England rise to fourth in Fifa world football rankings
Last updated on .From the section Football
England have risen two places to fourth in the Fifa world rankings despite their Euro 2012 quarter-final exit.
European champions Spain remain number one, while beaten finalists Italy - who knocked England out on penalties - go up six places to sixth.
The 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil drop out of the top 10 for the first time, falling five spots to 11th.
Wales remain 38th, Scotland are ranked 49th - down eight places - while Northern Ireland move up one to 102nd.
The Republic of Ireland, who lost all three group matches at Euro 2012, fall to 26th from 18th.
Both defeated Euro 2012 semi-finalists rise in the rankings with Germany up a place in second while Portugal climb five spots to fifth.
The Fifa world rankings are compiled every month, with ranking points accumulated according to results, the importance of the matches played and the strength of opposing teams.
Five-times world champions Brazil, who do not have to qualify for the World Cup as hosts, have played less top-level matches in 2012 than some of the other leading nations.
England have not reached a major tournament semi-final since the European Championship on home soil in 1996.
At Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, England topped their group after drawing with France and beating Sweden and Ukraine before the defeat on penalties to Italy.
Fifa world rankings - top 20
1. Spain 2. Germany 3. Uruguay 4. England 5. Portugal 6. Italy 7. Argentina 8. Netherlands 9. Croatia 10. Denmark 11. Brazil 12. Greece 13. Russia 14. France 15. Chile 16. Ivory Coast 17. Sweden 18. Czech Republic 19. Mexico 20. Japan
Selected others: 26. Republic of Ireland 38. Wales 49. Scotland 102. Northern Ireland
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Still surprising though.
If we had to play a tournament, we'd soon discover we're not 4th best in the world (and nearly 3rd); but we do consistently grind out results.
Anyway, it does mean we're seeded when any groups are drawn.
If people look only at RESULTS, we probably are 4th. Performance is not measured, only results.
England have been very hard to beat over the last 4+ years, having lost only 6 out of 42 games under FC, and 0 out of 6 (90 mins) under RH.
Nobody beat us at the Euros, we won the majority of games under Capello. We were knocked out of WC2010 by a team ranked above us.
Actual performance doesn't come into it. Our results over the period are 4th best in the world.
2010 WC 4th
Copa America 2011 Winners
You see, it is all results based. I would say the rankings are accurate to within 4 or 5 places either way, clearly England are not realistically 4th best but are top 10. Deal with it.
It won't have been sat there with its head in his hands asking 'why can't they string more than 4 passes together...'
It's obvious that on the pitch we have to put the performances with the results.
It's also obvious the FA, who control the grass roots football, need a kick up the backside!
@ 137.JensonJet
"Surely, never in the history of sport world rankings has a team so high up stood so little chance of actually winning a tournament!"
"You mean, apart from Uruguay I presume."
Presumably you don't mean Uruguay who won the last Copa America do you? Beating hosts Argentina on the way? Isn't this the same team that finished 4th at the last WC?
England 4th? They're just about the 4th best team in the UK