IKN

The final world ranking numbers for 2010 have just been published by world governing body FIFA and because we only love LatAm round here and know for a fact that the top three teams, Spain (1), The Netherlands (2) and Germany (3) were just plain lucky in 2010 and show very little footballing skill*, let’s check on how The Americas stand in the world pile. In this list, we’re cutting off at the first 100 teams in the world, so countries like Belize, Guyana or Barbados don’t show.

Top is Brazil with Argentina on their heels and nobody’s really going to argue with that. Then comes the World Cup’s biggest and best surprise package, Uruguay, fully deserving its place then excellent team that Mercelo Bielsa put together for Chile who have played attractive stuff all year, not just in the South Africa main event. Also worthy of applause is the USA team that’s developing very well. Perhaps not the flair and style of others, but great team ethic, an emphasis on fair play and a team taken serious by all world opponents these days.

As for the underachievers, Mexico in 7th is the first one that catches the eye. There’s plenty of money and skill in the Mexican league these days but the national team continues to disappoint its population. Next, you have to wonder how Peru feels, stuck beneath the likes of Cuba and Panama. Finally, Bolivia in 21st place and 97th in the world should feel the shame of being the worst ranked team in the South American qualifying league, the continent most nuts about football (ok, soccer if you like) there is.