Are the Fifa world rankings any good at all?
830509
No, they are rubbish. How can Guinea be in the top 30?
375380
YES Check it out.\n\nhttp://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/e/ff/index.html
1000375
1. Despite the FIFA World Rankings there's no way the U.S. is the 5th best team in the world.  Being ranked that high has probably upped expectations beyond where they should be.  In a group with Italy and the Czech Republic it would be an upset for the U.S. to go through to the next round.\n\n2. As for the rest of your question, unfortunately what many pro sports stars in the U.S. have in abundance, selfishness and arrogance, doesn't lend itself to success in team sports.  So it's no wonder they've done so poorly in international competitions lately.
523532
It is Brazil who made the no. 1 in FIFA ranking as their own property for quite a few years by now.\n\nCurrent top contenders are Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Italy. Holland could be the dark horse of the tournament.\n\nAny of the above countries could win the world cup 2006.   \n\nIf Wayne Rooney becomes match fit to play, England should be considered as a top contender too.
797145
england are NOT the best team in the world on paper, they're just quite good. world rankings mean sweet f.a. sorry guys - the USA was 4th going in to the world cup. england haven't beaten a big side in a competitive game in years - i think the last one that could be considered a 'big' side would be argentina in 2002 - and that was in the group stage, against an admittedly poor argentina side, from a spot kick. come on people! just admit england are sh.it\n\nteams that could win:\nportugal\ngermany\nspain\nitaly (but i wouldn't bank on it)
395224
Short answer is because they are doing well on points. \nObjectively I think it is unrealistic to see the US as the 4th in the world.  However It cannot be argued they are doing well.\nHowever FIFA have a point system.  They accept is is flawed but it would be incredibly difficult and complex to make a system which truly represented the strength of teams.  However it is also imposable to have a person or team able to objectively rank teams.\nSo what can you do?\n\nThe link below takes you to the part of the FIFA site which explains how their point system works.
1082806
There is an Official World Cup Ranking where Teams get ranked according to their performances in the Cup. (Stage reached, wins, losses,draws, goals scored and conceded).\nWhile this list is not the official World Ranking it does have a bearing on the overall list. For example Australia's performance will mean a dramatic rise in ranking but they may not be in World top 16.
1000461
It is the biggest single sport event in the world. It will be viewed by billions. FIFA world cup is for the best Football(aka Soccer to us Japanese, Americans, and Canadians)\n\nThe Brazilians are ranked #1 with the best players in the world but nothing is guaranteed.\n\n1  Brazil  \n2  Czech Republic  \n3  Netherlands  \n4  Mexico \n5  USA  tied with Spain\n5  Spain  \n7  Portugal  \n8  France\n9  Argentina\n10 England
993910
Sorry but hell no! \nI don't even understand how they got that weird ranking of 5th in the world.\nThey havee not played anyone really big before the World Cup that would place the so high.\n\nSorry but no way are they going to win against Italy.
1187061
Course the high ranking given to them by FIFA... and why not? anything is possible.
1177399
Yes, Go to www.Fifa.com you will see reports.
1099780
This is the rankings as they are now, direct from FIFA website: http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/index/0,2548,All-May-2006,00.html\n\nThis website explains ranking system: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Rankings
1159421
According to FIFA (The governing body of Pro Soccer) Argentina is the 4th best team in the world. Germany is ranked 22nd. Try not to read too deep into these ranks though. The USA was suppossed to be #5 and failed to freach the last 16.
441619
someone said the USA won't make it past Italy. why not? hello, US IS RANKED *4TH* IN THE WORLD! ITALY ISN'T EVEN IN THE TOP 10!! they're 14th!!! what an idiot. just another US basher. of course they have a chance!\n\n\nFIFA World Rankings as of April 2006\n1  Brazil\n2  Czech Rep.\n3  Netherlands\n4  USA\n5  Spain\n6  Mexico\n7  France\n8  Portugal\n8  Argentina  \n10  England  \n11  Denmark \n12  Nigeria  \n13  Turkey \n14  Italy \n15  Cameroon \n16  Sweden\n17  Japan\n18  Egypt \n19  (tie) Greece & Germany
655884
fifa.com and go to rankings
1027681
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.
1140238
It depends\nBut to me England and Germany are both good.