More significantly, Vietnam now sits just seven places away from the FIFA top 100-a milestone long considered elusive in the country’s football journey. December 2025 FIFA rankings in the ASEAN region – Source: Asean FootballVietnam marked the region’s biggest climb in December – ScreenshotElsewhere in the region, shifts were telling. The more dramatic story, however, was Malaysia, which plummeted to 121st after a hefty 22.52-point deduction related to issues involving naturalized players. This contrast underscores how FIFA rankings not only reflect on-field results, but also deeper matters of governance, long-term planning, and transparency. For Vietnam, the climb is a promising sign of growing ambition in an increasingly competitive Asian football landscape.

Source: VietNamNet News December 22, 2025 18:23 UTC