England reach highest placing in Fifa ranking

[oldironside]

"England have climbed to fourth in FIFA's latest world rankings - equalling their highest placing - despite their poor run of form in recent competitive matches.

Fabio Capello's team have moved above Brazil and Argentina in the rankings, updated today, despite only reaching the last 16 in last summer's World Cup, and failing to win two of their last three qualifying matches for next summer's European Championships. "

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/england-reach-highest-placing-in-fifa-ranking-2304229.html

Err, did I sleep through a major tournament? Last thing I remember, we were shite.

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Hard to believe we'd be slight favourites in a match against Brazil

I think their ranking system can't take enough account of the quality of the opposition. We may have won most of our qualifying matches for Euro 2012, but in a group with Montenegro, Bulgaria, Switzerland and Wales that's hardly surprising.

[oldironside]

2. Given that FIFA are in charge...

... it's a question of incompetence against corruption.

Having watched England play Switzerland (and breaking my own rule about watching England play in public) I can't believe we are in the top 20, never mind fourth.