England drop two places to FIFTH in the FIFA world rankings after Poland and Hungary draws… with Nations League champions France and Euro 2020 winners Italy leapfrogging them
- The updated FIFA world rankings have seen England lose their top three status
- Draws with Poland and Hungary saw Gareth Southgate’s side fall to fifth place
- France, winners of the Nations League, are up to third and Italy now sit fourth
The successes of France and Italy has seen England fall from their all-time high FIFA world ranking of third to fifth overall.
Draws for Gareth Southgate’s side against Poland and Hungary in World Cup qualifying have seen them fall behind France, who won the recent instalment of the UEFA Nations League, and Italy, their conquerors in the Euro 2020 final.
England remain unbeaten since losing that Euros final in a penalty shootout at Wembley but they have slipped to fifth in the rankings, with Belgium, Brazil, France and Italy making up the top four.
England have fallen from an all-time high FIFA world ranking of third to fifth overall right now
France’s victory in the UEFA Nations League has seen them rise up to third to replace England
Italy, who defeated England in the Euro 2020 final, have overtaken England to go fourth overall
Southgate’s side dropped 5.28 ranking points following that recent draw to Hungary and now stand in the table at 1,750.16 points in what is a convoluted calculator designed by FIFA.
Games against Albania and then San Marino in next month’s international break provide Southgate’s side with a chance to respond but it won’t provide enough of a swing to rise immediately back to third overall.
Wales are ranked 19th, Scotland find themselves 42nd, the Republic of Ireland are 51st and Northern Ireland sit seven places lower at 58.
While France were the big winners from the Nations League, Belgium, who finished the final four tournament fourth overall, remain No 1 in the world in the eyes of FIFA despite defeats to France and Italy.
England are unlikely to be able to claim back a top three spot in the next international windows
Roberto Martinez’s side have been top of the table for more than three years but their lead over Brazil is now just 12 points following victory for the South American side against Uruguay recently.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina sit directly behind England, 11.37 points adrift of Harry Kane and Co.
Spain, who were beaten in the Nations League final by France, have risen to seventh, Portugal sit eighth and Mexico sit ninth overall.
Denmark, who sealed their place at the World Cup in Qatar next winter during the last international break, round out the top 10 rankings.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina sit directly behind England and are closing in on overtaking for fifth
England’s immediate focus will be on securing their spot at Qatar in the upcoming international break.
Southgate’s side need four points from their final two group matches to be sure of qualification for the World Cup.
They are top of Group I currently but the lead was shaved to three points ahead of Poland after the 1-1 draw with Hungary.
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