FIFA rankings thread

[Edgar]

You'd have 947 points as you can see in the FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/03/fifa-ranking-april-2009-preview-i.html) preview and you could climb to 11th place.

[Wolfie]

What was our best ever ranking in this strange netherworld they call FIFA Rankings?

5th?

[Edgar]

6th in Aug 1993 - in the very first edition of the FIFA ranking.

The last time you've graced the top 10 was in May 1995. Last top 20 presence in August 2005 (14th).

[Pike B]

You'd have 947 points as you can see in the FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/03/fifa-ranking-april-2009-preview-i.html) preview and you could climb to 11th place.
Nice..

[Wolfie]

6th in Aug 1993 - in the very first edition of the FIFA ranking.

The last time you've graced the top 10 was in May 1995. Last top 20 presence in August 2005 (14th).

6th in August 1993!

We'd a few great wins in '94 as well - Holland, Germany and Italy.

Granted the Dutch and German games were pre-World Cup friendlies.

Defeats to Mexico and Czech Rep tarnish the 94 record to a certain degree.

[swinfordfc]

Does anyone know how we are fix before our mauling in Bari?

[Edgar]

30th.

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/03/fifa-ranking-april-2009-intermediary.html): April 2009 intermediate ranking.

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/03/fifa-ranking-april-2009-preview-iii.html): April 2009 preview (III).

[swinfordfc]

30th.

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/03/fifa-ranking-april-2009-intermediary.html): April 2009 intermediate ranking.

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/03/fifa-ranking-april-2009-preview-iii.html): April 2009 preview (III).

Thanks Edgar - slowly slipping downwards! ...... :o

[swinfordfc]

Egdar,

do your stuff ...... please :)

[tricky_colour]

You would think we would get a boost after Italy but I guess Bulgaria was not great,
I expect a lot depends on which result drops out of the calculation?
If a bad result drops out we move up, if a good result drops out we move down.

[Edgar]

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/04/fifa-ranking-april-2009-final-preview.html): April 2009 final preview.

Down 8 places and overtaken by Northern Ireland.

[swinfordfc]

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/04/fifa-ranking-april-2009-final-preview.html): April 2009 final preview.

Down 8 places and overtaken by Northern Ireland.

34th - Its a fair reflection when you dont win at home in fairest!

[tricky_colour]

Seems a bit of a surprise to drop so much, we have not lost a game in the qualifiers
and our record is as good as if not better than Bularia's who are 14 places ahead of us?
Not sure how they work the rankings out.

[Colbert Report]

The rankings are a joke but you need a system in which to determine seeds for the next qualifying campaign. I think the results that are taken into account go back four years - so we will drop four years from now on the basis that our draw away to the world champions is a "good" result. What game was it that dropped off this time from four years ago? Who knows.

[Edgar]

Your wins against Wales and Slovakia (March 2007) lost value.

It's not a big drop in points - you only lost 10 points. However, with most countries playing qualifiers - 8 of them managed to get their average up: Bulgaria, Scotland, Chile, Australia, Ghana, Serbia, Denmark and Northern Ireland.

[swinfordfc]

Your wins against Wales and Slovakia (March 2007) lost value.

It's not a big drop in points - you only lost 10 points. However, with most countries playing qualifiers - 8 of them managed to get their average up: Bulgaria, Scotland, Chile, Australia, Ghana, Serbia, Denmark and Northern Ireland.

Ok we are officially 34th placed now - what happen to the rankings as they are little games play between now and then?

[Edgar]

No change for most teams.

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/04/fifa-ranking-may-2009-intermediate.html): May 2009 intermediate ranking.

[Edgar]

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/05/fifa-ranking-june-2009-preview.html): June 2009 preview.
FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/05/fifa-ranking-june-2009-intermediate.html): June 2009 intermediate ranking.

[John83]

The rankings are a joke but you need a system in which to determine seeds for the next qualifying campaign. I think the results that are taken into account go back four years - so we will drop four years from now on the basis that our draw away to the world champions is a "good" result. What game was it that dropped off this time from four years ago? Who knows.
The Elo system is much fairer. The site that carries them is down right now, but Google has a cache of it (http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:YLYlLiaY5rEJ:www.eloratings.net/+soccer+elo+rankings&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk).

Basically, the difference between two teams ratings is related to the probability that they'll beat one another. The numbers are updated with each game. The system is used in chess, and the guy with the highest Elo rating is generally held to be the best player in the world without any great controversy. FIFA's rankings hardly have the same credibility.

[Gather round]

The rankings are a joke but you need a system in which to determine seeds for the next qualifying campaign. I think the results that are taken into account go back four years - so we will drop four years from now on the basis that our draw away to the world champions is a "good" result. What game was it that dropped off this time from four years ago? Who knows

A simple system to determine future seedings- just rank everybody on their points earned in the qualifying tournament. This ends every second November, giving a clear six to nine months before everyone kicks off in the next competition. You might need to adjust for one or two different-sized groups (say by discounting results against the group minnow), or to allow for a hosting country (eg by using their results in their last set of qualifiers). But the principle is easy to follow.

I know the arguments against it, both ostensible (UEFA and FIFA prefer the integrity of their 'own' competition) and real (that large country which occasionally has a stinker in the qualifiers has to be protected). But they look weak arguments to me.

Just possibly a country could sneak into the finals, then win them- but still be a relatively low seed next time. Tough ;) If nothing else, it'll keep the big boys honest...


The Elo system is much fairer...Basically, the difference between two teams ratings is related to the probability that they'll beat one another. The numbers are updated with each game. The system is used in chess, and the guy with the highest Elo rating is generally held to be the best player in the world without any great controversy. FIFA's rankings hardly have the same credibility

Agreed elo is much more sensible and fairer than FIFA, but I don't see the need for it. There are only 53 countries contesting each UEFA championships, as opposed to potentially thousands of chess masters. There's also a potential oddity given what has happened recently in qualifying games- Spain surrendered to NI who imploded versus Iceland who lost heavily to Liechtenstein. Would that distort the elo points they earned against each other?

Any system which ranks teams on the last three tournaments (in ratio 40:40:20) looks daft.

[swinfordfc]

So will the Nigeria game have much of a change in our ranking by 6th June?

[Edgar]

The official deadline for matches to be included in the June ranking is May 27th (today). However, there's another unofficial deadline on May 31st.

Officially, the Nigeria game will have no impact. But if FIFA do include the match, it will of course change your total.

[Edgar]

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/05/fifa-ranking-june-2009-final-preview.html): June 2009 final preview.

Up 5th places to 29th.

[paul_oshea]

EG will still be happy then!!!

[EalingGreen]

EG will still be happy then!!!

Yep, but only until such time as we go behind ye! Then you'll not hear a peep out of me about these "discredited" rankings - until we go back in front again...;)

P.S. Someone on another thread (it wasn't yourself, maybe?) pointed out that you only ever heard from me about the Rankings when NI are ahead, which amused me. As if any sensible fan would brag about something when he has nothing to brag about.

P.P.S. We are due an 8? 9? 10? goal drubbing by the Italians in a week's time, so I might just be taking a Vow of Silence soon enough!

[youngirish]

P.S. Someone on another thread (it wasn't yourself, maybe?) pointed out that you only ever heard from me about the Rankings when NI are ahead, which amused me. As if any sensible fan would brag about something when he has nothing to brag about.

It was myself and a sensible fan would not go onto another team's fans forum, a team that he himself considers a rival and consistently post links to rankings only when his team is higher in such rankings, even when the majority of the time this has nothing to do with the associated thread. When ROI are ahead in the rankings as has been mentioned these types of posts (and EG posts in general) tend to disappear off the radar.

That's being a Wind Up Merchant and only looking to cause arguments.

[paul_oshea]

In fairness YI, s/he(;)) has contributed the last couple of weeks on other threads too. I thought you two had kissed and made up anyway ;)

[livehead1]

In fairness YI, s/he(;)) has contributed the last couple of weeks on other threads too. I thought you two had kissed and made up anyway ;)

Yeh, I'd second that; I've been watching from afar and been mildly impressed! ;)

[paul_oshea]

livehead are you from warwickshire or harrow by any chance?!

[swinfordfc]

so with the preview of the rankings for 6th of june and the nigeria game is not into account - we are up to 29th.

if the nigeria game was taken into account and all the other games tonight (think there's 6 in all) would this change ours position? i doubt it but we if we was to win - surley we go above nigeria and move up to 28th?

[Edgar]

so with the preview of the rankings for 6th of june and the nigeria game is not into account - we are up to 29th.

if the nigeria game was taken into account and all the other games tonight (think there's 6 in all) would this change ours position? i doubt it but we if we was to win - surley we go above nigeria and move up to 28th?

If the Nigeria game is taken into account, anything but a win will bring your total down. A win will keep it unchanged - 797 points. With a draw - 762, a loss - 745.

If you defeat Nigeria, you will overtake them, as their total would drop to 753 points.

[swinfordfc]

If the Nigeria game is taken into account, anything but a win will bring your total down. A win will keep it unchanged - 797 points. With a draw - 762, a loss - 745.

If you defeat Nigeria, you will overtake them, as their total would drop to 753 points.

thanks - we better win so ....... :D

[Edgar]

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/06/fifa-ranking-june-2009-possible-changes.html): June 2009 possible changes.

[swinfordfc]

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/06/fifa-ranking-june-2009-possible-changes.html): June 2009 possible changes.

Still at 34th place :D - we are struck here :p

[swinfordfc]

Right so FIFA did include matches up to end of May - so how will the result in bulgaria affect our position by 1st July and how did the Nigeria win over France affect them? it puts the our draw with them in a new light

[Edgar]

A little patience :)

I have to get to the bottom of June 2009 FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/06/fifa-ranking-june-2009-differences.html) differences first.

[Edgar]

Right so FIFA did include matches up to end of May - so how will the result in bulgaria affect our position by 1st July and how did the Nigeria win over France affect them? it puts the our draw with them in a new light

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/06/fifa-ranking-july-2009-preview.html): July 2009 preview.

[swinfordfc]

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/06/fifa-ranking-july-2009-preview.html): July 2009 preview.

edgar,

and chance of a preview after saturday nights games please :D

[Edgar]

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/06/fifa-ranking-july-2009-preview-ii.html): July 2009 preview (II).

[swinfordfc]

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/06/fifa-ranking-july-2009-preview-ii.html): July 2009 preview (II).

Edgar,

is the rankings now based over the last 4 years results or what is it based on - could you explain?
i think ireland will slip in july rankings ....... to 36th prehaps?

[Deckydee]

We are higher than Belgium so I am happy :o)

[swinfordfc]

We are higher than Belgium so I am happy :o)

Belgium are no great team is terms of world football in fairest!

[irishultra]

Belgium are no great team is terms of world football in fairest!

Well we're not better than Belgium, they have far better players and much more for a manager to work with.

Their centre back(one of Van Buyen(Bayern Munich) Vicent Kompany(Manchester City) Vanden Boore(Genoa) ) Vermailen is being lined up by Arsenal for 12 million while our 'world class' centre back is gonna be sold to Stoke City.

Add to that Witsel, Defour and Fellaini(oldest out of all them might be defour and he's about 20-21 max) contesting for midfield spaces and their team overall is pretty deadly. If they had a good striker and a keeper they would be very very good.

[Edgar]

Edgar,

is the rankings now based over the last 4 years results or what is it based on - could you explain?
i think ireland will slip in july rankings ....... to 36th prehaps?

Yes, it's based on results in the last 48 months.
To better understand how the rankings work, see the FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/search/label/detailed%20totals) detailed point totals section on my site.

I have you tied for 37th with Honduras.

FIFA Ranking (http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/06/fifa-ranking-july-2009-probable-ranking_12.html): July 2009 probable ranking (III).

We'll have a better picture on June 28th.

[irishfan86]

Well we're not better than Belgium, they have far better players and much more for a manager to work with.

Their centre back(one of Van Buyen(Bayern Munich) Vicent Kompany(Manchester City) Vanden Boore(Genoa) ) Vermailen is being lined up by Arsenal for 12 million while our 'world class' centre back is gonna be sold to Stoke City.

Add to that Witsel, Defour and Fellaini(oldest out of all them might be defour and he's about 20-21 max) contesting for midfield spaces and their team overall is pretty deadly. If they had a good striker and a keeper they would be very very good.

I don't buy it. I'd take O'Shea and Dunne over those centre-halfs, and I don't care if the Premiership teams don't rate Dunne. Okay, he had an off year by his standards, but Stoke isn't his level, and anybody who thinks so knows nothing about the game.

Keane, Doyle, Duff, McGeady, and even Folan (who cares how Hull rate him, I think he's class), are all quality players that Belgium would love to have in their ranks.

[carloz]

Well we're not better than Belgium, they have far better players and much more for a manager to work with.

Their centre back(one of Van Buyen(Bayern Munich) Vicent Kompany(Manchester City) Vanden Boore(Genoa) ) Vermailen is being lined up by Arsenal for 12 million while our 'world class' centre back is gonna be sold to Stoke City.

Add to that Witsel, Defour and Fellaini(oldest out of all them might be defour and he's about 20-21 max) contesting for midfield spaces and their team overall is pretty deadly. If they had a good striker and a keeper they would be very very good.

Beyond that they have very little and their league is in disaray, so much so that there is talk of merging their league with that of the Dutch. Plus they lost home and away to Bosnia recently which is very disapointing. In the Euro 2008 qualifying they got 18 points from 14 games and finished 5th in the group which is quite simply brutal. Hell they were 6 points behind Finland. They may have some good quality players but as a team they have been seriously struggling in recent years and there is no way in the world they are better than ireland at the minute

[irishultra]

Wouldn't Belgium cease to exist as a football team if they joined with the Dutch League?(I presume since Netherlands are in dominant position they would be ok) How would they work it out? Just have a makeshift part-time League in its place?

I understand that but Belgium has a very young and inexperienced team, if they got a manager of prestige(I hear Dick Advocaat is being lined up) then I think they have a real good team.



I don't buy it. I'd take O'Shea and Dunne over those centre-halfs, and I don't care if the Premiership teams don't rate Dunne. Okay, he had an off year by his standards, but Stoke isn't his level, and anybody who thinks so knows nothing about the game.

Keane, Doyle, Duff, McGeady, and even Folan (who cares how Hull rate him, I think he's class), are all quality players that Belgium would love to have in their ranks.


I think Dunne is good but my point is Belgium could pick from 2 of Van Buyten, Vermailen, Vanden Boore or Kompany as their centre backs.
Dunne is better than Van Buyten but remember Kompany could be the player that replaces him at centre back permanently next season.

I agree about Doyle, Keane and McGeady, but I would kill for those midfielders.

[irishfan86]

Wouldn't Belgium cease to exist as a football team if they joined with the Dutch League?

There are cases of combined leagues between multiple countries (Canada competes in the mostly American MLS, and Welsh teams compete in the English league), and there is talk of a Balkan league forming between former Yugoslav Republics:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/03032009/58/uefa-cup-platini-open-balkan-league.html

[carloz]

I think its because of financial difficulties. If they do unite it would be very difficult for Belgium to keep their half share in the league. The Mid table Dutch teams would be stronger than the mid table Belgian teams. I hope it doesn't happen though.

[irishfan86]

I think its because of financial difficulties. If they do unite it would be very difficult for Belgium to keep their half share in the league. The Mid table Dutch teams would be stronger than the mid table Belgian teams. I hope it doesn't happen though.

That might happen initially, but surely if Dutch teams were playing regularly in Belgium that would boost attendances and sponsorship, and eventually that injection of money would help those teams compete with the Dutch teams?