[Father Ted]

http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/020814/80/d7f3b.html

[NASL Fan]

Yeah, and the two teams we beat in WC2002 are 6th (Mex) and 9th (Port). The Netherlands is 14th. And Colombia is 15th, ahead of 18 other teams that played in the World Cup...

[Red Card]

Each team is given a computed "score" and then the teams are ranked with the highest score on top. The mathematical formula used is what is questionable.

The most common formula is the "Elo" formula which is used for rankings in chess and tennis. Applied to soccer it gives different rankings than Fifa's formula. See http://www.eloratings.net/ and go down past the recent results.

In the Elo system, which is updated daily and based solely on results. In Elo, the US is tied for 20th, the Netherlands is #2, Colombia is #12, and Mexico is tied for #16.

Each system has its peculiarities. But remember they are based on mathematical formulas that give and take away points due to results. The higher the team's points, the higher their ranking. The big problem is how to weight the results. Should a Copa America final count as much as a World Cup semi-final? Should a friendly count when one team sends their "C" team?

[worldsoccer-Jeff]

Originally posted by NASL Fan
Yeah, and the two teams we beat in WC2002 are 6th (Mex) and 9th (Port). The Netherlands is 14th. And Colombia is 15th, ahead of 18 other teams that played in the World Cup...

Yeah, and Poland beat the USA, so I guess they should be ranked in the top 8 right? Come on, you know better than that.

[Football Ronin]

Not only is it cool that the U.S. finally broke the top ten, but it is on the front page of fifa.com right now. (At least the english version.)

http://www.fifa.com/

Of course I don't know how long it will stay there.

[SNUSA]

Any of the math wizards out there know where this puts us in the shot for a seed at WC06 (should we qualify and play well in the next four years)?

[Topo]

We broke the top 10. It's nothing but good news.

In theory this means that we are the favorite in most of our games. In practice, we are often still treated as an underdog. Whatever. It means very little, but is a nice confidence boost.

If it meant anything, this would be iceskating instead of a sport.

Also:

New Zealand went up 41 places (thanks to an Oceania Cup victory which featured MLS players Ryan Nelson and Simon Elliott).

[Topo]

Originally posted by Topo
New Zealand went up 41 places (thanks to an Oceania Cup victory which featured MLS players Ryan Nelson and Simon Elliott).

I mis-stated that, gained 41 points to move up to 47th place.

[prk166]

I agree that the rankings don't mean a lot. But at least they're a decent attempt at trying to track team results. And as they get more refined over time, they would mean even more.

[Topo]

Oh yeah. We're actually tied with Italy for 9th place.