RECREATION: SPORTS: FOOTBALL

List: Top Ten National Football Teams

Date: July 2006

Source: FIFA World Rankings

Base: All national football teams in the world.

Notes: These rankings were published after the 2006 World Cup and using a new calculation system, with changes to the criteria FIFA had used prior to the tournament in Germany. The new system takes into account games played over the last four years instead of the last eight and also changes the weighting system, with more importance given to World Cup games over friendly games. Regional strength is also considered, as are opponents, goals scored and conceded, and home or away venues. More details on criteria used here.