FIFA rankings are as useful as "__________"

I know that FIFA rankings never seem to make much sense but the latest changes in the rankings are really laughable in my opinion. For example, how did Argentina fall below Brazil?

 

When Argentina can only manage a 0-0 tie v the 30th rank team.. :wink: . I've never taken them seriously and would have voted for the poison ivy tp if not for the fact of a 13 year old living on our premises.

 

I think the logic one makes sense, but for complex reasons. To some degree, the FIFA rankings do make sense and looking at an aggregate (say, average rating over a year), they work pretty well. As with teenagers, however, they have their momments of madness

 

Dont have a teenager yet but from what I've heard, comparing FIFA to one is spot on.

 

Don. We played fewer games and only beat a ranked 100+ team 1-0 away in a WCQ (which count more than friendlies).

 

However, we beat the same team in the first leg 8-0. It's neither here nor there since the US is probably ranked about the right spot. I'm more curious on how and more importantly who comes up w/the rankings.

These rankings remind of the (American) college football coach's poll. The coaches never see a single game played besides their own and their upcoming opponent, but are supposed to actually vote on the Top 25.

 

FIFA rankings are as useful as Steve Marlet.

They should be considered as important as the top 100 singles of all time ever where 5 of the top 10 are from the current year.

All that really matters are who wins the world cup and their own continental cup.

 

Don. MEX vs ARG and USA vs ARG added value, but far less than "games that matter." Every game is given a weight, with World Cup games counting the most, and friendlies the least.

There is also the factor of "retired" games. The ratings take into account all games played over the previous X months (48?), so in some cases, teams gain or lose ranking based upon a big victory or defeat no longer being counted in the calculation.

 

After looking at the latest FIFA rankings, http://m.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html, I found this gem of a thread. Apparently things haven't changed in many years.

http://www.cbssports.com/general/ey...falls-in-world-rankings-near-albania-and-iran

 

And forgive me, but the ol' adage, "tits on a bull" comes to mind.

 

A fork with chicken broth