—countries that have traditionally not been seen as heavyweights in world football. The rise of nations like Syria, who have now overtaken China, further highlights the decline in China’s footballing stature on the world stage.

The gap between China and Syria, for instance, is symbolic of how much ground China has lost over the years. The Syrian national team has grown increasingly competitive in recent years, while China has failed to make significant strides toward international prominence. This contrast is a clear indication of how teams in Asia and around the globe are improving, while China is seemingly stuck in a cycle of stagnation.

While Luxembourg and Curacao are often considered smaller footballing nations, they have outperformed China in recent years, reflecting a decline in China’s footballing infrastructure and development. Equatorial Guinea, too, has managed to surpass China in the rankings, as they’ve made considerable improvements in their footballing program, while China’s struggles have been compounded by managerial changes and a lack of long-term planning.

This sudden downturn has led to much frustration among fans, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment. “Watching Chinese football feels like geography class,” many jokingly commented, noting how the national team is now ranked below countries that were once considered underdogs.

China's Decline in the AFC: A Region Losing Faith in Their Ability

In Asia, where the Chinese national team once held a more prominent place, the rankings are becoming increasingly competitive. With China now sitting at 14th place in the AFC rankings, they find themselves trailing nations such as Japan (15th in the world), Iran (17th), South Korea (23rd), and Australia (26th). Even Qatar (55th) and Uzbekistan (57th) now stand above China in the AFC.

The fact that China is now 14th in Asia speaks volumes about their current position within the region. Despite China’s significant financial investment in the development of football infrastructure, the national team has consistently failed to live up to expectations. The lack of progress on the field has led to questions about whether China will ever reclaim their spot among the continent’s elite footballing nations.

This decline also highlights how teams like Japan and South Korea have steadily remained powerhouses in Asia, with the gap between them and China only widening. Historically, China had hoped to challenge for a top spot in the AFC, but now it seems unlikely that they will be able to break into the top 10 anytime soon. If the current trend continues, even qualifying for future World Cups will become an increasingly difficult task for the Chinese team.

Looking Back: A History of Highs and Lows

For those who follow Chinese football closely, this ranking drop brings back memories of the 2013 season, when China was ranked as low as 109th in the world. Back then, the national team was in a similarly precarious position, but they were able to bounce back with the appointment of new managers and a series of reforms. Since then, they have managed to slowly improve their position, but this recent decline raises serious concerns about the future of the sport in China.

The highest rank China has ever achieved was 37th in 1998, but since then, they have been unable to maintain that standard. Although there was a period of hope when China narrowly missed qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, the team has repeatedly failed to live up to expectations on the international stage. As China’s football program has developed, they have poured money into domestic leagues and foreign talent, but this has not yet translated into consistent success for the national team.

The Road Ahead: Critical Matches Await China in June

Looking ahead, June 2025 will be a make-or-break period for China’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. In the upcoming Asian qualifiers, China will face Indonesia and Bahrain in what will be a crucial two-match stretch for their qualification chances. For many players, this will be the last chance to secure a spot at the World Cup, and anything less than two victories will leave their hopes hanging by a thread.

The results of these upcoming matches will likely determine whether China’s World Cup dream continues or whether they will have to wait another four years for their next chance at global glory. For now, the team is in dire need of a turnaround. Whether this turnaround will be achieved through new leadership, tactical improvements, or a new generation of players remains to be seen.

A Frustrating Reality: Can China Football Overcome Its Challenges?

The latest drop in the rankings for China is a reflection of the growing frustration with the nation’s footballing program. Despite the vast resources available to the sport, the team continues to struggle in international competitions. The big question now is whether this decline is temporary or if it signals a deeper systemic issue within Chinese football.

In the months to come, it will become clearer whether China can break free from this slump and make a genuine push for a place at the World Cup. The next few matches will serve as a litmus test for the future of football in China, and fans will be eagerly watching to see if their team can rise above the challenges that have held them back for so long.