it makes absolutely no sense. brazil scored -276 points, yet their last 2 games they beat romania 1-0 and drew 0-0 with Holland....who are ranked 2nd. We drew at home against Switzerland and scored -17 points, so go above them.
I almost tempted to think that they imagine giving us such an undeserved ranking (and therefore seeding) is a poorly veiled attempt to get us back onside after recent events.
Even the most blinkered of England fans must realise this is a joke.
I almost tempted to think that they imagine giving us such an undeserved ranking (and therefore seeding) is a poorly veiled attempt to get us back onside after recent events.
Even the most blinkered of England fans must realise this is a joke.
Exactly, this was also my view when they decided that after the 'good job' we done with the CL Final, they have given it to us again in 2013, just trying to butter us up again and forget about the shambles that was the WC Host and FIFA Presidency votes
It follows in the grand tradition of football referees who belieive that making a poor decision one way can be cancelled out by making a poor decision the other way.
Wouldn't be surprised if this was some pathetic attempt to butter us up - they will be hurting a bit and a few will regret not giving us the World Cup now- you don't want the British press after you do you?. What the FA should do is publically take offence to this sarcastic ranking and claim to be insulted - turn the screw a bit more on Blatter and his cronies.
I almost tempted to think that they imagine giving us such an undeserved ranking (and therefore seeding) is a poorly veiled attempt to get us back onside after recent events.
Even the most blinkered of England fans must realise this is a joke.
Exactly, this was also my view when they decided that after the 'good job' we done with the CL Final, they have given it to us again in 2013, just trying to butter us up again and forget about the shambles that was the WC Host and FIFA Presidency votes
Except that would be UEFA who decide that rather than FIFA.
Correct me if i'm wrong but the Fifa rankings are decided on results over the preceding 4 year period. Also, results in major tournaments now have 50% of the imact they did. I can't help but feel this is a way of keeping us seeded in qualification groups and 1st round tournament draws. When i think about it it seems to be an advantage for other big-money nations like the US and France. Us and the French were woeful at the WC and with the draw for the qualification groups coming up (i think) it wouldn't surprise me to see us both as seeded teams and therefore, theoretically, an easy ride into the next tournament.
Does the Olympics count towards it? I know GB doesn't exist but will Spain's crap showing affect them at all, or do Under 23's/21's/18's etc not influence it?
Unless they introduce subjective ranking of the teams, it can only be based on some mathematical weighting of results over the last 4 years. Our high ranking seems to stem from the fact that we very rarely lose to poor teams. Most of the other nations do occasionally lose to bad teams, which seems to outweigh the positive results.
Our only defeat to a side outside the top 10 in the last 4 years was away to Ukraine in the 2010 WC Qualifying campaign. (We've lost to France and Brazil in friendlies, but they probably were in the top 10 at the time). Only other sides we've lost to are Spain, Germany, Netherlands and Italy on pens.
What people need to realize is that this current standing of the rankings isn't going to have an influence on any world tournaments so its pointless really taking anything from it.
It's like playing five games more than everyone else and claiming to be the best team because you're top of the league.
Comments
Its a joke how a team who consistently doesnt get past QF stage (if we qualify) can be up to 4th.
Argies are 10th, they would destroy us.
FIFA = completely discredited organisation.
I almost tempted to think that they imagine giving us such an undeserved ranking (and therefore seeding) is a poorly veiled attempt to get us back onside after recent events.
Even the most blinkered of England fans must realise this is a joke.
Classic, are San Marino top?
Except that would be UEFA who decide that rather than FIFA.
But other than that, yes FIFA are a total joke.
Correct me if i'm wrong but the Fifa rankings are decided on results over the preceding 4 year period. Also, results in major tournaments now have 50% of the imact they did. I can't help but feel this is a way of keeping us seeded in qualification groups and 1st round tournament draws. When i think about it it seems to be an advantage for other big-money nations like the US and France. Us and the French were woeful at the WC and with the draw for the qualification groups coming up (i think) it wouldn't surprise me to see us both as seeded teams and therefore, theoretically, an easy ride into the next tournament.
We're up to 4th now! You could argue we are not even 4th in the British Isles, let alone Europe and the World!!
Dutch No.1
All a joke.
In reality, we shouldn't even be in the top 10.
Our only defeat to a side outside the top 10 in the last 4 years was away to Ukraine in the 2010 WC Qualifying campaign. (We've lost to France and Brazil in friendlies, but they probably were in the top 10 at the time). Only other sides we've lost to are Spain, Germany, Netherlands and Italy on pens.
It's like playing five games more than everyone else and claiming to be the best team because you're top of the league.