France have climbed to the summit of a much-changed FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking in the first edition of the global ladder since a new ranking formula took effect and Les Bleus became world champions.
The formula, which was approved by the FIFA Council in June after a lengthy period of testing, relies on adding/subtracting points won or lost for a game to/from the previous point totals rather than averaging game points over a given time period as in the previous version of the Ranking.
The changes, of which there are several, include the fact that inactive teams now preserve their point totals, with no devaluation of older games.
Points are dropped, however, from losing or drawing against weaker opposition, with the only exception to this rule matches in knockout rounds of major competitions such as the FIFA World Cup.
The most important thing about the new method is, of course, the table it yields, and in that respect August’s Ranking makes for spectacular reading.
France (1st, up 6) provide the headline news, as they have reclaimed pole position for the first time in over 16 years, returning to a spot they last held in May 2002.
Just three points, however, separate Les Bleus from Russia 2018 semi-finalists Belgium (2nd, up 1), while World Cup runners-up Croatia (4th, up 16) have equalled their record Ranking position, last reached in June 2013.
Other big movers include Uruguay (5th, up 9), England (6th, up 6), Sweden (13th, up 11), and World Cup hosts Russia (49th, up 21).
Naturally, there are losses as well as gains, with previous leaders Germany (15th, down 14) among several sides to suffer for group-stage elimination in Russia. Poland (18th, down 10), Peru (20th, down 9) and Costa Rica and Iceland (joint-32nd, down 9 and 10 respectively) also slipped down the table on the back of disappointing World Cup campaigns.
Kenya remains in the 112th position with 291 points.
Tunisia tops the list of best Frican team at position 24 worldwide followed by Senegal and DRC Congo .
England has also moved up to sixth in FIFA world rankings after reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Belgium lost 1-0 to France in the semi-finals and are just three points behind them in the rankings – while Brazil drop to third following their quarter-final loss.
Reigning European champions Portugal are seventh, and Switzerland, Spain and Denmark complete the top 10 – with the latter two nations joint-ninth.
Argentina drop six places to 11th but Russia are the biggest climbers, having risen 21 spots to 49th.
The hosts were not fancied heading into the World Cup but won their first two games to reach the last 16 before stunning Spain on penalties to reach the last eight, where they lost to Croatia after another shootout.
Wales have fallen one spot to 19th, with Northern Ireland up two places to 27th. The Republic of Ireland and Scotland also went up two spots to 29th and 40th respectively.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 20 September 2018.