Despite being currently ranked as the world's worst team (but that will now change), finally after many years San Marino are now no longer the worst team in Europe.
Last night they were promoted to the third tier of the Nations League after beating Liechtenstein. It was the first away win in their history, the first time they scored more than once in a competitive game and the first time they had ever scored three goals in a match.
Despite being currently ranked as the world's worst team (but that will now change), finally after many years San Marino are now no longer the worst team in Europe.
Last night they were promoted to the third tier of the Nations League after beating Liechtenstein. It was the first away win in their history, the first time they scored more than once in a competitive game and the first time they had ever scored three goals in a match.
Is that right? Surely some of the Pacific Island nations are ranked lower? Samoa just got dicked 8-0 at home by New Zealand and have lost to Tahiti and Vanuatu. I can’t imagine San Marino are (or were) that bad?
Despite being currently ranked as the world's worst team (but that will now change), finally after many years San Marino are now no longer the worst team in Europe.
Last night they were promoted to the third tier of the Nations League after beating Liechtenstein. It was the first away win in their history, the first time they scored more than once in a competitive game and the first time they had ever scored three goals in a match.
Is that right? Surely some of the Pacific Island nations are ranked lower? Samoa just got dicked 8-0 at home by New Zealand and have lost to Tahiti and Vanuatu. I can’t imagine San Marino are (or were) that bad?
It goes on points tho. Those teams have probably picked up enough points in Pacific games or early WCQ to get more points than San Marino.
You are correct though, San Marino would stuff American Somoa etc
Despite being currently ranked as the world's worst team (but that will now change), finally after many years San Marino are now no longer the worst team in Europe.
Last night they were promoted to the third tier of the Nations League after beating Liechtenstein. It was the first away win in their history, the first time they scored more than once in a competitive game and the first time they had ever scored three goals in a match.
Is that right? Surely some of the Pacific Island nations are ranked lower? Samoa just got dicked 8-0 at home by New Zealand and have lost to Tahiti and Vanuatu. I can’t imagine San Marino are (or were) that bad?
Yup its true... Doesnt help how UEFA is setup, apart from the Nations League, San Marino get screwed every International Break themselves, so they only stand a chance of winning every two years.
Samoa had to win two games to get to the Stage where they're being screwed by New Zealand in the World Cup Qualifiers which helps their ranking
There are actually about 20-places between San Marino and the Pacific Nations which is surprising, probably doesn't help either that apart from the World Cup Qualifiers, they never play, so their ranking rarely changes.
Despite being currently ranked as the world's worst team (but that will now change), finally after many years San Marino are now no longer the worst team in Europe.
Last night they were promoted to the third tier of the Nations League after beating Liechtenstein. It was the first away win in their history, the first time they scored more than once in a competitive game and the first time they had ever scored three goals in a match.
Is that right? Surely some of the Pacific Island nations are ranked lower? Samoa just got dicked 8-0 at home by New Zealand and have lost to Tahiti and Vanuatu. I can’t imagine San Marino are (or were) that bad?
It goes on points tho. Those teams have probably picked up enough points in Pacific games or early WCQ to get more points than San Marino.
Oh, I see. Thanks. I’d argue it’s a flawed system though. Even at their worst, when San Marino were getting 8-0 drubbings, it was always against Germany, Italy and the like. Never a nation like NZ that is, with the greatest of respect, not very good at football. Also, didn’t some nation get walloped about 30-0 a while back? How can they be anything other than bottom of the rankings? I feel San Marino have been harshly labelled. They’re not great, obviously, but I don’t think they’ve been the worst for some time.
The FIFA rankings have long been a joke anyway. Brazil and Belgium are currently 5th and 6th.
Other questionable rankings:
Colombia 10th (didn't even make the last world cup) Mexico 16th Iran 19th
Colombia were shocking in 2019-2021 and couldn’t recover in time to make it to the WC in late 2022.
But they went unbeaten for 2.5 years between early 2022 and 2024 including wins against Germany, Brazil and Spain. They only lost the Copa America final in extra time to Argentina. They earned that ranking in the two years since missing the World Cup imo.
I went to Liechtenstein vs Hong Kong in October and Liechtenstein were the better team and won. HK have since comfortably beat Cambodia and Philippines. So despite the rankings, the European whipping boys are likely much better than those in Asia and Oceania.
The FIFA rankings have long been a joke anyway. Brazil and Belgium are currently 5th and 6th.
Other questionable rankings:
Colombia 10th (didn't even make the last world cup) Mexico 16th Iran 19th
Colombia were shocking in 2019-2021 and couldn’t recover in time to make it to the WC in late 2022.
But they went unbeaten for 2.5 years between early 2022 and 2024 including wins against Germany, Brazil and Spain. They only lost the Copa America final in extra time to Argentina. They earned that ranking in the two years since missing the World Cup imo.
If they don't make a world cup then they shouldn't be able to rise to 10th off the back off one tournament in which they beat Paraguay, Costa Rica and Panama.
In the last month they lost to Bolivia and Uruguay and have won only 5 of 11 WC qualifiers. Personally i don't think they should be anywhere near the top 10.
Despite being currently ranked as the world's worst team (but that will now change), finally after many years San Marino are now no longer the worst team in Europe.
Last night they were promoted to the third tier of the Nations League after beating Liechtenstein. It was the first away win in their history, the first time they scored more than once in a competitive game and the first time they had ever scored three goals in a match.
Is that right? Surely some of the Pacific Island nations are ranked lower? Samoa just got dicked 8-0 at home by New Zealand and have lost to Tahiti and Vanuatu. I can’t imagine San Marino are (or were) that bad?
It goes on points tho. Those teams have probably picked up enough points in Pacific games or early WCQ to get more points than San Marino.
Oh, I see. Thanks. I’d argue it’s a flawed system though. Even at their worst, when San Marino were getting 8-0 drubbings, it was always against Germany, Italy and the like. Never a nation like NZ that is, with the greatest of respect, not very good at football. Also, didn’t some nation get walloped about 30-0 a while back? How can they be anything other than bottom of the rankings? I feel San Marino have been harshly labelled. They’re not great, obviously, but I don’t think they’ve been the worst for some time.
It was 23 years ago so not sure it impacts the current rankings much:
I went to Liechtenstein vs Hong Kong in October and Liechtenstein were the better team and won. HK have since comfortably beat Cambodia and Philippines. So despite the rankings, the European whipping boys are likely much better than those in Asia and Oceania.
Surprised by that TBH. I assume Hong Kong would be able to muster a decent side.
Edit: By decent I'm talking from a Charlton fan's perspective.
I went to Liechtenstein vs Hong Kong in October and Liechtenstein were the better team and won. HK have since comfortably beat Cambodia and Philippines. So despite the rankings, the European whipping boys are likely much better than those in Asia and Oceania.
Surprised by that TBH. I assume Hong Kong would be able to muster a decent side.
Edit: By decent I'm talking from a Charlton fan's perspective.
Yep, it's definitely underwhelming for what is a place of 8million people that is quite enamoured with football. The bulk of the squad play in the Hong Kong Premier League with a few in the Chinese Super League. Whilst all professional, the standard of the HKPL is really low and most teams would probably get beat by a team like Vaduz from Liechtenstein (also professional) which contributes a chunk of the Liechtenstein players. On paper the HK squad still probably edge it but looked poorly coached. The bookies had it pretty even before the game.
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However, it would have been nice for someone to mention who they've got the draw with.
3 minnows getting rare positive results this weekend.
I put Estonia in my accumulator which guaranteed a positive result for San Marino
Last night they were promoted to the third tier of the Nations League after beating Liechtenstein. It was the first away win in their history, the first time they scored more than once in a competitive game and the first time they had ever scored three goals in a match.
The one benefit of this tournament format is that minnows are playing competitive games and benefiting from it
Surely some of the Pacific Island nations are ranked lower? Samoa just got dicked 8-0 at home by New Zealand and have lost to Tahiti and Vanuatu.
I can’t imagine San Marino are (or were) that bad?
You are correct though, San Marino would stuff American Somoa etc
Samoa had to win two games to get to the Stage where they're being screwed by New Zealand in the World Cup Qualifiers which helps their ranking
There are actually about 20-places between San Marino and the Pacific Nations which is surprising, probably doesn't help either that apart from the World Cup Qualifiers, they never play, so their ranking rarely changes.
I’d argue it’s a flawed system though. Even at their worst, when San Marino were getting 8-0 drubbings, it was always against Germany, Italy and the like. Never a nation like NZ that is, with the greatest of respect, not very good at football.
Also, didn’t some nation get walloped about 30-0 a while back? How can they be anything other than bottom of the rankings?
I feel San Marino have been harshly labelled. They’re not great, obviously, but I don’t think they’ve been the worst for some time.
Other questionable rankings:
Colombia 10th (didn't even make the last world cup)
Mexico 16th
Iran 19th
https://www.eloratings.net/
But they went unbeaten for 2.5 years between early 2022 and 2024 including wins against Germany, Brazil and Spain. They only lost the Copa America final in extra time to Argentina. They earned that ranking in the two years since missing the World Cup imo.
In the last month they lost to Bolivia and Uruguay and have won only 5 of 11 WC qualifiers. Personally i don't think they should be anywhere near the top 10.
I clicked on the 'Graph' tab and suddenly everything was crystal clear.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_31–0_American_Samoa
Surprised by that TBH. I assume Hong Kong would be able to muster a decent side.
Edit: By decent I'm talking from a Charlton fan's perspective.