In These New Times

England soar to fourth place, ahead of Brazil

Guardian

29th June, 2011

England are officially a better team than Brazil, according to the latestFifa world rankings.

The rankings, based on the results of all international “A” matches, rate England as the fourth best team in the world, up two places, and behind only Spain, Holland and Germany.

The system was revised in 2005 in an attempt to improve its accuracy, taking into account the last four years of results, with allowances made for the importance of the matches and the strength of the opponents. Fifa said the aim was to combine “transparency and simplicity” with “the reality of world football”.

England’s last three results were draws against Switzerland and Ghana, and a win over Wales, who the rankings rate as joint 114th in the world, along with the Faroe Islands.

Scotland are up five places to 61st, Northern Ireland are 62nd, while the Republic of Ireland moved up three places to 31st. Mexico are in the top ten for the first time since July 2007 after their Concacaf Gold Cup win.

Fifa World Rankings: top 10

1 Spain (May’s position: 1st)

2 Holland (2nd)

3 Germany (4th)

4 England (6th)

5 Brazil (3rd)

6 Italy (9th)

7 Portugal (8th)

8 Croatia (10th)

9 Mexico (28th)

10 Argentina (5th)