France have climbed to the summit of a much-changed FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking in the first edition of the global ladder since a new ranking formula took effect and Les Bleus became world champions.
The formula, which was approved by the FIFA Council in June after a lengthy period of testing, relies on adding/subtracting points won or lost for a game to/from the previous point totals rather than averaging game points over a given time period as in the previous version of the Ranking. The changes, of which there are several, include the fact that inactive teams now preserve their point totals, with no devaluation of older games. Points are dropped, however, from losing or drawing against weaker opposition, with the only exception to this rule matches in knockout rounds of major competitions such as the FIFA World Cup.
The most important thing about the new method is, of course, the table it yields, and in that respect August’s Ranking makes for spectacular reading. France (1st, up 6) provide the headline news, as they have reclaimed pole position for the first time in over 16 years, returning to a spot they last held in May 2002. Just three points, however, separate Les Bleus from Russia 2018 semi-finalists Belgium (2nd, up 1), while World Cup runners-up Croatia (4th, up 16) have equalled their record Ranking position, last reached in June 2013. Other big movers include Uruguay (5th, up 9), England (6th, up 6), Sweden (13th, up 11), and World Cup hosts Russia (49th, up 21).
Naturally, there are losses as well as gains, with previous leaders Germany (15th, down 14) among several sides to suffer for group-stage elimination in Russia. Poland (18th, down 10), Peru (20th, down 9) and Costa Rica and Iceland (joint-32nd, down 9 and 10 respectively) also slipped down the table on the back of disappointing World Cup campaigns.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 20 September 2018.
Leader
France (up 6)
Moves into top 10
Croatia (4th, up 16)
Uruguay (5th, up 9)
England (6th, up 6)
Denmark (9th, up 3)
Moves out of top 10
Argentina (11th, down 6)
Chile (12th, down 3)
Germany (15th, down 14)
Poland (18th, down 10)
Biggest move by points
France (up 150 points)
Biggest move by ranks
Russia (up 21 places)
Biggest drop by points
Egypt (down 77 points)
Biggest drop by ranks
Egypt (down 20 places)
Syncccc
180
Germany at 15? Is this a joke?
nabhab89
124
for people asking why Brazil is third: this is an accumalativ system. Points continue to be added or reduced all the time. it is not just for the world cup. brazil did great in South America qualifications. they also did well in the world cup. they lost a spot. from second to 3rd.
BabaNla_14
102
the 21 World Cup tournaments have been won by eight national teams. Brazil have won five times, and they are the only team to have played in every tournament. The other World Cup winners are Germany and Italy, with four titles each; Argentina , France and inaugural winner Uruguay, with two titles each; and England and Spain with one title each. The World Cup is the most prestigious association football tournament in the world, as well as the most widely viewed and followed sporting event in the world, exceeding even the Olympic Games ; the cumulative audience of all matches of the 2006 World Cup was estimated to be 26.29 billion with an estimated 715.1 million people watching the final match, a ninth of the entire population of the planet
Barca_West
74
Congrats France on top spot In my opinion Croatia would have been Above Brazil they put a better performance so far than Brazil have
prakashcr7
70
Germany in 15. Now only this was remaining to see. Germany in 15th position. I was never expected that.
prvkr
38
Really heartbreaking for DFB fans.. After dominating pretty much 4 years at the top now straight rock bottom.. Really hope Löw to fix everything back no matter what you gotta do.. We still believe in you.. Über Alles🇩🇪🇩🇪