The FIFA World Rankings have always been pretty nonsensical but they could be hitting new heights on Thursday.
We gave up on them when Ireland moved beyond the 60 mark – when Ireland move back up (never say never), they’ll probably be the best thing since Gary Breen but, for now, they’re rubbish.
And both Wales and England are about to jump into the top 10 courtesy of the weird ranking systems they have going on in Zurich.
Alright, Wales beat the second best side in the world, Belgium, but why were they second?
England scrape by Slovenia, and they’re getting bumped up ahead of the Spanish and Italians and French as well.
But there is a formula to the rankings. Honestly.
A 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 (depreciates yearly).
And the numbers have been crunched and they’re expecting to see two British teams named as the top 10 sides in the world. At football…
But of course still not ahead of the mighty Romania who have come into this week’s rankings off the back of holding the mighty Northern Ireland to a goalless draw.
In that case, Ireland and Scotland should be top five.
Predicted top 10:
1. Argentina
2. Germany
3. Belgium
4. Colombia
5. Netherlands
6. Brazil
7. Portugal
8. Romania
9. England
10. Wales
