WALES sit two places above England in the Fifa world rankings, while Scotland wallow below Benin in 67th in a mixed bag for the home nations.
Chris Coleman’s side made the semi-finals at Euro 2016 and are unbeaten since losing their semi-final clash with Portugal.
Gareth Bale helped Wales make history at Euro 2016 and they are now above EnglandEngland are also unbeaten in four World Cup qualifying games with Gareth Southgate in charge, having endured a torrid Euros under Roy Hodgson – and are 14th.
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Here, SunSport explains everything there is to know about the Fifa world rankings.
What are the Fifa world rankings?
In December 1992, Fifa first published a listing in rank order of its member associations to provide a basis for comparison of the relative strengths of these teams.
Ever since, with some changes along the way, they have been released every month.
And membership of Fifa has expanded from 167 to 209 since the rankings began, so all 209 members are currently included in the rankings.
Argentina are currently ranked No1, while the likes of Djibouti, Bahamas, Eritrea, Tonga and Gibraltar are all joint last in the list.
How are the Fifa world rankings calculated?
Bear with us, as Fifa have a seriously complex equation for this – but in essence, any team that does well in world football wins points which enable it to climb the world ranking.
The team’s total number of points over a four-year period is determined by adding the average number of points gained from matches during the past 12 months and the average number of points gained from matches older than 12 months.
But there are factors as to how many points can be gained – whether the match was won or drawn, obviously. But also how important the game was, ranging from a friendly tie to a World Cup clash.
Also included is how strong was the opposing team in terms of ranking position and the confederation to which they belong?
It all adds up into a math problem harking back to GCSE years.
The number of points (P) that can be won in a match depends on:
- Was the match won or drawn? (M)
- How important was the match? (I) How strong was the opposing team in terms of ranking position and confederation to which they belong? (T and C)
- P = M x I x T x C
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M: Points for match result
A victory means three points and a draw is one. Winning on penalties is worth two points while losing in a shootout equates to one.
I: Importance of match
Friendly game = 1.0
World Cup qualifier or confederation-level qualifier = 2.5
Confederation level final competition or Confederations Cup = 3.0
World Cup final competition = 4.0
T: Strength of opposition
The following formula determines the strength of the opposing team: 200 – ranking position of opponents. However, the No1 ranked team is always assigned the value 200 and the sides ranked 150th and below are given a minimum value of 50.
C: Strength of confederation
In a match involving two teams from different confederations, the mean value of the confederations to which the two competing sides belong is used.
The strength of a confederation is calculated by the number of victories that particular one has won at the last three World Cups.
Conmebol = 1.00
Uefa = 0.99
AFC/CAF/OFC/Concacaf = 0.85
What is the current Fifa top ten?
This is as of March 2017:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Germany
- Chile
- Belgium
- France
- Colombia
- Portugal
- Uruguay
- Spain
The Republic of Ireland are in 24th, Northern Ireland are 35th while Gordon Strachan’s Scotland languish below Benin, Panama, and Uzbekistan in the rankings at 67.
What is England’s highest-ever Fifa ranking?
Their highest was number three in August 2012, under Roy Hodgson.
While their lowest was number 27 in February 1996 under Terry Venables.
What is Scotland’s highest-ever Fifa ranking?
Their highest was No13 in October 2007.
While their lowest was 88th in March 2005.
What is Wales’ highest-ever Fifa ranking?
Their highest was No8 in October 2015, fresh from their dream Euro 2016 showing.
While their lowest was 117th in August 2011.
What is Northern Ireland’s highest-ever Fifa ranking?
Their highest was No25 in June 2016.
While their lowest was 129th in September 2012.
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