FIFA’s new rankings

FIFA’s new rankings are due Wednesday, March 15.

Since these February 2006 rankings, FIFA set aside one day for international friendlies. Brazil won, Czech tied Turkey (ranked 11th), Netherlands won, Argentina lost to Croatia (ranked 23rd), France lost to Slovakia (ranked 45th), Spain won, Mexico won, U.S. won, England won, and Portugal won.

Don’t expect much change, as international friendlies don’t count for very much.

The factors used are:

• Friendly match x 1.00

• Continental championship preliminary x 1.50

• World Cup preliminary match x 1.50

• Continental championship finals match x 1.75

• FIFA Confederations Cup match x 1.75

• World Cup finals match x 2.00

But beating a European team helps. That’s good in very small way for the U.S., as Mexico beat Ghana. It’s all explained here, if you care.