Countdown to World Cup France '98
Updated August 28, 2020 |
Infoplease Staff
FIFA announced a new monthly world ranking system on Aug. 13, 1993 designed to “provide a constant international comparison of national team performances.” The rankings are based on a mathematical formula that weighs strength of schedule, importance of matches and goals scored for and against. Games considered include World Cup qualifying and final rounds, Continental championship qualifying and final rounds, and friendly matches. At the end of the year, FIFA designates a Team of the Year. Teams of the Year so far have been Germany (1993) and Brazil (1994, '95, '96).
1996
| Points | 1995 Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 68.38 | 1 |
| 2 | Germany | 64.46 | 2 |
| 3 | France | 61.37 | 8 |
| 4 | Colombia | 61.34 | 15 |
| 5 | Czech Republic | 61.11 | 14 |
| 6 | Denmark | 60.67 | 9 |
| 7 | Russia | 60.51 | 5 |
| 8 | Spain | 60.21 | 4 |
| 9 | Netherlands | 59.59 | 6 |
| 10 | Italy | 58.68 | 3 |
| 11 | Mexico | 56.92 | 12 |
| 12 | England | 56.42 | 21 |
| 13 | Portugal | 56.13 | 16 |
| 14 | Norway | 55.71 | 10 |
| 15 | Bulgaria | 55.64 | 17 |
| 16 | Romania | 55.57 | 11 |
| 17 | Sweden | 55.50 | 13 |
| 18 | USA | 54.78 | 19 |
| 19 | South Africa | 54.32 | 40 |
| 20 | Zambia | 53.76 | 25 |
| 21 | Japan | 53.35 | 31 |
| 22 | Argentina | 52.72 | 7 |
| 23 | Tunisia | 51.94 | 22 |
| 24 | Croatia | 51.29 | 41 |
| 25 | Ghana | 50.93 | 29 |
| 26 | Chile | 50.46 | 36 |
| 27 | Morocco | 50.31 | 38 |
| 28 | Egypt | 49.76 | 23 |
| 29 | Scotland | 48.71 | 26 |
| 30 | Slovakia | 48.57 | 35 |
| 31 | Turkey | 47.94 | 30 |
| 32 | Jamaica | 47.83 | 56 |
| 33 | Ecuador | 46.81 | 55 |
| 34 | Austria | 46.33 | 39 |
| 35 | Greece | 46.15 | 34 |
| 36 | Ireland | 46.08 | 28 |
| 37 | Saudi Arabia | 46.00 | 54 |
| 38 | Paraguay | 45.69 | 64 |
| 39 | Bolivia | 45.05 | 53 |
| 40 | Canada | 44.89 | 65 |
| 41 | Trinidad & Tobago | 44.72 | 57 |
| 42 | Belgium | 44.49 | 24 |
| 43 | Uruguay | 44.08 | 32 |
| 44 | South Korea | 44.05 | 46 |
| 45 | Honduras | 43.87 | 49 |
| 46 | Gabon | 43.80 | 67 |
| 47 | Switzerland | 43.54 | 18 |
| 48 | Lithuania | 43.30 | 43 |
| 49 | Algeria | 43.03 | 48 |
| 50 | Australia | 42.99 | 51 |
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Nov. 16, 1997 | End of preliminary competition |
| Nov. 30, 1997 | Completion of any necessary playoffs |
| Dec. 4, 1997 | Draw for final competition held in Marseilles |
| June 10, 1998 | Final 32-team tournament begins in France |
| July 12, 1998 | Championship game at Stade de France in Paris |
| United Still Stand | 1996-97 Season | 1996 Indoor World Championships |
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