I THINK ITS RIDICULOUS.
2006-06-12 20:53:46 · 16 answers · asked by cooldude 2 in Sports ➔ Football ➔ FIFA World Cup (TM)
http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/rank/procedures/0,2540,3,00.html
The FIFA ranking system was introduced in 1993 and is supposed to be a reliable measure for comparing national teams, but if you look at the previous World Cup in 2002, and prior to that in 1998 you would discover that it is not reliable.
If you look at the ranking system in May prior to those World Cup's starting, and then at the outcome of the World Cup, you'd find that out of 8 teams: Winners, Second, Third, Fourth, then the 4 Quarter Finalists, only two were ranked in the top 8, and you don't have to be a genius to believe Brazil are the top team.
France won the World Cup in 1998 yet were ranked 18th, even Egypt and Morroco were ahead of them.
Brazil won the World Cup in 2002 and were ranked 3rd, France were ranked 1st yet had a terrible tournament.
If you want to bet on the World Cup don't use the ranking system, it is not an indicator of World Cup performance.
2006-06-12 21:22:28 · answer #1 · answered by what? 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's certainly unreliable.
(Sorry Americans, but your FOOTBALL team is going to be used as my case study).
The USA is ranked 5th. This puts them ahead of England and Argentina, amongst many others. Both teams would put the USA to the sword, and as far as I remember, England did beat the USA over there in a friendly perhaps 12 months ago.
The USA's high ranking is due to them beating easy opposition in the CONCACAF group. Mexico is their only real opponent. Were the USA subject to the tougher European, South American or African qualifying groups, they would struggle somewhat. This is not to say that the Americans should be written off, but I don't believe they deserve to be considered the equal fifth best team in the worldespecially after being belted by the Czech Republic. Realistically they should be placed between 15 and 20 - they do belong in the top 20, but not the top 5.
2006-06-13 08:03:24 · answer #2 · answered by Magpiesfan1993 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Fifa rankings are bobbins, how on earth can the USA be ranked 5th in the world when they play most of their games against the likes of `canada`, `Peru`, `Guatemala` etc, last nights result (soundly beaten 3-0 by the Czech Republic) proved they are not worthy of that ranking and cant wait til they come up against Italy lol
2006-06-13 04:59:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its crazy, USA are 5th because they get ranking points for beating crap teams. In Europe most teams are fairly equal so ranking points are harder to get.
But it should'nt surprise you, thats FIFA for you.
2006-06-14 14:38:33 · answer #4 · answered by brad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crap
I think all the countries should go into one big hat and then draw them out. No groups or favourites just a straight knockout.
2006-06-13 04:01:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sucks @$$.
The U.S.A are on the FIFA list, one of those F's stands for football and they still call it "soccer" the tw@ts.
Their version of "football" (the game where you don't use your feet) should be called "gay rugby" for all that padding they wear.
2006-06-13 04:04:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cannot believe it!!! Even USA and Mexico ranked higher than wad i expected!!! Unbelievable
2006-06-13 04:29:30 · answer #7 · answered by sam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a bloddy joke. how can mexico be ranked 4th and czech rep 2nd?
i dont know what system is in place but they better ge rid of it
2006-06-13 03:59:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Soccer sucks! Basketball rules! (Go Lakers! we will get them next time)
2006-06-13 03:57:09 · answer #9 · answered by Jimmie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it isnt very good, very inaccurate and all over the place, USA ranked 5th in the world :P wat a mistake...
2006-06-13 04:00:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋