During the FIFA Days played in September, hosts Vietnam trounced Palestine 2-0 at Thien Truong Stadium, helping them to accumulate 4.91 points and remain in 95th position in the world’s rankings.

Meanwhile, the national team of Palestine lost 8.97 points to drop a notch to 97th positions in the globe.

Vietnam have witnessed a strong surge in the rankings over the past decade, leaping by 42 spots from 137th in 2010.

The national team therefore top the sides in Southeast Asia, followed by Thailand at 112; the Philippines at 132, Malaysia at 134, and Indonesia at 147.

In Asia, Japan continue to lead the continental rankings at 19, above Iran at 21, the Republic of Korea (RoK) at 26, and Australia at 27.

World champions Argentina remain top of the FIFA rankings, followed by France, Brazil, England, and Belgium.

Vietnam are set to play friendly matches against China, Uzbekistan, and the RoK in October as they prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying and 2023 AFC Asian Cup campaigns.

The footballers will take part in a training camp in China this October where they will play a game against China on October 10 before taking on Uzbekistan on October 13.

A day later will see the Vietnamese team travel to the RoK for a training camp. They will then have an international friendly match with the Korean team in Suwon on October 17.

The national team are scheduled to compete in World Cup qualifiers from mid-November to June 2024.

Vietnam have been drawn in Group F alongside the Philippines, Iraq, and the winner of the upcoming play-off match between Indonesia and Brunei. Vietnam’s opening match against the Philippines is set to take place on November 16.