The Maldives national football team has dropped one place in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings, moving from 172nd in April 2026 to 173rd in the June 2026 rankings.

The latest rankings were released ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, reflecting international results from recent months.

Despite the slight decline, the Maldives continue to maintain a higher ranking than several South Asian rivals. Bangladesh currently occupy 181st place, while Pakistan, fresh from winning the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament held in Malé, have climbed from 202nd in April to 198th in June.

Within the South Asian region, India remain the highest-ranked nation at 138th in the world, continuing their position as the region’s football powerhouse. Afghanistan are ranked 169th, placing them just ahead of the Maldives.

The rankings underline the competitive nature of South Asian football, with several nations making gradual progress on the international stage. Pakistan’s rise follows an impressive run in the Diamond Jubilee tournament, while Bangladesh continue to hold a position within the world’s top 200 teams.

For the Maldives, the latest ranking serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining positive results in international fixtures as the national team prepares for upcoming regional competitions. A strong showing in future tournaments could help the Red Snappers regain lost ground and climb back up the FIFA ladder.

SAFF Region – FIFA Rankings (June 2026)

1. India – 138
2. Maldives – 173
3. Nepal – 177
4. Bangladesh – 181
5. Bhutan – 186
6. Sri Lanka – 191
7. Pakitan 198

Nepal remain one of the Maldives’ closest competitors in the regional standings, occupying 177th place in the latest FIFA rankings. Bhutan are ranked 186th, while Sri Lanka sit in 191st position after recent improvements in their international performances. Pakistan, despite winning the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in Malé, remain 198th in the world, although they have climbed four places since April.

Gadhdhoo secured an important 2-1 victory over Huraa in the DPL Qualifiers 2026/27, strengthening their hopes of progressing from the qualification stage after a hard-fought encounter.

The match began at a lively pace, with both sides looking to take control early on. Huraa enjoyed spells of possession and attempted to dictate the tempo, but Gadhdhoo remained organized and dangerous on the counterattack.

The breakthrough came in the first half when Gadhdhoo capitalized on a defensive lapse to open the scoring. The goal gave them confidence and forced Huraa to push forward in search of an equalizer.

Huraa responded positively and created several opportunities, eventually finding the back of the net to bring the match level. The equalizer energized the contest and set up an exciting second half with both teams chasing a winning goal.

As the game entered its decisive stages, Gadhdhoo showed greater efficiency in front of goal. A well-worked attacking move resulted in their second goal of the evening, restoring their advantage and putting Huraa under pressure.

Despite late efforts from Huraa to salvage a point, Gadhdhoo’s defense stood firm. The final whistle confirmed a valuable 2-1 victory for the island side, earning them three crucial points in their DPL Qualifiers campaign.

The result leaves Gadhdhoo in a strong position as the competition progresses, while Huraa will look to bounce back in their remaining fixtures. With qualification spots at stake, every point remains vital in the race for promotion to the Dhivehi Premier League.

Biss Buru Sports Club produced a commanding performance to defeat Green Streets 5-2 in the DPL Qualifiers 2026/27, taking a significant step towards qualification.

The Male’ Region champions showcased their attacking quality from the outset, creating numerous chances and putting Green Streets under constant pressure. Their dominance paid off as they raced into a comfortable lead with clinical finishing in front of goal.

Despite Green Streets finding the net twice and showing moments of resilience, Biss Buru remained in control throughout the contest. The champions continued to attack with intent and added further goals to put the result beyond doubt.

The emphatic victory highlights Biss Buru’s credentials as one of the strongest sides in the qualifiers. Having already impressed in the Male’ Region League, they once again demonstrated their quality, depth, and attacking prowess on the national stage.

With five goals and an assured overall display, Biss Buru Sports Club sent a strong message to their rivals as the race for promotion to the Dhivehi Premier League continues.