Power Ranking Every National Team in World Football After World Cup Qualifiers

For the past week, international football has taken center stage with tons of World Cup qualifiers bringing every nation closer to realizing their places in Brazil.

While club football is retaking its place at the front of every supporter's mind this weekend, the performances of many teams have caught the attention of many fans and inspired them to dream of the possibilities in Brazil.

With so many changes taking place on the international stage, though, it is tough to keep track of every nation's standing in the pantheon of world football.

Thus, it seems to be a perfect time to update the international rankings.

So where does your favorite team rank amongst the world's 209 national teams?

Here are the latest Wagner World Rankings.

Methodology

If you are new to these rankings and this system, it is based on a procedure that is purely mathematical.

To begin with, every match from the last four years is assigned a value based on its importance. For example, the World Cup Final is given more value than a random friendly.

The four-year window seems to be the perfect amount of time—a shorter period gives too small a sample size and a larger one would likely represent a different side.

After every match is given a value and compiled, each team is assigned a value for every match based on four factors:

• The result of the match
• Whether the match was home, away or at a neutral venue
• How strong the opposition was
• How recently the match was played

Finally, factoring in any matches a team missed out on (i.e. World Cup final matches they didn't qualify for) and giving every continental tournament a new weight produces a score out of 1,000 points.

Every team is then ranked based on these points.

One should note that this does not produce a ranking based on form alone.

As a result, many teams may seem higher or lower in the rankings than one might expect because of drastic changes in form over relatively-short periods of time.

For example, performing well over a year may push a team up the table quickly, but relatively-awful performances over the three years prior could hold the team back for a little while.

Hence, it allows a ranking that factors in both form and consistency, a quality that is highly undervalued.

So, without further ado, here are the latest rankings.

209-181

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
209		Turks and Caicos Islands	0.16
208		Bhutan	1.31
207		San Marino	5.26
206		South Sudan	5.76
205		Djibouti	7.59
204		Montserrat	8.47
203		Anguilla	11.15
202		Cook Islands	14.38
201		Somalia	14.48
200		British Virgin Islands	14.48
199		Eritrea	14.94
198		Brunei	17.25
197		Tonga	20.12
196		Seychelles	20.38
195		Macau	20.47
194		Papua New Guinea	20.76
193		American Samoa	21.19
192		Mauritania	24.06
191		Cayman Islands	24.86
190		Bahamas	26.07
189		Comoros	26.16
188		US Virgin Islands	27.97
187		Timor-Leste	28.06
186		Samoa	28.27
185		Mauritius	29.18
184		Sao Tome e Principe	29.52
183		Madagascar	31.41
182		Mongolia	32.24
181		Aruba	33.19

Analysis

This lowest group in the world has just about no changes over the past month.

This is because of the high volume of World Cup qualifying matches, a tournament all of these teams have been eliminated from for quite some time.

Perhaps the two most interesting cases here are that of San Marino, who is still duking it out with the likes of England in Europe's World Cup qualifying process, and the Bahamas, who are actually undefeated over the past four years (though they've played just two matches, each with the Turks and Caicos Islands).

Other than that, nothing interesting going on here.

180-151

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
180		Swaziland	36.08
179		Dominica	37.22
178		Fiji	37.95
177		Vanuatu	38.23
176		Guam	38.71
175		Guinea-Bissau	38.81
174		Barbados	42.33
173		Kyrgyzstan	44.85
172		St Lucia	45.75
171		Cambodia	46.38
170		Chad	47.10
169		Sri Lanka	54.43
168		Bermuda	57.55
167		Gambia	62.88
166		Curacao	62.89
165		Laos	67.26
164		Nicaragua	67.73
163		Chinese Taipei	68.99
162		Pakistan	72.86
161		St Kitts and Nevis	73.15
160		Suriname	73.36
159		Grenada	76.44
158		Lesotho	77.36
157		Andorra	78.70
156		Central African Republic	79.82
155		St Vincent and the Grenadines	80.62
154		Puerto Rico	80.65
153		Burundi	80.86
152		Solomon Islands	82.16
151		Bangladesh	84.09

Analysis

The big mover in this group of nations is Andorra, who fell many spots.

The fall is a bit unfortunate as they put together a (relatively) decent performance at home to Netherlands in a 2-0 defeat. However, their inevitable elimination from World Cup contention has them falling and probably headed toward the bottom of the rankings.

Another interesting nation here is the Central African Republic, who have been moving up with some good results in qualifying. However, their inactivity prior to late 2010 is still holding the Africans back.

150-121

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
150		Equatorial Guinea	88.48
149		Yemen	89.41
148		Hong Kong	89.97
147		Liberia	90.08
146		Myanmar	90.35
145		Nepal	91.99
144		Belize	94.05
143		Afghanistan	92.46
142		Turkmenistan	95.49
141		Maldives	96.44
140		Benin	97.05
139		Faroe Islands	100.08
138		Sierra Leone	103.52
137		Rwanda	103.73
136		Namibia	104.31
135		Dominican Republic	104.52
134		Cuba	105.79
133		Congo	107.83
132		Guyana	108.32
131		Tajikistan	109.73
130		India	112.99
129		Vietnam	114.77
128		Malaysia	115.53
127		Indonesia	115.89
126		Liechtenstein	116.73
125		Haiti	117.10
124		Palestine	118.62
123		Niger	118.76
122		Antigua and Barbuda	121.31
121		Malta	123.19

Analysis

By far the most fascinating team in this group is the Republic of the Congo.

Congo pushed Burkina Faso to the limit in this past round of the World Cup, but their failure to secure a win over Niger in their final match allowed Burkina Faso to overtake them in the group and eliminate them from contention.

After an appeal to FIFA was rejected, Congo's ranking fell quite a bit.

One shouldn't feel too sorry for the Congolese team, though, as they were only in position to win the group thanks to a few forfeited matches in the group.

120-91

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
120		Zimbabwe	123.95
119		Guinea	124.34
118		Mozambique	125.18
117		Singapore	127.95
116		Botswana	128.69
115		Kenya	129.15
114		Cyprus	130.59
113		Syria	131.03
112		Luxembourg	134.61
111		Malawi	135.29
110		Sudan	135.74
109		Trinidad and Tobago	139.03
108		Kazakhstan	139.14
107		Gabon	144.61
106		Libya	145.13
105		Philippines	145.94
104		Togo	149.15
103		Thailand	149.36
102		Tanzania	152.33
101		Cape Verde Islands	153.96
100		Moldova	154.80
99		Northern Ireland	158.18
98		Lebanon	158.51
97		DR Congo	159.26
96		Tahiti	160.70
95		Uganda	161.16
94		El Salvador	163.32
93		Lithuania	165.99
92		Canada	169.49
91		Wales	170.06

Analysis

This group of teams has gone through some turmoil over the past few months, as an influx of teams eliminated from World Cup contention has pushed many nations down into this region and forced others up out of it.

An interesting team in this group is the Cape Verde Islands, who seemed to earn qualification to the next round of African qualifying with a win over Tunisia this past week.

However, FIFA's decision to reverse the result eliminated Cape Verde and pushed them down in these rankings.

That's a rough outcome from what seems to have been a clerical error.

90-61

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
90		Latvia	172.00
89		Guatemala	173.49
88		Saudi Arabia	174.83
87		Angola	175.29
86		Azerbaijan	177.84
85		Georgia	181.56
84		Macedonia	182.06
83		Bahrain	183.54
82		North Korea	185.38
81		Morocco	186.54
80		Estonia	188.08
79		United Arab Emirates	188.60
78		Bolivia	192.48
77		Scotland	192.77
76		Belarus	196.35
75		China	201.83
74		Qatar	202.94
73		South Africa	203.75
72		Kuwait	204.09
71		Oman	205.04
70		Finland	214.21
69		Slovakia	214.31
68		Mali	221.36
67		Iraq	223.39
66		Serbia	223.46
65		Zambia	229.39
64		New Caledonia	233.51
63		Peru	237.84
62		Senegal	238.14
61		Uzbekistan	246.64

Analysis

This is a very interesting group filled with different types of national teams.

The likes of Uzbekistan, Peru, Zambia and Serbia represent teams that have been eliminated from World Cup qualifying but have gathered hope through their unsuccessful campaigns.

Meanwhile, Senegal is a team that still has hopes of qualifying for Brazil yet has had a disappointing four years other than this campaign.

60-31

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
60		Paraguay	250.33
59		Cameroon	258.64
58		Ethiopia	273.54
57		Iceland	301.49
56		Egypt	302.47
55		Jamaica	302.65
54		New Zealand	303.88
53		Albania	316.77
52		Tunisia	324.95
51		Algeria	326.12
50		Armenia	332.58
49		Bulgaria	334.08
48		Israel	355.39
47		Honduras	360.05
46		Norway	363.98
45		Austria	365.19
44		Montenegro	369.39
43		Burkina Faso	376.65
42		Turkey	377.78
41		Slovenia	378.64
40		Jordan	379.79
39		Hungary	383.07
38		Romania	383.40
37		Venezuela	390.57
36		Panama	393.66
35		Poland	395.12
34		Costa Rica	396.21
33		Rep Ireland	404.01
32		Czech Rep	415.95
31		Ukraine	425.24

Analysis

Most of this group of nations is a group of teams on the bubble of the World Cup, looking to overcome the odds and work their way to Brazil.

The team with the clearest path to the final tournament is clearly Honduras, as they currently sit in prime position in the hexagonal and are a good result away from booking their tickets to Rio.

Meanwhile, England's chief rivals all sit in these spots, hoping to work their way past them.

Of course, Costa Rica has already qualified for Brazil. At 34, the Costa Ricans are the lowest ranked team of the 10 teams already to have a place assured in the tournament.

30-21

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
30		Bosnia-Herzegovina	426.35
29		Denmark	427.16
28		Iran	430.69
27		Ecuador	430.82
26		Switzerland	434.56
25		Mexico	442.50
24		Nigeria	444.51
23		South Korea	445.66
22		Belgium	451.93
21		Ghana	452.07

Analysis

Some big changes have really shook up this group.

Bosnia-Herzegovina's friendly loss to the USA and World Cup qualifying loss at home to Slovakia really hurt them, as they allowed Greece to regain life in their qualifying group.

As a result of this return in inconsistency, the Bosnians moved down a bit. Should they hold on to qualify for the World Cup next month, though, a steep rise will be awaiting them.

Denmark are having some trouble in their qualifying group but have a good opportunity to get to the playoff round in their attempt to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup.

Iran and South Korea already have a place in Brazil locked up and are merely looking to keep form heading into next summer.

Ecuador's struggles away from home are reaching ludicrous levels, as they now face an important battle with Uruguay to qualify.

Mexico's terrible struggles have seen them fall nine spots in just a month, while Nigeria and Ghana have held firm in their group victories.

While Belgium's place isn't quite as high as one might expect, they have only reached their top form over the past year. They have moved four spots up in just a month and will soon rise even higher when they officially clinch their qualifying group past Croatia.

20-11

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
20		Australia	456.48
19		Greece	456.89
18		Ivory Coast	458.35
17		Japan	465.28
16		Colombia	465.57
15		France	465.90
14		USA	467.45
13		Sweden	468.12
12		Russia	469.16
11		Chile	469.67

Analysis

Chile's incredible run of form has them flying high and on the cusp of a top 10 place.

Meanwhile, Russia's formerly-impenetrable place at 11 has been usurped after the Russians had a bad loss to Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifiers.

Down the group, the only other meaningful move is the USA, who moved up four spots thanks to a big win in Mexico and the qualification that came with it.

Really, though, these teams are separated by next to nothing, as the 13-point difference between 20 and 11 is less than the difference between some consecutive rankings.

10. Croatia

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
10		Croatia	473.25

Analysis

After a 1-1 draw with Serbia in World Cup qualifying, Croatia's place in the top 10 looks in some jeopardy.

The Croatians will surely need to go through a playoff to find a way to Brazil, as Belgium's lead is nearly insurmountable.

However, they have kept their place in the top 10 for another month.

9. England

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
9		England	496.96

Analysis

Going unbeaten is great, but draws and tight wins are not a way to stay amongst the top 10 teams in the world.

England's victory over Scotland was anything but convincing, while their draw with Ukraine did not inspire anyone to think much of this team's chances in Brazil.

All that will be moot, though, if England can find a way to Brazil.

8. Portugal

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
8		Portugal	516.38

Analysis

Portugal have revived their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, all but assuring themselves of at least a place in the playoffs.

While they will have to be lucky to get past Russia for the automatic bid, Portugal will be happy to qualify by any route as they have shown over the past few tournaments.

7. Uruguay

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
7		Uruguay	523.98

Analysis

Uruguay look to have regained their form, going on a tear in South American qualification to revive their hopes of qualifying for Brazil.

While they still face a tough test ahead, their current form would suggest that one should expect to see them next summer.

It may seem strange that a team that has struggled for the better part of the past year is so high, but one must remember that this team has had some of the best results over the past four years (World Cup fourth place, Copa America champions, Confederations Cup fourth place) and are looking back in form at the moment.

6. Italy

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
6		Italy	530.51

Analysis

When you get up to this point in the rankings, very little separates sixth from third.

Italy have looked amazing over the past few years and a major sleeper threat heading into the World Cup.

While one should expect to see the Azzurri deep in the tournament next year, their poor performance in South Africa is one separating factor in this tight race.

This should be of little concern to the Italians, though, as they are happy to qualify and drift under the radar toward their campaign.

5. Netherlands

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
5		Netherlands	537.566

Analysis

The Netherlands look to have put their dreadful Euro 2012 campaign behind them and are flying high into Brazil.

With this team firing on all cylinders, one should overlook the Netherlands at their own peril.

However, it's tough to gauge the effects that last summer's demoralizing performances will have on the Dutch players' psyches heading into another major tournament.

4. Argentina

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
4		Argentina	551.80

Analysis

Despite a few early setbacks, Argentina have dominated the South American World Cup group, cruising to the top and qualifying first for the World Cup in Brazil.

While there are a few concerns in the back, expect this team to be a major attacking threat (and some fun to watch) next summer.

3. Brazil

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
3		Brazil	559.97

Analysis

With the World Cup in their homeland quickly approaching, Brazil just seem to keep getting better.

A Confederations Cup trophy has restored belief in this team, while more good results in friendlies are keeping them sharp.

If their hot form continues, they could close the gap on second before next summer.

2. Germany

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
2		Germany	576.94

Analysis

The Germans look to be on a good path heading into another major tournament, but that is of little concern at this point.

After bitter disappointments over the past decade, Germany are only concerned with the results at the tournaments.

This team can do what they want right now, but anything less than a World Cup trophy in Brazil will be seen as a failure.

1. Spain

Ranking		Country	Points out of 1,000
1		Spain	639.24

Analysis

Spain still reign atop these rankings, just as they do with the World Cup and Euro trophies.

Perhaps Brazil showed some of the weaknesses in this team in the Confederations Cup final. Perhaps this side is just reaching the age where they are ripe for the taking.

However, with so many accomplishments, so much experience and so much talent coming through in their younger ranks, Spain should still be considered favorites heading into next summer.

Spain are just still the best there are in the international ranks.

Conclusion

So what do you think of the rankings?

Any teams you would have liked to see somewhere else? Any suggestions for things you'd like to see done differently? Which teams do you think will be threats in Brazil?

Let me know in the comments below or by tweeting me at the handles listed below.

Until next time, stay updated by following the Twitter handles linked.

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