Wales, who the rankings rate as joint 114th in the world, along with the Faroe Island

Fifa world rankings: England soar to fourth place, ahead of Brazil

• Formula rates England among world's finest
• Spain and Holland remain in top two positions

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David Hills
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 29 June 2011 10.34 BST
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Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello is coaching the world's fourth best team, according to the Fifa rankings. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

England are officially a better team than Brazil, according to the latest Fifa 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.

 

I just wanted that up as a headline

 

Yep we're definitely the fourth best team in the world

 

I can just imagine the Brazil squad going "Oh know, we're playing England! ...and, even worse, they've got Green in goal!"

 

*no

(Those Brazilians can't form a sentence)

 

Fourth.... Money must have changed hands surely

 

Fair play to England but I don't see how yis are 4th in the World boys. I would've thought around 8th or 9th

P.S. What time is the fight on this Saturday? Its in Ukraine so is it very late at night?

 

Why is it these money-driven regulators like FIFA, EUFA and the FA, not to mention the press, seem to have a different take on team and player ratings than your average fan?

Come to think of it, I've just answered me own question!

 

England? 4th in the World? They're compensating us for not staging the World Cup.

 

Wales 114th even as a Welshman I will admit thats a bit generous.

England 4th, errrr no

 

And Ace wins the prize!

 

Ooooh goodie, I like prizes......prize for what?

Northolt, remember when I first introduced my illustrious self to you and the QPR fans. Do you remember the thread, It was a QPR transfer thread where I dared to mock some of your fans transfer targets which included the likes of Scott Parker and Peter Crouch and I got slaughtered for daring to do so....anyone care to comment now?

 

didnt think so

 

You show me where I said we should sign ( or stood a chance of signing ) those two players and I will apologise

 

Swords

P.S. What time is the fight on this Saturday? Its in Ukraine so is it very late at night?[/QUOTE]

The fights in Germany

 

You show me where I specifically said that YOU said that. Some of your fans I said, its not that hard to understand really is it?

 

Actually dont bother, just looked at you 'member since' date, you were not even a member when the thread in question was created so why your commenting is actually beyond me.

 

Leave out a bit of ****(ranked as a pub team), and will attract flies(taffy ones!)
And Ace worry about your own team, if you've still enough numbers to make one.

 

Care to check my "join date" again old boy, then compare and contrast with your own.

 

No need to worry about mine, We have only had a manager for a week and we have signed 1 player and have 2 others being finalised. You on the other hand cant sign any players, Routledge may not be coming back, taarabt looking elsewhere. You probably going to be the first team to get promted and have a worse team than the one you went up with. Just to top it off your owners have cranked up season ticket prices to pay for...........actually, to pay for what? Cant be the new players salaries.