They are clearly not a true indicator as to whole your coutry stacks up with others.  Why would, for example, Guatemala get more points for beating Angola and Italy get less points for beating Mexico?  Both sets of teams are comperable so why this nonsense?  Get rid of the geographical factors in my opinion, reset the points at the beginning of the WC qualifiers and now we have a better indicator
211577
Simply put, no!\n\nRankings have come to prominence over the last couple of years but no-one really takes them seriously. It's difficult to say that a system that puts the USA in fourth just because they win more games that teams like Italy, England, Ukraine etc, whose qualifying competitions are always much harder due to the depth of European football.
609341
Yes,\n\na team moves up in the rankings due to a formula that takes into account: The result, the number of goals, the match importance (friendly, group stage, knockout stage, final etc.) territory strength. We'll see the effects next month when they update the tables.
215154
I don't think so, because you will never get every team to play every other team. Some countries play 1-2 internationals per year.\n\nIt is a relative ranking system. Thats why sometimes a team ranked 100 might beat a team ranked 20.
558914
it differs from cup to cup, as does the world's country count.  There is no set amount of slots to participate.  any country may participate and the elimination rounds just keep paring them down like any play-off series.
609271
You're partially right. Stats sometimes really don't mean anything in a tournament like the World Cup. But these kind of stats are the short term stats that gauges the teams' performance for only within a year or two. Long term stats tend to be more reliable like the experience and exposure, and the pedigree. Just look at the upcoming semifinals. Even if the other matches aren't over yet, one things for sure, the semi-finals will be played by the so-called "giants" and these result relied on the long term stats acquired through the years since the inception of the World Cup (and to a certain extent, the sport itself).\n\nBut wouldn't that be a nice thing that the sport doesn't rely heavily on stats? That's the true beauty of football! Anything can happen. There's an element of surprise which is a reflection of reality. It gives "minnows" hope and "superpowers" of the sport a thought of caution. Such element make it more abstract and unpredictable which is beautiful. It makes the sport more meaningful to watch and play. Also there's an element to it as if the fates have something to do with the outcome which is out of the hands of the players themselves- the element of the "extraordinary" like a sort of divine intervention. In this sport you have a control of your team's destiny but that control is not 100% complete. The circumstances surrounding you should also go with your way (e.g. referees- they are error prone however "top-level" they might be.\n\nSuch characteristics of this sport makes it truly unique and lovable. \n\n...Again, It doesn't solely rely on stats and you are partly right!
622132
It may be meaningless but is a chance for a country to be united in a celebration; they (and we all) celebrate victories in the world cup because it is a competition against the best 32 teams of the world; if you win a match you CAN say it is meaningless because of the round or the game circumstances but nevertheless it is your country winning against one of the countries that proved to be good enough to qualify. Maybe Germany is not the best team in the world right now but it is their world cup and they should enjoy it as I think they are.
636151
a draw is of consequence only at this group stage where matches are played in a league format, wins score 3 points, a draw 1 point and losses 0. there are no extra times or penalty shootouts to settle the score. \n\ntop two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, where 'draw' results at full time means games are extended to extra time and penalty shootouts if still a stalemate at the end of 30minutes.\n\nthat match was a real hard fought match with italy (3 times world cup winners) being the favorite to win it. USA's first game loss to the Czechs, which also loss to Ghana y'day, means that there is still a chance for the USA to advance. provided that the USA defeats Ghana in its final match and the Czechs lose out to the italians.... the USA may just edge out the Czechs on goal difference..... comprende? HAHAHAHA!!!\n\ncheck out worldcup news and stats at yahoo sports and fifa site\n\nthe WORLD CUP is what it truely is. a true global phenomenon.
3971
AFAIK, it is too early to know that yet. Usually, world cup qualification system is defined after the world cup, so probably it will be set in a year or so. Rumors are that the South American group won't follow the "league" format they had until the past qualification leg (rumors say that they will be splitted in 2 groups), so it is very likely that the Oceanian zone will change their playoff format... and I would say as well that don't expect a direct spot to the WC finals, more likely the playoff format will stay, and don't be surprised if actually they have to play an additional one...
619788
first of all wc06 includes qualification matches..it had penalties in plenty..in wco6FINALS there had been spotkicks .....i think i saw one but i don't remember
661250
Sorry, I don't have the answers to your questions. But I am sooooo tired of all the Italy-bashing. Why is it that when anyone wins last minute they're suddenly cheaters? Whatever ...\n\nWOO HOO ITALIA!!!
650311
The numbers says: Korea needs a draw if Switzerland wins (by a difference at most of 1 goals) or draw against Togo tomorrow. \nBut if Switzerland wins by 2 or more goals difference, then  Korea needs to win, to assure they will pass to the next round, because if France wins against Togo at least with a difference of  2 goals, Korea is OUT.\nAt the end, KOREA NEEDS TO WIN because the points are to close between the teams, if there is a certain combination we could have Korea and TOGO in the next round.\n\nLets check one of the possibility\nLets asume Switzerland wins his match against Togo (1:0), the positions will be:\nKorea 4 points, Switzerland 4 points, France 2 Points, Togo 0 point\nThen:  \n@ Korea needs a draw with Switzerland (0-0). France wins againts Togo (1:0). Korea and France advances because greatest number of goals scored, Korea is the winner of the group for the same reason:\nKorea 5 points (Goals For: 3  Goals Against: 2  Goal Difference: +1) (1 win 2 draw)\nFrance 5 points (GF:2 GA:1 GD:+1) (1 win 2 draw)\nSwitzerland 5 points (GF:1 GA:0 GD:+1) (1 win 2 draw)\nTogo: 0 points (GF:1 GA:4 GD:-3) (0 wins)\n\n@ Korea needs a draw with Switzerland (0-0). France draw againts Togo (0:0). Korea and Switzerland advances with greatest number of points obtained, Korea is the winner of the group because greatest number of goals scored:\nKorea 5 points (Goals For: 3  Goals Against: 2  Goal Difference: +1)  (1 win 2 draws)\nSwitzerland 5 points (GF:1 GA:0 GD:+1) (1 win 2 draws)\nFrance 3 points (GF:1 GA:1 GD:0)  (3 draws)\nTogo: 1 points (GF:1 GA:3 GD:-2) (1 draw)\n\n@ Korea needs a draw with Switzerland (0-0). France loses againts Togo (0:1). Korea and Switzerland advances with greatest number of points obtained, Korea is the winner of the group because greatest number of goals scored:\nKorea 5 points (Goals For: 3  Goals Against: 2  Goal Difference: +1)  (1 win 2 draws)\nSwitzerland 5 points (GF:1 GA:0 GD:+1) (1 win 2 draws)\nTogo: 3 points (GF:2 GA:3 GD:-1) (1 win)\nFrance 2 points (GF:1 GA:2 GD:0)  (2 draws)
583997
there are two further criteria to decide which teams advance in such a situation:\nthe first one is "fair play rate", which is a score which takes into consideration the number of yellow and red cards.\nthe better ranked team advance.\nin case this ranking is tied too, then it is considerd the fifa world cup ranking: the better team advance.\nin the last case a drawn is made
580228
No, It has inspired me, some good games by ghana, costa rica & cote de ivory... really big teams struggled with these guys. good matches, lots of hits and misses happens in all the WC, watch out for some more interesting games, may the best team win.
611381
I take it you mean football? it all depends on which other teams they play against, they could play against so called lowly sides such as those from Eastern Europe or the Middle East, romp home with emphatic victories which would boost their global ranking, if they played the likes of Brazil and France etc... they would end up more like 100th in the world!
573692
All yellow cards are carried over to the next round in the knock-out stages. So iif you get a second YC in the semis, sorry coz you WC campaign is over even if your team goes to the finals.
71142
Good idea! And i have something to add there:\n\nWhat about giving 3 points for an away victory, but just 2 points to a home victory?\n\nTogether with your rule, this would be a break-trough in soccer...\n\nCheers
653356
I found this...\n\nRankings in each group shall be determined as follows:\n(a) Greater number of points in group\n(b) Goal differential in group\n(c) Goals scored in group\n\nIn case of a tie:\n(d) Head-to-head\n(e) Head-to-head goal differential\n(f) Goals scored head-to-head\n(g) Drawn lots\n\nThe top two teams advance to the Round of 16.\n\n\nIt doesnt make much sense to me but i hope it does to you :)