Oct. FIFA Rankings

[El Chuma]

I see we (USA) are still at 7th spot. In the elo rankings we are 14th. Wow we are really close to 6th in FIFA, and barely ahead of 15th in the elo rankings. Funny both teams are mexico, the 2-0ers.

[appoo]

England are set to be among the top eight seeds for the 2006 World Cup after a double boost from Fifa.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side are up two places to ninth in the latest world rankings following their qualifying victories against Austria and Poland.

Fifa has also confirmed them as the sixth best team at the 2002 World Cup.

That will put England equal fifth in the seedings - provided Fifa uses the same formula it employed to seed teams for the World Cups in 1998 and 2002.

Fifa is yet to confirm the system it will use for seeding teams in the World Cup draw, which takes place in Leipzig on 9 December.

But Markus Siegler, Fifa's director of communications said this week: "There is no reason to think that the system will be different this time."

The top eight seeds will be kept apart in the group stages in next year's tournament in Germany.

The seeded teams are likely to include the hosts as well as Brazil, Argentina, Italy and France.

The current system involves Fifa giving each team a score based both on their performances at the past three World Cups - where each team is given a ranking from one to 32 - and their average world ranking during the past three years.

England have been boosted by Fifa's confirmation that Sven-Goran Eriksson's side were sixth in 2002, where they were beaten in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Brazil.

That revelation has boosted their World Cup coefficient by one point to 46, putting them level with Argentina and one point ahead of Italy and France.

And crucially, it puts them three points ahead of the ninth-placed Netherlands - who seem set to be the top-ranked team to miss out on the top group of seeds under the Fifa system.

Ahead of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, England were eighth in the seeding list - but were pushed down the list because the two host nations were made top seeds.

In the latest Fifa rankings, Scotland are the big movers among the home nations, moving up 12 ponts to 62nd.

Wales are up nine places to 73rd, while Northern Ireland slip to 104th. The Republic of Ireland are unchanged in 21st place. World Cup top seeds as of 19 October*: 1 Brazil 64 points
2 Spain 49
3 Germany 48
4 Mexico 47
5= Argentina 46
5= ENGLAND 46
7= France 45
7= Italy 45

9 Holland 43
10 USA 41 (* Based on Fifa using the system employed to calculate seedings for 1998 and 2002 World Cups)

[bltleo]

1 Brazil 64 points
2 Spain 49
3 Germany 48
4 Mexico 47
5= Argentina 46
5= ENGLAND 46
7= France 45
7= Italy 45

9 Holland 43
10 USA 41 (* Based on Fifa using the system employed to calculate seedings for 1998 and 2002 World Cups)

3.Germany 48 points? Not bad..


Do you think USA ranking is fair? I would like to hear your american point view? Not mine, from Euro-snobs.

Bltleo
GERMANY

[Davids26]

3.Germany 48 points? Not bad..


Do you think USA ranking is fair? I would like to hear your american point view? Not mine, from Euro-snobs.

Bltleo
GERMANY

The FIFA ranking or the seeding formula? I don't believe we are #7 in the World, but the FIFA ranking formula says that we are. I don't know that we deserve a seed for the World Cup, but the seeding formula says we're damn close.

Its all about the formulas.

[appoo]

3.Germany 48 points? Not bad..


Do you think USA ranking is fair? I would like to hear your american point view? Not mine, from Euro-snobs.

Bltleo
GERMANY

1. Brazil 840 points (1)

2. Netherlands 797 (2)

3. Czech Republic 783 (4)

4. Argentina 778 (3)

5. France 776 (6)

6. Mexico 769 (5)

7. United States 768 (7)

8. Spain 764 (8)

9. England 754 (11)

(tied) Portugal 754 (9)

11. Turkey 743 (12)

12. Italy 736 (13)

13. Sweden 733 (10)

14. Denmark 730 (14)

15. Germany 712 (15)

16. Japan 711 (16)

17. Uruguay 709 (25)

18. Greece 706 (20)

19. Croatia 702 (24)

20. Costa Rica 700 (19)


In terms of ability, USA should be somewhere abetween 15 - 20. We are not better than Spain, Germany, England, Portugal - I think we're neck and neck with the like of Sweeden, Mexico, Uruguay, Japan, and possibly Denmark.

However, in terms of accomplishments? We can only play the competition, teams, and tournaments that show up on our schedule. We won our World Cup Qualifiying tournament, we won our Regional Championship. we finished 7th in the past world Cup. The Czech Republic, France, Holland, and Mexico, should not be placed ahead of us. Obviously, it's more difficult to qualify out of Europe, and the European Championships are in a different class from the Gold Cup...but we don't play in Europe, and we can only play the teams that show up on our schedule.

[bltleo]

The FIFA ranking or the seeding formula? I don't believe we are #7 in the World, but the FIFA ranking formula says that we are. I don't know that we deserve a seed for the World Cup, but the seeding formula says we're damn close.

Its all about the formulas.

I would like to hear your opinion about FIFA ranking of USA. If you don´t believe that your team is on 7. place. Why? Do you think your team is not so that good?. Why you don´t believe you deserved a seed for the WC? I would
appreciate your american opinion. Sounds you are not that so positive about your team.

bltleo
GERMANY

[Roehl Sybing]

I would like to hear your opinion about FIFA ranking of USA. If you don´t believe that your team is on 7. place. Why? Do you think your team is not so that good?. Why you don´t believe you deserved a seed for the WC? I would
appreciate your american opinion. Sounds you are not that so positive about your team.

bltleo
GERMANY
Not many US supporters are as positive about this team as you or I.

[croix]

btleo...
What is with all the questions?
Are you Barbara Walters? Do you want to see us breakdown and start crying?Yes, we know you support USA. But why do you value the American opinion of the USA team? We are ranked in the top ten, but it doesn't mean ********. However, what does is how we do next year in Deutschland.

See you next summer

[Davids26]

I would like to hear your opinion about FIFA ranking of USA. If you don´t believe that your team is on 7. place. Why? Do you think your team is not so that good?. Why you don´t believe you deserved a seed for the WC? I would
appreciate your american opinion. Sounds you are not that so positive about your team.

bltleo
GERMANY

Don't get me wrong, I'm very positive about the team, and if we were to get a seed based on the current formula FIFA uses I wouldn't mind. I do think that formula is pretty effective for getting the teams that deserve seeds, their seeds. I guess if you do look back on the past 3 World Cups and compare us to other countries, coupled with our FIFA ranking, we're right on the doorstep to get a seed.

However I don't think that we're #7 in the World overall. I know the FIFA ranking isn't a pure ranking, but like the seeding formula is accumulated over time. Just for example. We played England's B/C team this year in Chicago and they were much better than us, yet they're ranked behind us. Another point: on most days, the US would lose to almost all of the teams in the top 12 of the World Rankings, sans Mexico, and maybe Portugal (we've proven we can beat them).

We're a good team, but I don't believe we're in the top 10 at this point.

[Roehl Sybing]

We really need better fans than this.

[bltleo]

1. .

The Czech Republic, France, Holland, and Mexico, should not be placed ahead of us. Obviously, it's more difficult to qualify out of Europe, and the European Championships are in a different class from the Gold Cup...but we don't play in Europe, and we can only play the teams that show up on our schedule.

Of course qualifying in Europe is much harder than qualifying in your group, it is different class from Gold Cup. I agree. But the fact is that USA is not in Europe and I think if USA could, they would challenge against Euro-teams in WCQ. But they are in America. I think they deserved 7. place. USA won against Mexico and Gold Cup. I think no one should complain that USA has not deserved this 7. place. By the way you played excellent against GErmany last WC. You would have been in semi-finale if you had had a bit good luck.
So congratulation to your 7. place. Ahead of Germany. What to say?.:)

Bltleo
Germany..15?? catastrophe.

[bltleo]

We're a good team, but I don't believe we're in the top 10 at this point.

I know you believe in your team and I understand your argument. You are kind of fan who is maybe more realistic. But some fans are optimistic, like me.

But I have question. Would you write to FIFA and complain about your 7.place? Would you write them that USA does not deserve to be in top 10 if you yourself don´t believe in this?

I would like to change Germany to 7. place and USA to 15. place. Would be this realistic assessment of your team this way?. Think about it. Would you for example change the place with Germany for example?

What to say to Germany. We are 15?. This is Catastrophe .

Bltleo
GERMANY

[appoo]

We really need better fans than this.


mindless sychophants?

[appoo]

I know you believe in your team and I understand your argument. You are kind of fan who is maybe more realistic. But some fans are optimistic, like me.

But I have question. Would you write to FIFA and complain about your 7.place? Would you write them that USA does not deserve to be in top 10 if you yourself don´t believe in this?

I would like to change Germany to 7. place and USA to 15. place. Would be this realistic assessment of your team this way?. Think about it. Would you for example change the place with Germany for example?

What to say to Germany. We are 15?. This is Catastrophe .

Bltleo
GERMANY

yes, switching spots with Germany in a ranking of best teams would work well.

[the Next Level]

However I don't think that we're #7 in the World overall. I know the FIFA ranking isn't a pure ranking, but like the seeding formula is accumulated over time. Just for example. We played England's B/C team against our B/C team this year in Chicago and they were one goal better than us, yet they're ranked behind us. Another point: on most days, the US would lose to almost all of the teams in the top 12 of the World Rankings, sans Mexico, and maybe Portugal (we've proven we can beat them).

We're a good team, but I don't believe we're in the top 10 at this point.

FYP with previously established BS info.

[the Next Level]

Another point: on most days, the US would lose to almost all of the teams in the top 12 of the World Rankings, sans Mexico, and maybe Portugal (we've proven we can beat them).

We're a good team, but I don't believe we're in the top 10 at this point.

Maybe in Europe, but in our half of the world or on neutral ground? I doubt it.

[bltleo]

yes, switching spots with Germany in a ranking of best teams would work well.


If I understand you right, you would agree to "swap" (to change) place
of USA to 15 and Germany to 7? Great job. Where is the address of FIFA:)

well keep your 7.place. You deserved it.
bltleo
GERMANY

[Achtung]

Let's put it this way: we'll take the high ranking and all of its benefits even if most of us feel it flatters the quality of the US team. The point is just that if you were to take some sort of college football-style poll of top world soccer experts, we'd probably rank somewhere around 15th in the world, that's all.

Yes, the FIFA rankings use a mathematical formula. Doesn't mean it represents the way people perceive the top national teams. You could probably manage to come up with a formula that made Grenada the top team in the world if you wanted to.

Let's be realistic about our position in world soccer, but at the same time let's not have an inferiority complex about it.

[Roehl Sybing]

mindless sychophants?
I didn't realize that being a fan implied being self-serving.

[appoo]

If I understand you right, you would agree to "swap" (to change) place
of USA to 15 and Germany to 7? Great job. Where is the address of FIFA:)

well keep your 7.place. You deserved it.
bltleo
GERMANY


FIFA doesn't do a ranking of the best teams :)

I'm not even sure what their rankings represent to be perfectly honest.

How are the Czech Republic #3? Did they even play in the 98 world cup?