June was one exciting month of international football. World Cup qualifiers and Confederations Cup shook up the FIFA and World Cup Buzz World Rankings. Spain's time as the Number 1 team in the world is at an end although the European champions haven't fallen out of the Top 5 and should still be considered a strong favorite in South Africa 2010. So let's unveil the new rankings.

As you might expect there was much movement on both FIFA's and World Cup Buzz's World Rankings. In the WCB Rankings, the United States moved up five places from last month's rankings. The move from 15th to 10th was entirely based on their amazing performance at the FIFA Confederations Cup.

4 nations make their debut in the World Cup Buzz World Rankings. Ghana debuts at #12 after winning twice on the road in African World Cup qualifying. The Black Stars are dominating Group D and are a lock to make South Africa 2010.

Russia debuts in the World Cup Buzz World Rankings at #7. The Russians crushed Finland 3-0 on the road in Helsinki and sit just 1 point behind Germany in Group 4 of European World Cup qualifying. The Russians have quietly become one of the most impressive teams in Europe.

Denmark also steps into the World Cup Buzz World Rankings at #15 after their tough 1-0 road win versus Sweden. The Danes lead Group 1 of UEFA World Cup qualifying, a group that features traditional European powers: Sweden & Portugal.

The other newcomer to the World Cup Buzz World Rankings is Chile, making their debut at #11. The Chileans romped over Bolivia at home 4-0 and beat Paraguay 2-0 on the road. Chile are in 2nd place in South American World Cup qualifying just 1 point behind leaders Brazil.

Paraguay, Egypt, Turkey, and Cameroon all dropped from the WCB Top 15 due to disappointing performances or in the case of Turkey, no activity. There they are the rankings of the best teams in the world. Let us know what you think.

Related posts:

1. World Football National Team Rankings: June 2009 With World Cup qualifiers on the horizon FIFA has released...
2. World Football National Team Rankings — November It is time for another WCB Rankings, this time for...
3. World Football National Team Rankings: May 2009 Ladies & Gentlemen, its time once again for the World...

With World Cup qualifiers on the horizon FIFA has released its world rankings and that means World Cup Buzz released their own rankings as well. The big news was Netherlands now in pursuit of top-ranked Spain after the Dutch leapfrogged over Germany into the #2 spot. The WCB Rankings had the Dutch ahead of Germany since the April 2009 rankings.

The Dutch have dominated Group 9 in UEFA qualifying with a perfect 5-0-0 record and can become the 1st European side to make reservations for South Africa with a victory over Iceland. The #2 spot in FIFA's Rankings is the highest for the Oranje since the September of 2005. For the past seven years La Naranja Mecanica have remained top ten in the FIFA rankings.

Since the last FIFA/WCB Rankings, there were 21 international friendly matches and only three of them involved teams in the World Cup Buzz Rankings. Argentina crushed Panama 3-1 at home, Germany drew 1-1 in Shanghai against China, and Egypt beat Oman 1-0 on the road. Those results weren't enough to change the WCB Rankings from last month.

Here they are the new FIFA & World Cup Buzz World Rankings:

Related posts:

1. World Football National Team Rankings — January 2009 The dawn of a new year and while the year...
2. World Football National Team Rankings: May 2009 Ladies & Gentlemen, its time once again for the World...
3. World Football National Team Rankings: July 2009 June was one exciting month of international football. World Cup...

Ladies & Gentlemen, its time once again for the World Cup Buzz Rankings for May 2009. Not much action took place between the last of the World Cup qualifiers in April and the release of the new FIFA Rankings. So there isn't much change in the World Cup Buzz Rankings. The only change from last month was Australia & Turkey switching spots. I had to show love to the Socceroos. Take a look at the rankings for May 2009.

There they go, take a look at them side by side and let us know what you think.

Related posts:

1. World Football National Team Rankings: April 2009 Its now time for the April 2009 edition of World...
2. World Football National Team Rankings: June 2009 With World Cup qualifiers on the horizon FIFA has released...
3. World Football National Team Rankings: July 2009 June was one exciting month of international football. World Cup...

Its now time for the April 2009 edition of World Cup Buzz Rankings.  As you know a bunch of World Cup qualifiers were played and teams moved closer towards securing a place in South Africa 2010.  For sure some teams will move up the WCB Rankings and some will move down or out so let's see who they will be.

FIFA Top 15                                                           WCB Top 15
1. Spain                                                                 1. Spain
2. Germany                                                             2. Brazil
3. Netherlands                                                         3. Netherlands
4. Brazil                                                                  4. Germany
5. Italy                                                                   5. Paraguay
6. Argentina                                                            6. Italy
7. England                                                              7. England
8. Croatia                                                               8. Argentina
9. Russia                                                                9. Cote D’Ivoire
10. France                                                              10. Croatia
11. Portugal                                                            11. Egypt
12. Czech Republic                                                   12. Turkey
13. Greece                                                              13. Australia
14. Turkey                                                              14. Cameroon
15. USA                                                                  15. USA

Looking at the new rankings for April there are definitely some changes compared to last month's rankings.  The biggest drop came from Egypt who dropped 5 places from 6th last month to 11th this month.  The drop is due to The Pharaohs disappointing home 1-1 draw against Zambia.  Cameroon also dropped 5 places after their 1-0 loss to Togo.  Argentina suffered a big drop as well, 4 places from 4th place last month to 8th place this month.  Los Albicelestes suffered an embarrassing 6-1 loss to Bolivia in La Paz and barely stayed in the WCB Top 10.

The biggest risers for April was Cote D’Ivoire.  Les Éléphants jumped 6 places into the Top 10 from 15th last month to 9th place this month. Cote D’Ivoire destroyed Malawi 5-0 as they were expected to do.  They were the only African side who played up to expectations.

Rising into the World Cup Buzz Top 15 are a couple of teams from previously unrepresented confederations.  Australia is in at 13th place after their 2-0 win over Uzbekistan pretty much clinched their place as an Asian representative in South Africa 2010.  The United States comes in at 15th as they moved to the top of CONCACAF standings with a 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago and a heart testing 2-2 comeback draw on the road versus El Salvador.

There it is, the new World Cup Buzz Top 15.  Agree or disagree.  Let us know what you think.

Related posts:

1. World Football National Team Rankings — January 2009 The dawn of a new year and while the year...
2. World Football National Team Rankings — March 2009 Another month has passed and its time for the World...
3. World Football National Team Rankings: May 2009 Ladies & Gentlemen, its time once again for the World...

Another month has passed and its time for the World Cup Buzz World Football Rankings. Later this month World Cup qualifying will resume in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and CONCACAF. Since the last FIFA date of February 11 & 12, its been pretty quiet on the national team front so there won't be many changes to the WCB Top 15 but wait till the last two weeks of the month when all kinds of chaos will break out. Here are the latest rankings from FIFA & World Cup Buzz:

FIFA Top 15                                              WCB Top 15
1. Spain                                                    1. Spain
2. Germany                                                2. Paraguay
3. Netherlands                                           3. Brazil
4. Italy                                                      4. Argentina
5. Brazil                                                     5. Germany
6. Argentina                                               6. Egypt
7. Croatia                                                  7. Netherlands
8. Russia                                                    8. Italy
9. England                                                  9. Cameroon
10. Portugal                                                10. England
11. Turkey                                                  11. Turkey
12. France                                                  12. Russia
13. Czech Republic                                      13. Nigeria
14. Ukraine                                                 14. Croatia
15. Paraguay                                               15. Cote D’Ivoire

Feel free to let us know if your nation is too low, too high or should be represented in the WCB Top 15.

Related posts:

1. World Football National Team Rankings — January 2009 The dawn of a new year and while the year...
2. World Football National Team Rankings: April 2009 Its now time for the April 2009 edition of World...
3. World Football National Team Rankings FIFA is an esteemed organization whose policies and activities usually...

Finally after months of no matches, February brings forth friendlies and World Cup qualifiers to help set our rankings for the Top 15 national teams in the world.  2009 will see much movement up & down the rankings because of all the international matches that will be played.  So here they are both the FIFA Rankings & World Cup Buzz Rankings:

FIFA Top 15                                                           WCB Top 15
1. Spain                                                                    1. Spain
2. Germany                                                            2. Paraguay
3. Netherlands                                                      3. Brazil
4. Italy                                                                     4. Argentina
5. Brazil                                                                    5. Germany
6. Argentina                                                           6. Egypt
7. Croatia                                                                7. Netherlands
8. England                                                                8. Italy
9. Russia                                                                  9. Cameroon
10. Turkey                                                               10. England
11. France                                                                11. Turkey
12. Portugal                                                            12. Russia
12. Czech Republic                                               13. Nigeria
14. Ukraine                                                              14. Croatia
15. Paraguay                                                           15. Cote D'Ivoire

The biggest drop from last month's WCB Rankings happened to England after they fell 5 spots from 5th to 10th after their flavorless performance in a 2-0 defeat to Spain.  Germany slid from 2nd to 5th after they were beaten by Norway 1-0 and Holland slipped from 4th to 7th after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Tunisia.

Brazil were high risers in the standings when they moved from 8th to 3rd after their impressive 2-0 win over World Champion Italy in London.  The other high riser was Argentina, Los Albicelestes vaulted 6 spots from 10th to 4th with their 2-0 road win over France in Marseille. 

Croatia sneaks back in at #14 after beating an always tough Romania 2-1 on the road.  There it is the World Cup Buzz Rankings for February 2009.  In March, World Cup qualifying will be in full swing for every confederation so don't be surprised if the rankings change again. 

Don't be afraid to express yourself about the WCB Rankings.  Tell us what you think.

Related posts:

1. World Football National Team Rankings — March 2009 Another month has passed and its time for the World...
2. World Football National Team Rankings — January 2009 The dawn of a new year and while the year...
3. World Football National Team Rankings: April 2009 Its now time for the April 2009 edition of World...

The dawn of a new year and while the year has changed the rankings for us here at World Cup Buzz haven't. Mainly because of the inactivity of December. Nevertheless, the promise was made that every month we would bring you our Top 15 national teams, so we will begin the new year at the same spot we left the old year. Spain is clearly number 1 and the rest will have a whole year to overthrow the Spaniards from their lofty perch.

FIFA Top 15                                                                      WCB Rankings
1. Spain                                                                               1. Spain
2. Germany                                                                        2. Germany
3. Netherlands                                                                   3. Paraguay
4. Italy                                                                                4. Netherlands
5. Brazil                                                                               5. England
6. Argentina                                                                       6. Egypt
7. Croatia                                                                            7. Italy
8. England                                                                          8. Brazil
9. Russia                                                                             9. Cameroon
10. Turkey                                                                         10. Argentina
11. France                                                                          11. Turkey
11. Portugal                                                                       12. Russia
11. Czech Republic                                                            13. Nigeria
14. Cameroon                                                                    14. Denmark
15. Egypt                                                                            15. Cote D’ Ivoire

Guarantee that once World Cup qualifying starts up again, teams will slide up & down and in & out of both FIFA and our rankings. Hopefully a CONCACAF & Asian team will break into the rankings to give the table more variety. Whatever happens, the year before the World Cup will be dramatic.

Related posts:

1. World Football National Team Rankings — March 2009 Another month has passed and its time for the World...
2. World Football National Team Rankings — December We end the year with some familiar faces in the...
3. World Football National Team Rankings FIFA is an esteemed organization whose policies and activities usually...

We end the year with some familiar faces in the WCB Rankings. No surprise that Spain will end at number 1 considering that they are the best team in Europe and have been dominant in World Cup Qualifying. There will be little if any movement for December considering that there were few competitive international matches during November. So let’s make it official with the final rankings of 2008.

FIFA Top 15                                               WCB Rankings

1.  Spain                                                       1. Spain

2.  Germany                                               2. Germany

3.  Netherlands                                          3. Paraguay

4.  Italy                                                       4. Netherlands

5.  Brazil                                                     5. England

6.  Argentina                                             6. Egypt

7.  Croatia                                                  7. Italy

8.  England                                                8. Brazil

9.  Russia                                                   9. Cameroon

10.  Turkey                                               10. Argentina

11.  France                                                 11. Turkey

11.  Portugal                                              12. Russia

11.  Czech Republic                                   13. Nigeria

14.  Cameroon                                            14. Denmark

15.  Ukraine                                                15. Cote D’ Ivoire

There are a few teams who could crack the WCB Rankings in 2009. In Europe, France & Portugal still have the talent to break into the WCB Rankings but must string together some winning performances in order to make the list. Look out for a CONCACAF team as well, the best candidates are the U.S., Mexico, and Honduras. Asia is looking good with Australia and Japan both undefeated in their final stage group. Ghana could be the fast mover especially when Michael Essien gets back to full strength. Lastly, BIG UP! to the Reggae Boyz for their coronation as Caribbean champions. They defeated a surprising Grenada squad 2-0 in the final with Luton Shelton putting away 2 PKs to seal the win for the Jamaicans.

Happy Holidays everyone and look out for the 1st WCB Rankings for 2009. We're just 1 year away for the South Africa 2010. Its gonna be FYAH!

Related posts:

1. World Football National Team Rankings — January 2009 The dawn of a new year and while the year...
2. World Football National Team Rankings FIFA is an esteemed organization whose policies and activities usually...
3. World Football National Team Rankings — March 2009 Another month has passed and its time for the World...

It is time for another WCB Rankings, this time for November.   October was an intense month in World Cup qualifying, Africa finalized its groups for its last stage of qualifying, CONCACAF could see a surprise or two as the hexagonal final stage is almost set.  Europe & South America continue their grind toward qualification and Asia is quietly separating its top teams so without further wait, along side the recently released FIFA Rankings, here are the new WCB Rankings.

There weren’t too many changes in the WCB Rankings from last month’s rankings.  There are two newcomers to the WCB list as the African champions Egypt debuted in the Top 10 at number 6 after impressively advancing to the final stage of African World Cup Qualifying and Denmark get in at #14 as they lead a group featuring Sweden and Portugal and don’t forget that they beat Portugal in Lisbon.  The additions of Denmark and Egypt mean that Portugal and Greece had to go.  Portugal fell off the WCB Rankings after 2 disappointing 0-0 draws vs. Sweden & Albania.  As for Greece, they lost their perfect record when they lost 2-1 to Switzerland at home.  Next month another WCB Rankings will come out and you never know who will be in or out.  Isn’t this FUN!

Related posts:

1. World Football National Team Rankings: July 2009 June was one exciting month of international football. World Cup...
2. World Football National Team Rankings — January 2009 The dawn of a new year and while the year...
3. World Football National Team Rankings — December We end the year with some familiar faces in the...

FIFA is an esteemed organization whose policies and activities usually meet with a 90+ percent approval rating but there is one FIFA activity that usually makes me scratch the itchy scalp beneath my baby fro.  That one thing is the FIFA Ranking Table.  Teams are ranked ahead of other teams that have no reason to be. 

I understand that FIFA has to put in order about 200 nations so it is a difficult task but at least they can get the Top 15 right.  With that said every month, there will be a new Top 15 ranking put out by World Cup Buzz to better represent rankings of the world's teams based on recent performances and current standings.

So the FIFA rankings will be next to WCB rankings for you to compare & contrast.

FIFA Top 15                                                                   WCB Rankings

1. Spain                                                                         1.  Spain
2. Italy                                                                          2.  Germany
3. Germany                                                                  3.  Paraguay
4. Brazil                                                                         4.  Netherlands
5. Netherlands                                                             5.  England
6. Croatia                                                                      6.  Cameroon
7. Argentina                                                                 7.  Italy
8. Czech Republic                                                        8.  Brazil
9. Russia                                                                       9.  Turkey
10. Portugal                                                                 10.  Argentina
11. France                                                                    11.  Greece
12. Cameroon                                                              12.  Nigeria
13. Turkey                                                                   13.  Portugal
14. England                                                                  14.  Russia
15. Bulgaria                                                                  15.  Cote D'Ivoire

Notice no France, Croatia, Czech Republic,  in the WCB Standings.  You can not lose to Austria 3-1, or lose 4-1 at home to a team you knocked out of the Euros a few months earlier, or get a scorelss draw to Northern Ireland and expect to be in the WCB Rankings.  Go ahead and poke holes in the WCB Rankings, its what makes blogging fun. 

Related posts:

1. World Football National Team Rankings — January 2009 The dawn of a new year and while the year...
2. World Football National Team Rankings — March 2009 Another month has passed and its time for the World...
3. World Football National Team Rankings — December We end the year with some familiar faces in the...