Over the course of the past year, Sri Lankan football has risen from 205th to 200th in the FIFA World Rankings, marking a significant achievement. The Sri Lanka Football Federation (FFSL) is optimistic about taking the game further in the coming year, with plans to continue advancing in 2025.
To achieve this goal, FFSL is focusing on strengthening domestic football leagues and various programs to support the growth of the sport across all levels. "The most challenging aspect of football management is ensuring the success of the national team. We have meticulously crafted strategies to achieve this," said Jaswar Umar, President of the Sri Lanka Football Federation.
"We are proud to have improved our FIFA ranking from 205th to 200th in 2024. Looking ahead to 2025, with eight international matches scheduled, we are confident we can reach even greater heights," he added.
FFSL is committed to youth development and local growth. Increased financial allocations and support for regional leagues will enable the continuation of domestic tournaments throughout 2025, helping elevate football across every level, as emphasized by Jaswar Umar.
To prepare for the upcoming season, FFSL recently met with teams from the Super League and Champions League to discuss plans. The 14 teams from the Champions League are set to begin their season by the end of January 2025. On the other hand, Super League clubs, having requested more preparation time, are expected to start their season in the spring of 2025.
Additionally, a new youth league for players under 19 is planned to be conducted through 55 regional leagues, with a sponsor already expressing interest in supporting the initiative.
Alongside the under-19 league, FFSL plans to introduce youth leagues, school tournaments, women’s football competitions, a new women’s league, coaching development programs, and referee training programs for 2025.
With the international progress made in 2024, the dawn of the new year in 2025 is expected to be a transformative year for Sri Lankan football. The Sri Lanka Football Federation anticipates significant growth in the sport, both domestically and internationally.
