FIFA announces its ranking status of top 200 soccer teams on Wednesday, and it includes some of the interesting ups and downs. Spain and German share first and second spots respectively; while Spain’s first place remained intact for it despite its 1-1 draw with France, German’s second spot is a bit of surprise for everyone coz of its disappointed results of the late. Argentina, this time, makes it to the third place leaving behind Portugal after its exciting wins over Uruguay and Chile. One of the interesting changes is in England’s position, which has deteriorated from fifth to sixth place; its ex position is taken over by Italy thanks to its wonderful performance in Euro 2012 final qualifiers. Moreover, Italy gained around ten points out of its brilliant display of soccer in world cup qualifiers too. Another highlight of top ten teams is Russia that improved its position from 12th to 9th position thanks to its remarkable wins over Portugal and Azerbaijan in world cup qualifiers. Noticeably, the host for 2014 FIFA world cup and five times world cup champion Brazil is comfortable on its 13th spot after defeating Japan by 4-0 and Iraq by 6-0 in their respective friendlier.
Region wise, top African soccer team is Cote d’Ivoire with its 15th spot while Japan represents Asia with its 24th spot in FIFA ranking. Ireland slipped down by eight places to 36th place after its 6-1 thrashing defeat from Germany while Scotland, after sacking its coach over his bad results, is placed at 70th losing 14 positions. Moreover, Wales, after its head to head win over Scotland and a 2-0 defeat from Croatia, slipped from its earlier 57th position to 66th place. Uruguay’s loss of form costs it an absence from top ten teams; it could only secure 11th place losing four positions from its earlier 7th position. Nonetheless, Brazil’s absence from top ten teams is still a major concern for Brazil despite its comprehensive wins in two friendlier. These wins could only help Brazil gaining one spot, i.e., its earlier 14th place to 13th place. Anyhow, since it is the host of 2014 world cup, it doesn’t need to qualify for it. Brazil’s next friendlier is against Colombia next week.
Current FIFA’s Top twenty Soccer teams are as follows:
- 1. Spain
- 2. Germany
- 3. Argentina
- 4. Portugal
- 5. Italy
- 6. England
- 7. Netherlands
- 8. Colombia
- 9. Russia
- 10. Croatia
- 11. Uruguay
- 12. Greece
- 13. Brazil
- 14. Mexico
- 15. Côte d’Ivoire
- 16. Switzerland
- 17. Ecuador
- 18. France
- 19. Algeria
- 20. Belgium