© BELGIAN
The greatest achievement of the Golden Generation is at stake in the coming days. The Red Devils threaten to lose their first place in the FIFA ranking, which they have now occupied for three years and three months, to Brazil. It is thumbs up that the Brazilians do not take six out of six.
Wim Conings
Today at 03:00
Since the end of last year, the Divine Canaries have come within two points of the Red Devils in the FIFA ranking and will be finishing two World Cup qualifiers in the coming days. The first, in and against Ecuador, will be played on Thursday evening at 10 PM. If the five-time world champion wins that match, it will virtually jump over the Red Devils to first place.
Striking: in that scenario, the Red Devils could regain their first place a few days later… without taking action themselves. After all, the current system for calculating the FIFA ranking also takes minus points into account if a country that is higher than its opponent in the ranking cannot win.
As a result, Brazil can jump over the Belgians with a win on Thursday and drop below the Devils’ points again a few days later if it doesn’t win its second match. That second game will be played against Paraguay in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. The Brazilians therefore only need a six out of six against Ecuador and Paraguay. In any other scenario, the Red Devils extend their lead as number one.
Ecuador in particular is a tough opponent
National coach Roberto Martinez and co. So keep your fingers crossed for Brazil’s two South American opponents. The first assignment in particular seems difficult for the Brazilians, who have already qualified for the World Cup with a penalty of 35 out of 39. Ecuador is doing well with a third place in the South American World Cup qualifiers. Paraguay is penultimate and should in principle not be a problem.
The FIFA ranking is not only about prestige, but is also important for the pot allocation at major tournaments. The countries that score the best receive a status as seed and thus avoid each other. In April, Brazil and Belgium will both enter the pots for the group classification of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Due to their high position in the world ranking, the Red Devils are already sure that they will be seeded just like Brazil. But whether they will also start as the world’s number one at the World Cup is far from certain. The next FIFA ranking will be announced on February 10.
Current FIFA Ranking:
1. Belgium 1828.45
2. Brazil 1826.35
3. France 1786.15
4. England 1755.52
5. Argentina 1750.51
6. Italy 1740.77
7. Spain 1704.75
8. Portugal 1660,25
9. Denmark 1654.54
10. Netherlands 1653.73
