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By AVI CREDITOR
The United States stayed put at No. 18 in the monthy FIFA world rankings, maintaining its position as the highest-ranked team in CONCACAF. Mexico (27), Honduras (39) and Costa Rica (48) are the other CONCACAF teams among the Top 50.
There was no movement among the top nine teams, as World Cup champion Spain is still atop the rankings, followed by the Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, England, Uruguay, Portugal and Croatia, respectively. Egypt plummeted from 10 to 33, since it has been more than a year since its victory in the African Cup of Nations, which is no longer weighted as heavily. Greece slotted up one spot to round out the Top 10.
Japan, fresh off its victory at the Asian Cup, moved up 12 spots to No. 17, and 2022 World Cup host Qatar vaulted from 105 to 90.
Here are a few more stories to kick off your Wednesday:
MUNICH, DUTCH FIND ROBBEN SOLUTION
After their long-running dispute about star winger Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich and the Netherlands have agreed to play a friendly next year to put the past behind them.
Robben, who was injured prior to the World Cup but played in the knockout stages regardless, had to miss about the first half of Bayern Munich's club season after further injuring himself in South Africa. The club had sought financial compensation from the Dutch FA, but instead, the club and country will square off at Allianz Arena in Munich in May of 2012.
SPURS' MODRIC OUT
Tottenham, already a bit shorthanded because of injuries, will be without midfielder Luka Modric for the next couple of weeks after the in-form Croatian had to have an appendectomy.
If his recovery timetable stays true, Modric could miss the first leg of Tottenham's UEFA Champions League knockout tie with AC Milan in addition to league matches against Blackburn, Bolton and Sunderland.
TORRES TO DEBUT VS REDS
Fernando Torres is set to make his Chelsea debut this weekend when the Blues face his former team, Liverpool.
After making a record transfer from Anfield to Stamford Bridge, Torres will seemingly get the opportunity to punish the Reds sooner rather than later. Should he pass a fitness test on Wednesday, he'll be included in Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the game.
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What do you think about the latest FIFA rankings? Amused by Bayern Munich and the Netherlands' compromise? Do you see Tottenham fading with Modric out? How many goals do you see Torres scoring against Liverpool this weekend?
Share your thoughts below.
No, but they’ve gone unbeaten in Euro 2012 qualifying, including a win over Portugal. In the last year, they also have wins in friendlies over France and ireland.
Norway’s up there huh? Did they bring back Tore André Flo?!
Hah.
Why does Dempsey always have a black eye ?????
Get me re-write! “Unmoved” means unaffected, i.e., having no emotional reaction.
Unless the MNT were all interviewed and shrugged their shoulders.
I still remember when the US and Mexico were among the top 5 teams. I think they changed the formula but I still think is hilarious.
How the hell is Greece 10. The USMNT could easily defeat Greece anytime, anywhere, anyplace. i’m not saying Greece is a bad team, all I’m saying is they are rank extremely higher than other nations like ours.
They earned points through winning and drawing matches, just like every single other nation in the rankings. It’s not like there are people voting on these rankings, it’s a mathematical formula. Based on the formula, everyone deserves to be exactly where they are. If you want to take issue with that formula, make your own.
Norway had a good qualifying run and has since done well if I’m not mistaken. Folks tend to forget, these ratings aren’t “of the moment” but can go back years.
Modric and Huddlestone are completely different players – one can never replace the other. Spurs has many replacements to stuff in the middle, but at that level you need players who’ll win you games.
I say you see a 4-4-2 with Van Der Vaart moving back into midfield, Palacios in to sure-up defense and a tandem of Pav and Defoe up top.
He will probably have stubbed his toe by then and be out for three months.
18 sounds high but about right for the US.. and Mexico is seriously underrated.
still amazed at Greece and Norway (10,11).. they must still be counting the Euro ’04 results for Greece at least.. don’t know what Norway has done in the past decade.
So which team does Robben play for in this friendly?
lol, greece and egypt
I believe every goal they scored was by a naturalized citizen. Just wait for their 2022 roster. I’ll be surprised if a single player was born in the country.
If they had gone unbeaten in qualifying, that is. Because they didn’t fool.
They made it to the Quarterfinal and lost to Japan 3-2. Not bad for a team ranked 105 before the new ranking.
Qatar up 15 to 90. The fix is in.
18 is still too high considering our defensive issues and lack of a scoring threat at striker, but the rankings really mean nothing at this point anyway. We’ll know more after the Gold Cup
So who does De Jong injure in that friendly?
Going undefeated in WCQ really helps that.
Whoops, looks like Huddlestone is NOT back.
I wonder the same thing.
Modric has been great lately, but with Huddlestone back I don’t think Spurs are in too much trouble.
Seriously – after not qualifying for Euro ’08, and finishing behind us in Group Play in WC, what has England really done to deserve that lofty ranking?
Are you guys doing anything for signing day?