Following the poor performance and weak scores, Maldivian national football team slipped six spots below the original ranking.
FIFA released its worldwide ranking in September where Maldives was ranked 155, but the most recent ranking publicized by the federation on October 26, Thursday showed Maldives had dropped by six ranks to 161.
This also marks the first significant rank plunge for the Maldives' team since 2016 during which it was ranked at 168.
After facing a first-stage knockout in the SAFF Championship in June 2023 at India, Maldives was able to compete in just two of the first legs of the World Cup qualifying's preliminary.
Maldives was defeated by Bangladesh in both the group stage matches of the qualifying round.
In the first match of the first leg, the teams ended in a 1-1 draw. However, in the second match of the same leg, Bangladesh emerged victorious against Maldives with a 2-1 score. This victory marked the first-ever defeat for the Maldivian team in 20 years in matches held in Bangladesh.
Maldives experienced its most significant advance in the FIFA ranking in 2006, reaching a rank of 126. Conversely, the country's lowest FIFA ranking was recorded in 1997 when it was placed at 183.
India continues to hold the top rank in the South Asian zone, securing the 102nd position. Nepal stands as the closest competitor to the Maldives, ranking 173rd. This marks a two-rank improvement for the Nepali team.
Nepal secured a second round spot in the World Cup qualifying round after defeating Laos.
Bhutan, which won against Hong Kong in their home turf last week had advanced by one rank and is currently ranked 182nd, while Bangladesh observed a three-rank jump is right behind Bhutan at 183rd rank.
Additionally, Pakistan secured its first ever win in a World Cup qualifying game and had advanced by four-ranks and is currently ranked 193rd.
From all South Asian countries, Sri Lanka is the only country without a rank change and is currently at the 202nd spot.