The FIFA World Ranking is perhaps the most hated chart in world football. However, as long as it affects the seeding ahead of tournament draws, fans continue to be concerned about it. The October 2014 edition of the ranking is not less controversial than last month’s.
The biggest talking point is the fall of reigning European champions Spain. They are now out of the continent’s top five footballing countries and only 10th in the world. That said, La Furia Roja ranks below Cristiano Ronaldo’s struggling Portugal.
There is also bad news for Greece, England and USA whereas Algeria have been rewarded with a remarkable jump to rank 15th in the world and first in Africa.
Meanwhile, the world’s top three remains unchanged. World Cup 2014 champions Germany still lead ahead of Colombia and Argentina. Brazil also keep their position in sixth, despite convincingly beating Messi’s Albiceleste in the Superclasico de las Americas earlier in October.
(See further below for the world’s Top 20)
UEFA’s Top 5: Spain OUT!
CONMEBOL’s Top 5: Messi’s Argentina still above Neymar’s Brazil
CONCACAF’s Top 5: Huge boost for Trinidad and Tobago
CAF’s Top 5: Algeria still rising
OFC’s Top 5: More negatives than positives
AFC’s Top 5: Only negatives… what’s the way forward?
The World’s Top 20: Who can dethrone Germany?