FIFA World Rankings - November 2008

November 18, 2008

#1 Spain

Spain still remains at the top of FIFA’s list. Since gaining points from the Euro 2008, they have been victorious in all four of their World Cup qualifiers, adding more to their point record. David Villa is their top scorer, having made five goals. A friendly match is scheduled with Chile for this Tuesday. After a right hamstring tear during their match with Belgium, Fernando Torres is well and has been listed for the upcoming match along with their regular line up.

#2 Germany

Germany has held second place behind Spain since the end of the Euro ’08. They intend to keep this position as they are number one in their group table with 10 points. After a slight problem between players and manager, Michael Ballack has been reported to remain as captain of the national team, despite the rumors that were put out by the Munich newspaper.

#3 Italy

The Italians have first place on their table with ten points for the World Cup qualifiers. They have maintained third place, with 1356 points, on the world list since the end of the Euro ’08. Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has suffered a thigh injury while playing at club level for Juventus and was ruled out of their last WCQ. By March 2009, he will be fully fit and back in Italy’s goal.

#4 Netherlands

Only fourth on FIFA’s list, they are number one in their group table for the qualifiers with 9 points. They have won three of their four matches so far this year. If they keep playing as they did during the Euro ’08, they will definitely be seen in South Africa. Their next match is the 28^th of March 2009, when they will play the Scottish national team.

#5 and 6 Brazil and Argentina

Brazil is one of the two ‘non-European’ teams to make it in the top 10, in which they have 1286 points. They have secured second place in their qualifying table with 10 points.

Argentina is the second ‘non-European’ team to appear with Brazil in the top ten. Argentina was, recently, without a coach until old Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, has signed as the new manager. He will coach his first game November 19^th, when they will travel to Scotland for a friendly match.

# 7 Croatia

Since dropping a few points from the qualifiers, they have moved two positions down to seventh. Now, with 1158 points, they are only 23 points behind Argentina. Ivan Rakitic has been Croatia’s top goal scorer in their 2010 World Cup campaign with two goals. They are second in their group with 7 points, having only lost to England. They will next meet with Andorra on April 1^st, 2009.

#8 Russia

Since August, the Russian national team has moved up two places on the FIFA world table to eighth. Since the start of qualifying, they have won 6 points and sit in second on the group table. Andrei Arshavin is leading goal scorer for Russia with two goals from their two wins at home and one loss away. Their next match is to be the 28th of March, 2009 with Azerbaijan.

#9 Czech Republic

Some bad news for the Czech Republic is that goalkeeper Petr Cech has suffered a thigh injury and is unable to play in their friendly match with San Marino. With four points in their qualifying campaign, they are only found in fifth in their group table.

#10 Portugal

After leading Portugal to the quarterfinals of the Euro ’08, Luis Filipe Scolari resigned as national coach in order to focus all his attention to his English side, Chelsea, in the Premier League. Sir Alex Fergusen, Manchester United boss, has lost his right hand man, Queiroz, as he has left to take the place of Scolari. So far they have five points and have taken third place in their group.

#10 England

England shares tenth place with Portugal on the FIFA world ranking list with 1058 points. After beating Croatia, they are first in their group table. Wayne Rooney is their leading goal scorer with five of their goals. They will play a friendly match with Germany on Tuesday and their next official match will be against the Ukraine on April 1^st of 2009.