England rise to sixth in Fifa rankings after World Cup run

Last updated on 16 August 2018.From the section Football678

England have moved up six places to sixth in Fifa's world rankings after their run to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia.

It is their highest position since they were fourth in March 2013.

World Cup winners France rise six spots to top the rankings, ahead of Belgium, Brazil and Croatia, while Germany fall from first to 15th place.

Wales are down one to 19th, while Northern Ireland and Scotland go up two to 27th and 40th respectively,

The Republic of Ireland also rise two positions to 29th.

England beat Colombia and Sweden in the knockout stages in Russia before losing 2-1 to Croatia in the semi-finals as they attempted to reach the final for the first time since 1966.

France have taken over top spot from Germany after winning the tournament for the second time, with runners-up Croatia rising 16 spots to fourth. Host nation Russia were the biggest climbers in the rankings, up 21 places to 49th.

Germany have plummeted down the rankings following their exit at the group stage.

Argentina, down six places to 11th, Chile, down three places to 12th, and Poland, down 10 to 18th, also slipped out of the top 10.

England return to international action on 8 September when they face Spain in the Uefa Nations League at Wembley.

The latest Fifa rankings were created using a new formula approved by the governing body in June.

Full Fifa rankings

Fifa men's rankings

1 France (+6)

2 Belgium (+1)

3 Brazil (-1)

4 Croatia (+16)

5 Uruguay (+9)

6 England (+6)

7 Portugal (-3)

8 Switzerland (-2)

9 Spain (+1), Denmark (+3)

Selected others

15 Germany (-14)

17 Netherlands (-)

19 Wales (-1)

21 Italy (-2)

27 Northern Ireland (+2)

29 Republic of Ireland (+2)

40 Scotland (+2)

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678 comments

Comment posted by NorthernMatt, at 11:51 16 Aug 2018
''It is their highest position since they were fourth in March 2013''

Ah yes that famous England team of 2012/13....precisely why rankings are nothing but useless.
Comment posted by You, at 11:48 16 Aug 2018
FIFA ranking are a waste of time,

Poland were ranked 7th going into the world cup due to not playing friendlies, and they were terrible

do not read anything into this
Comment posted by Emile Heskey for England Captain, at 11:51 16 Aug 2018
These rankings are ridiculous.

Just because Germany had a bad World Cup finals - they slide to 15th in the world? Behind Denmark and Switzerland?!

Italy 21st in the world? Below Wales?!

Good work FIFA...
Comment posted by User0289145192, at 11:52 16 Aug 2018
Within 10 comments all the England haters are out ! Get a life ! Just because your teams are all rubbish it's not England's fault ! Ha ha well done Celtic !
Comment posted by DeBenjamin, at 13:05 16 Aug 2018
The FIFA ranking system is flawed and pointless.

As for people putting down England's World Cup campaign- we had a cracking summer, thanks! BBQs, beer gardens and parties all the way to a WC semi-final. Most of you will never experience anything like it, so pipe down :)
Comment posted by MacFergus, at 11:47 16 Aug 2018
Pointless ranking system that really doesn't say anything.

Another FIFA Gimmick.
Comment posted by On the Contrary, at 12:23 16 Aug 2018
If you finish 4th at a WC Finals beating two group winners on the way and only getting knocked out in Extra Time it doesn't seem unreasonable to be ranked at least 6th.

The rest of the rankings seem broadly right too. France and Belgium were the standout sides and good to see Croatia's fantastic performances recognised too.
Comment posted by AndyB_MOT, at 12:34 16 Aug 2018
Ridiculous system. There's no way Germany are 15th.

If they were, they'd have qualified for the last 16 ;-)
Comment posted by CD1966, at 12:24 16 Aug 2018
"They played 7 games at the WC & lost 3. "

The three games they lost were:

1 World Cup Semi-Final, lost in the second period of extra-time against an experienced and technically superior Croatia team

2 meaningless games with second string players against Belgium's 2nd XI
Comment posted by D1679088608067, at 12:39 16 Aug 2018
Haha the trolls are a real joke on these forums. England had a great WC, no we aren't the best team in the world but WC semis is a huge achievement and one we should be proud of!
Comment posted by AndyB_MOT, at 12:56 16 Aug 2018
@130 "Statistically, England were the best team in the World Cup, that's been confirmed by the OPTA stats."

Actually statistically France were the best team in the World Cup. Because....errrrr.........they won it.
Comment posted by U16603232, at 16:08 16 Aug 2018
These HYS are always good clickbait for the salty, obsessive scotch.
Has anyone up there suggested they form their own national football team to give them something else to concentrate on other than England?
What? They have a team? I'm sorry, I had no idea.
Comment posted by User0063173560, at 13:04 16 Aug 2018
Listen, Anglo friends.

You can berate us for beating " pub teams " all you like.
6th is too high.. but

The last world cup was magical for English fans whether you like it or not.
My wife, son, and daughters ( who are not football fans) all got involved and cheered every goal with me and got totally engrossed.

Might be a while till yours do the same.

So stop the obvious jealousy eh
Comment posted by Kasbah, at 12:01 16 Aug 2018
26. Posted by Ivor Keyboard
on
2 minutes ago

I too used to think these rankings were a folly. However now we're in the top five, I'm warming to them!!

=============

we're 6th
Comment posted by jackhunter, at 11:49 16 Aug 2018
@1 Germany have 4 World Cups and 3 Euros so keep on laughing.
Comment posted by On the Contrary, at 12:53 16 Aug 2018
@110 Arbee, "Italy beat us soundly in a recent friendly" Are you referring to the 1-1 draw where England dominated until late in the 2nd half and Italy scored an 87th minute equaliser? We'd previously beaten The Dutch, drawn with Brazil and Germany and narrowly been beaten by France.

I take your point on not being overly positive but equally there's no need to be so glass half empty.
Comment posted by silkman59, at 16:09 16 Aug 2018
@381 JamboStu

You can make fun of Croatia, but at least they actually produce some good footballers, and reach a World Cup final.
Scotland, meanwhile, with a larger population than Croatia haven't produced a decent player since the 70s, and would struggle to qualify even if the World Cup were limited to teams with a name consisting of eight letters, starting with an S and ending with a D...
Comment posted by D1710594370596, at 12:05 16 Aug 2018
Always the same if England are highly ranked the system is a joke if we are low down its a stick to beat us with!
Comment posted by User0718916576, at 12:45 16 Aug 2018
@100

Sorry that you feel that Scotland, Wales and NI have been left out of this.

The thing is, this is an article regarding how World Cup performances have affected FIFA rankings.

Scotland, Wales and NI did not attend the World Cup finals, so the only effect on their rankings is other teams moving up/down around them.

They are not in the story because they are not part of the story.
Comment posted by Disenchanted, at 13:18 16 Aug 2018
to be honest i always felt that a lot of the criticism leveled at Wayne Rooney was because he was black.... oh hang on!