Viewing Thread:
"New FIFA World Rankings"

1 Brazil
2 France
3 Spain
4 Argentina
5 Mexico
6 England
7 Netherlands
8 Turkey
9 Czech Republic
9 Germany
11 United States
12 Italy
13 Cameroon
14 Ireland Republic
14 Denmark
16 Belgium
17 Portugal
18 Sweden
19 Costa Rica
20 Romania

53 Scotland

53 Wales

111 Northern Ireland



England up to 6th, then? Well, I suppose the teams around them have been playing crap, while they've not lost in ages now. Republic of Ireland have stayed right where they were before, in 14th place. Scotland moved up from 59th to 53rd, while Wales fell from 52nd to join Scotland. Northern Ireland moved up one position from 112, but still look far too far down the list.

Strange to see Italy so low in the ranks, and Costa Rica so high. Colombia have also dropped into the mid-20s despite at this time last year being 4th. Czech Republic are climbing at an alarming rate as well, and sit 8th.

Ah well, that's all.

Der Nazi wrote:
> Insane Bartender wrote:
> That's only just been introduced though. France are the first team
> to
> have to qualify to defend their European Cup trophy. I think it's
> being introduced that World Cup winners must also qualify to defend
> it.
>
>
> And seeing that Brazil had so much trouble qualifying for the 2004
> tournament, it may go up in smoke again. But they won't want to lose
> the distinction of appearing in every world cup, though...

Why did I write 2004? I meant 2002.

:)

rabid wrote:
> Rumour has it that Paulo's parents were so poor and uneducated that
> they traded him when he was just 3 weeks old for a select joint of
> lamb so they could survive and feed their older kids... apparently
> they were seen holding 3 week old Paulo infront of a local butcher
> and shouting 'one chop - one chop'

ROFL!!

:D

Insane Bartender wrote:
> That's only just been introduced though. France are the first team to
> have to qualify to defend their European Cup trophy. I think it's
> being introduced that World Cup winners must also qualify to defend
> it.


And seeing that Brazil had so much trouble qualifying for the 2004 tournament, it may go up in smoke again. But they won't want to lose the distinction of appearing in every world cup, though...

Der Nazi wrote:
> I thought England won Tournouri de France back in 1998??!!?

Isn't it "le Tourniou?"

But yeah, England won both their opening games (Vs Italy and France) While everyone else drew theirs, leaving england to play Brazil having already won. It was in that tournament that Roberto Carlos' now infamous "super bend" free kick was taken. Have to admit though, at the time, it WAS awesome.

That's only just been introduced though. France are the first team to have to qualify to defend their European Cup trophy. I think it's being introduced that World Cup winners must also qualify to defend it.

You've got something wrong there: Even the champions have to qualify to get into the European championships.

The excuse i remember hearing was...

'We havnt played any competitive matches like qualifying becasue we are the holders of both Euro and World cups so no qualification was neccesary which also means no games'

Words to that effect anyway...

Whilst understandable to a degree you just cant help detecting more than a hint of arrogance in how it was said :p

So it was just a plan to boost their rating.

Dirty sods!

There was another similar event held last year... i wasnt sure if they called it the same name or not tho, like a pre-world cup tournie... thats basically all it is (for invited teams only)