The FIFA World Rankings have long since been a point of contention among football fans, mainly because they just don't seem to add up. As opposed to sports like rugby or tennis where they seem logical, it honestly feels as if the FIFA pick names out of a hat and decide teams' positions o that basis.
There's a mountain of evidence to support theories like this and there has been for some time now. The rankings have been in place for years and years and given FIFA's corrupt accusations in recent times, it's hardly surprising to see people up in arms about this. Then again, could it just be favouritism towards their own nation?
The short answer to that is no. Right now Argentina sit atop the rankings, one place ahead of Germany. That right there signifies a big warning sign, because if you remember correctly it was the Germans who defeated the Argentines (who just lost to Brazil, 3-0) 1-0 in the 2014 World Cup Final. An odd placement, and one that grows even more suspicious when you look into their continental competition histories.
Germany managed to reach the semi-finals of the Euros before bowing out to hosts France who, funnily enough, are down in 7th. Meanwhile Argentina did indeed make it to back to back Copa America Finals, however both times they were bested by Chile.
Where are Chile, you ask? Down in sixth. Meanwhile you've got the eventual winners of the Euros, Portugal, in eight behind the team they actually defeated to win the tournament. There's an awful lot of inconsistencies with Belgium and Colombia's inclusions in the top five making no sense whatsoever.
Then you've even got Wales, deservedly above England, but also above a team like Italy when in reality there is no real contest between the two in terms of overall ability. Yes, Wales reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, but that was on the back of Gareth Bale and there is no two ways about it.
When you approach the slightly lower stages of the rankings they just continue to seem more random than the last, and it does beg the question of whether or not these things need a serious change up. It's simple: yes they do, and it should be more of an honor to be placed highly in them. That's FIFA for you, I guess.
