Spain is not number 1 anymore

FIFA rankings are calculated based on the outcome of the game, importance of the match, strength of the opposition and strength of confederation. Each of these are given a specific weight. But I will not elaborate that one here. I will leave that one to you. After all, the rankings are constantly being updated in the FIFA website. The Oranje (as how team Netherlands is called) simply gained the number 1 spot via Spain's loss to Italy in a friendly match. This is how Netherlands gained the top spot. So effortless, isn't it? A team being ranked as number 1 means that there is a lot of points to lose when it gets beaten. So when Spain lost to Italy, its total points in order to stay on top is now less than Netherlands' points. This allowed the Dutch team to move up one spot higher. It should be noted that friendlies are taken into consideration in the calculation of points. In FIFA, you can't just really play friendly against another team if you want to maintain your standing. Every match counts and a team needs to work hard for it in order to keep the top spot.

That is the funny ways of the rankings system. I think for all concerned Spain is still the best team in the world. Holland, after their antics in the world cup final actually have moved down in my eyes as the best team in the world. So I really do not think the ratings really reflect the right standings. Cheers! Ram

I guess you are talking about the IFFHS statistics, which make this ranking. Well, my answer is simple: Spain has beaten Holland in the World Cup final, so that is what matters. This is only a statistical ranking, which has no real influence on other things. So I guess this is only a ranking which orientates us, but not more.

Well nothing much really spain are still the best team I believe but holland have performed more consistently and better in the friendlies so they have got the No 1

FIFA rankings arent true and they do not reflect the real strength of clubs. Im Egyptian and the Egyptian team has been ranked 10th or 11th in the world sometime between January and March 2011, but that did not mean tht they are REALLY the 10th or 11th in the world. I still see Spain as number one reagrdless of this ranking although it matters wen they r making the qualification stages. In my opinion, Holland does not deserve the first place, but they should be second as they reached world cup finals in 2010.