India, which has 140 points to its kitty, now shares the spot with the tiny Samoa while occupying 26th among Asian Football Confederation countries.

India, which will defend its title in SAFF Cup from June 3-14 in Maldives and Sri Lanka, is making an upward move for the first time in four months this year after sliding down the ladder in the last three months.

Western neigbours Pakistan remained static at 161st while Bangladesh is unchanged at 180th.

Argentina still tops the overall list but its lead has reduced to just two points by second-placed Brazil. Italy, Spain, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Portugal and the Netherlands take the remaining eight places of the top ten in that order.