FIFA world rankings – what a joke!

Posted by DavidM in USA, World Cup | 31 March 2006

With the World Cup looming large and another round of friendlies recently played, the FIFA world rankings make interesting – and bemusing - reading. With the recent 4-1 win by Germany over USA, it’s hard to see how they are seeded 22nd and 5th respectively.

I can see that the USA have improved over the last few years but can they really be considered the 5th best team in the world? Better than Spain? France? Wales?

Spain, who under-perform in every major competition are 6th, 2 places above France who, while not the team they were a few years ago, are still a more potent force than the Spanish.

More embarrassing for the Germans are some of the teams just above them in the rankings – Greece better them by one place in 21st, Iran at joint 19th, Japan at 18th. It’s a joke. I don’t care how much difficulty the German national squad is in, I’d rather play any of those teams than Germany.

However, comparing the FIFA rankings to William Hill betting, the only differences in the top 10 are:

  • USA (5th FIFA, 18th WH)
  • Mexico (7th FIFA, 12th WH)
  • Italy (joint 12th FIFA, 3rd WH)
  • Germany (22nd FIFA, 4th WH)

So agreement on 8 of the top 10 – Brazil to win, Czech Republic, Holland, Argentina, Spain, France, England and Portugal.

But still, Germany only 22nd best in the world? USA 5th? That’s a big anomaly.