Latest FIFA rankings out and as questionable as ever

The latest FIFA world rankings have been released and as per usual do not seem to reflect fully the quality of all the teams in world football, World Cup winners Germany are still on top despite their shaky form in the European qualifiers while Argentina and Colombia make up the top three.

Colombia somehow have managed to be placed 3^rd in the world despite only making it to quarter final of the World Cup ahead of both losing semi finalists in the World Cup: the Netherland’s and Brazil. Similarly Belgium look ranked far above their realistic ability, they see themselves in 4^th place, they are a very good side but they haven’t done anything special in the past few months and certainly don’t deserve to be ranked above the Dutch.

England find themselves in 13^th place, a respectable position and probably a fair one, after a disappointing World Cup they have regained their form and currently stand top of their Euro 2016 qualifying group with four wins from four.

The Republic of Ireland will be disappointed with their standing, they find themselves down in 64^th place after what was a solid start to their Euro campaign, the highlight being that draw away in Germany. The Irish somehow find themselves ranked below Albania, Panama and Congo DR. They are also behind all their neighbours with Northern Ireland, Wales and their group D rivals Scotland placed above them.

Scotland are up to 34^th in the world going into the new year after a solid start in Group D of the Euro qualifying campaign seeing them on 7 points after four games, level with the Republic of Ireland and Poland who are ranked below them in 41^st place.

Northern Ireland who have had their best start to a Euro campaign in a long time are now in 49^th, down one place since the last ranking release but still ahead of the Republic. Wales who also have impressed in their qualifiers find themselves a few places ahead of Northern Ireland in 34^th but are still far behind Belgium who despite being 4^th in the world also lie 4^th in Group D two places behind the Welsh.

The best mover in the recent rankings was Rwanda who have moved up twenty two places to 68^th after some impressive results in their African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, it is the highest ever ranking in Rwanda’s football history. Cuba were the biggest droppers falling thirty four places to 113^th.

You can see the full rankings here: http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html

photo credit: Galo Digital via photopin cc