Belgium now ranks ahead of France as the world's top rated men's soccer team.
France still ranks number 2, but still. Hell, they just won the World Cup a little over three months ago, and already, they were stripped of their number one ranking!
Brazil is ranked third, something that kind of perplexes me given their relatively unimpressive play during the World Cup. Croatia follows at number 4, which is understandable, given their hugely impressive World Cup run, and their subsequent wins since.
Germany, a team that had seemed to own the number one ranking in recent years, is now well outside of the top ten, down to number 14 which, for them, is actually quite low. Almost historically low in recent memory.
England ranks at number 5, off the strength of their impressive World Cup (they finished fourth overall), and Uruguay is the top-ranked South American team outside of Brazil. Argentina is at number 12.
For now, the United States ranks 23rd in the world.
Here is the link to the article with the latest rankings for FIFA men's international squads:
Belgium takes outright lead over France in FIFA rankings, England climbs Daniel Rouse, October 25, 2018:
https://www.thescore.com/mex_fed/news/1619914
Yeah, the FIFA rankings process is mystifying and baffling. I mean, I could understand if France and Belgium had played many games since the World Cup, with Les Bleus racking up the losses and Les Diables Rouges racking up the wins. But neither team has had time to play all that many games since then, and France just beat Germany in a meaningful game, after all. And I too find it odd that Brazil is ranked third, seeing as Croatia, Uruguay and England could all make the case that their recent performances have been far more impressive. But that's all right. Considering that Les Bleus hadn't won anything of note prior to 1984, the fact that they now have four major titles – five if you count the Olympic gold medal they won that year – their trophy case compares quite favorably with all but a handful of elite powerhouses. And they did earn the number one ranking twice.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of soccer, the MLS playoffs are under way, and the Red Bulls are entering them on a high note, having just won the "Supporters' Shield" (i.e. finished the regular season with the best record in the league). Red Bulls fans are hoping this is FINALLY the year they win that elusive championship.