World Cup Groups & their Teams' FIFA Rankings

— Updated, after the 2006 Rank Update 5

– See, too, original version (Nov., 2005)

2005 FIFA Rankings (as of May 17, 2006)



Groups & FIFA Rankings (below)	Ordered by Average Points	Ordered by Average Rank

Related Section: Match-lines: Soccer x Logic...

Please Note: the Ranking, below, reflects the data available at the moment the World Cup kicks off (the World Ranking list is dated May.17, 2006, on the FIFA site). Previous updates for the FIFA World Ranking, since the groups were drawn, in Leipzig (Nov. 2005) are available here. These updates contain rather minor alterations, as compared to the latest Ranking, used in this Section.

– Go directly to table, skipping text below –

Group C has been called "the Group of death." Independently of the fact that it is indeed a very strong group, the other two Tables in this eBook Section (see links above) reveal alternative views of which might be the most competitive or difficult group(s), in the 2006 World Cup.

In truth, one can only find this out once the World Cup has started. After all, who can forget the disappointing performances of both France and Argentina in the 2002 World Cup, favorites as they were to clinch the Title, before the ball effectively started rolling in Korea Rep.⁄Japan? By the same token, who would have dared imagine, beforehand, the surprisingly strong campaigns of both the Korea Republic and Japan (the former eliminating none else than three-time World Champion Italy!), let alone Korea Republic ending up fourth in the World cup, as they did?! Ironically, at that time Brazil was not a favorite (as they were in the previous World Cup, in France, Brazil however playing a disappointing final match against the home Squad), but though not a favorite, Brazil clinched their fifth World Cup, in Korea Rep.⁄Japan. So, perhaps we should say (with a pinch of humor, of course) that it is better not to be a favorite, for the most feared Squads seem not to have lived much up to their prestige... (See remarks on favorite squads on the Trivia & Curiosities page.)

Independently of what one may recall or argue for or against, surprises do occur, in World Cups, don't they?!... Ardent soccer fans can enumerate a good number of unexpected outcomes. There is a question of momentum, in addition to a considerable number of other variables, which can significantly affect a Squad's performance for the better or for the worse (See the Magic of complexity page, for related remarks.).

Moreover, soccer being a Team sport, it also sails on the "magic" of the balance and cohesion that a Squad's players can attain, physically, emotionally and technically, at a given moment. Strategy must not be overlooked, either.

(Incidentally, I have a hunch that Group F could turn out quite interesting, in this aspect. First of all, the Dutch Guus Hiddink, who took Korea Republic to fourth place, in the last World Cup, is now coaching the Australian Team! The Australians should not be underestimated, as they eliminated Uruguay, in the qualifying play-off! Uruguay has not only been World Cup Champion twice, but traditionally puts up quite hard challenges both to Brazil and to Argentina, in the South American soccer scenario. This is the Squad that Hiddink's new boys – now Australian – managed to eliminate, in order to join Brazil, Japan, and Croatia, in Group F! Now, Hiddink is in good company, so to speak, as the coaches of the other three Squads in the Group by no means lag behind on the strategic lane – at least, in principle...So, there could be something interesting to watch, in that Group, beyond the actual matches. Of course we may also be again surprised and end up watching a phenomenal "strategic battle" where we least expect!... Well, let us allow time to tell the story.).

Anyway, it does not hurt to take a couple of fresh glances at the different groups, in this Section, and more especially at the so-called "Group of death," in face of the other World Cup Groups. Certainly, this is something which the other two tables in this Section can offer. For, as with all else in life, the opinions we make largely depend on the reference points from which we choose to view whatever the matter at stake.

The Table right below is completely neutral, in the sense that it merely reproduces FIFA's Rankings. What is original, nonetheless keeping absolute neutrality, just as well, is that Squads have been grouped according to their 2006 World Cup Groups. Furthermore, the FIFA Ranking Points obtained by all Squads in every Group have been added, and a virtual "Group average Points" has been calculated for each Group.

It should be stressed that all the information in this Section is factual. It is all really mere data (from FIFA). The fresh views can emerge from the way the information is organized. That's what allows some original patterns to emerge.

Obviously, only in a linear environment (which is certainly not the case for Soccer!) may a mere addition of the parts manage to reveal whichever whole they comprise, altogether. However, it is interesting to muse over what emerges from the other two Tables in this Section.

Check the table below, and then click on the other two links, above, and you may be in for a bit of a surprise, regarding the so-called "Group of death" (Group C), amid the World Cup Squads' scenario and their FIFA Rankings.

The page Top Coaches - 2005 may help render this section yet more interesting.

2006 World Cup Group	May17, 2006 Rank	Team	Points	Overall&Average Group Points

A	19	Germany	696	Sum: 2687
	26	Costa Rica	683	average:
	29	Poland	677	671.75
	39	Ecuador	631

B	10	England	741	Sum: 2707
	16	Sweden	709	average:
	33	Paraguay	653	676.75
	47	Trinidad and Tobago	604

C	3	Netherlands	768	Sum: 2793
	9	Argentina	746	average:
	32	Côte d'Ivoire	669	698.25
	44	Serbia and Montenegro	610

D	4	Mexico	758	Sum: 2775
	7	Portugal	750	average:
	23	Iran	686	693.75
	57	Angola	581

E	2	Czech Republic	772	Sum: 2856
	5	USA	756	average:
	13	Italy	728	714
	48	Ghana	600

F	1	Brazil	827	Sum: 2830
	18	Japan	705	average:
	23	Croatia	686	707.5
	42	Australia	612

G	8	France	749	Sum: 2643
	29	Korea Republic	677	average:
	35	Switzerland	648	660.75
	61	Togo	569

H	5	Spain	756	Sum: 2709
	21	Tunisia	693	average:
	34	Saudi Arabia	651	677.25
	45	Ukraine	609

– original version –

Related Section: Match-lines: Soccer x Logic...

Groups, Squads & Rankings


FIFA's Ranking (below)	2006 Seedings Rank	FIFA Teams' Rankings



WC Groups & FIFA Rankings	Groups, by Squad Points	Groups, by Squad Ranking

WC Groups & FIFA Rankings	Groups, by Squad Points	Groups, by Squad Ranking

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