FIFA Men's World Rankings

Germany maintain top spot, AFCON 2015 Champions Cote d'Ivoire move up Eight places to 20th as hosts Equatorial Guinea move up 69 places to make top 50.

							2015 (100 %)		2014 (50 %)		2013 (30 %)		2012 (20 %)
	Rank	Team	Total Points	Previous Points	+/-	Positions	Avg.	AVG WGT	Avg.	AVG WGT	Avg.	AVG WGT	Avg.	AVG WGT
	1	Germany	1729(1728.78)	1725	0		1090.54	1090.54	568.45	284.23	751.40	225.42	642.96	128.59
	2	Argentina	1534(1534.20)	1538	0		937.59	937.59	595.26	297.63	717.86	215.36	418.10	83.62
	3	Colombia	1456(1456.30)	1450	0		805.97	805.97	660.82	330.41	741.43	222.43	487.45	97.49
	4	Belgium	1430(1429.76)	1417	0		849.03	849.03	671.42	335.71	534.75	160.43	422.95	84.59
	5	Netherlands	1385(1384.79)	1374	0		884.29	884.29	557.87	278.93	411.93	123.58	489.95	97.99
	6	Brazil	1333(1332.97)	1316	0		796.05	796.05	705.46	352.73	316.84	95.05	445.72	89.14
	7	Portugal	1189(1189.00)	1160	0		570.26	570.26	666.86	333.43	535.42	160.63	623.39	124.68
	8	France	1168(1168.01)	1160	-1		700.29	700.29	474.78	237.39	449.20	134.76	477.84	95.57
	9	Uruguay	1146(1146.37)	1135	1		585.86	585.86	665.09	332.55	275.77	82.73	726.15	145.23
	10	Spain	1144(1144.48)	1142	-1		420.42	420.42	709.53	354.77	814.33	244.30	624.97	124.99
	11	Switzerland	1117(1116.65)	1091	1		523.66	523.66	676.00	338.00	518.32	155.49	497.50	99.50
	12	Italy	1112(1111.89)	1103	-1		519.52	519.52	559.08	279.54	604.20	181.26	657.86	131.57
	13	Costa Rica	1074(1074.35)	995	3		696.76	696.76	460.81	230.40	332.38	99.72	237.37	47.47
	14	Chile	1037(1036.66)	1016	0		524.20	524.20	645.39	322.70	301.14	90.34	497.09	99.42
	15	England	1028(1028.36)	1032	-2		523.32	523.32	446.77	223.39	557.86	167.36	571.45	114.29
	16	Romania	1022(1021.51)	1014	-1		625.49	625.49	383.86	191.93	457.41	137.22	334.36	66.87
	17	Czech Republic	990(990.13)	987	0		596.59	596.59	358.33	179.17	416.54	124.96	447.04	89.41
	18	Algeria	981(981.22)	948	0		546.51	546.51	485.61	242.81	378.22	113.47	392.16	78.43
	19	Croatia	945(944.56)	946	0		459.98	459.98	427.30	213.65	520.35	156.10	574.15	114.83
	20	Côte d'Ivoire	932(932.11)	833	8		496.43	496.43	346.87	173.43	496.80	149.04	566.04	113.21
	21	Mexico	912(912.30)	913	-1		451.87	451.87	422.67	211.33	510.88	153.27	479.14	95.83
	22	Slovakia	903(903.13)	891	-1		638.53	638.53	299.06	149.53	230.25	69.08	229.94	45.99
	23	Austria	881(880.64)	863	0		548.70	548.70	460.54	230.27	222.33	66.70	174.85	34.97
	24	Greece	871(871.17)	856	0		328.47	328.47	586.67	293.33	506.11	151.83	487.68	97.54
	25	Ghana	864(863.98)	714	12		507.57	507.57	299.63	149.82	427.87	128.36	391.17	78.23
	26	Tunisia	860(859.52)	873	-4		528.47	528.47	354.99	177.49	321.19	96.36	285.98	57.20
	27	Ukraine	859(858.58)	854	-2		404.33	404.33	634.71	317.36	338.38	101.52	176.84	35.37
	28	Denmark	846(845.57)	804	2		380.53	380.53	487.85	243.93	271.27	81.38	698.67	139.73
	29	Ecuador	840(839.74)	852	-3		392.03	392.03	348.17	174.08	685.74	205.72	339.56	67.91
	30	Bosnia and Herzegovina	832(831.96)	817	-1		346.68	346.68	510.94	255.47	378.05	113.41	582.00	116.40
	31	USA	824(824.25)	836	-4		305.98	305.98	695.82	347.91	362.11	108.63	308.64	61.73
	32	Israel	805(804.66)	788	0		499.41	499.41	331.00	165.50	162.25	48.68	455.36	91.07
	33	Russia	792(792.04)	789	-2		346.09	346.09	335.64	167.82	583.36	175.01	515.62	103.12
	34	Wales	764(764.01)	748	0		433.23	433.23	340.06	170.03	184.50	55.35	527.00	105.40
	35	Cape Verde Islands	756(756.14)	693	5		362.15	362.15	531.31	265.65	269.57	80.87	237.36	47.47
	36	Senegal	744(743.66)	734	-1		485.22	485.22	282.37	141.18	213.14	63.94	266.60	53.32
	37	Iceland	743(743.19)	761	-4		424.25	424.25	426.00	213.00	219.55	65.86	200.42	40.08
	38	Scotland	738(738.28)	729	-2		365.31	365.31	484.70	242.35	203.95	61.18	347.22	69.44
	39	Serbia	723(723.29)	713	-1		344.26	344.26	466.59	233.30	251.08	75.32	352.04	70.41
	40	Poland	709(708.89)	680	1		455.80	455.80	222.23	111.12	289.53	86.86	275.56	55.11
	41	Iran	700(700.50)	588	10		342.12	342.12	444.24	222.12	242.98	72.89	316.86	63.37
	42	Nigeria	664(663.71)	654	1		336.70	336.70	275.57	137.79	472.73	141.82	237.02	47.40
	43	Guinea	662(661.94)	706	-4		397.21	397.21	292.03	146.02	229.19	68.76	249.75	49.95
	44	Sweden	654(653.63)	646	0		233.44	233.44	376.86	188.43	398.41	119.52	561.18	112.24
	45	Cameroon	646(645.83)	665	-3		324.27	324.27	423.84	211.92	221.99	66.60	215.22	43.04
	46	Congo DR	641(641.03)	548	11		441.18	441.18	166.37	83.19	270.08	81.02	178.19	35.64
	47	Slovenia	640(639.96)	622	-1		266.37	266.37	529.05	264.53	164.72	49.42	298.19	59.64
	48	Hungary	634(633.65)	632	-3		291.79	291.79	308.73	154.36	386.06	115.82	358.40	71.68
	49	Congo	630(630.08)	529	12		420.24	420.24	195.31	97.65	290.37	87.11	125.42	25.08
	49	Equatorial Guinea	630(630.02)	260	69		484.59	484.59	67.94	33.97	185.76	55.73	278.64	55.73

Read More »

Manchester United want Nigel de Jong

Manchester United are reportedly preparing a summer move for AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong, who could be available on a free transfer.

The experienced Dutchman, who knows United boss Louis van Gaal from their time together with the Netherlands, is entering the final months of his contract at the San Siro.

As it stands, talks over a fresh agreement have broken down and according to Corrierre dello Sport, the 30-year-old is keen to seek pastures new.

De Jong represented Manchester City between 2008 and 2013 before moving on to Milan, where he has made almost 100 appearances.

Van Gaal is expected to have significant funds to strengthen his squad this summer, but sees De Jong as the ideal signing.

Read More »

Jose Mourinho relaxed over Eden Hazard contract

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is confident that Eden Hazard will sign a new long-term contract with the London side.

The Belgian, who has developed into one of the best players in Europe over the last couple of seasons, has been locked in contract talks with the Blues since last June.

As it stands, no deal has been agreed, but Mourinho has joked that the contract will be signed when he purchases "a nice pen".

"I am buying a nice pen," Mourinho told reporters when questioned on developments.

"I need a bit of time to go to Sloane Street and buy a proper pen. I just need time to buy the pen and after that I think there is not a long time to go!"

Hazard, who joined Chelsea from Lille in 2012, has scored 14 goals in 35 games this season.

Read More »

Tony Pulis: 'Brown Ideye will remain at West Bromwich Albion'

West Bromwich Albion head coach Tony Pulis has revealed that striker Brown Ideye will remain at The Hawthorns for the remainder of the season.

Ideye came close to leaving the club on deadline day before a move to Al-Gharafa was scrapped, and although there is still a week remaining of the Qatari transfer window, Pulis has insisted that the Nigerian won't be going anywhere.

The 57-year-old is quoted by the Express & Star as saying: "If he goes, we've got Saido Berahino and Victor Anichebe as our only two centre forwards so we can't let anyone else go.

"I'm not sure if it was a solid deal anyway. He's got a great opportunity now to play some games and we were very pleased to see him score on Sunday."

Ideye has netted just three times in 18 appearances for the Baggies in all competitions this season.

Read More »

Inter Milan 'pull out of permanent deal for Lukas Podolski'

Inter Milan have reportedly decided against offering Lukas Podolski a permanent contract at the Serie A club at the end of his loan spell in the summer.

The 29-year-old moved to Italy last month from Arsenal on a loan deal after falling out of favour at the Emirates.

There were suggestions that the forward would make his move permanent at the end of the season, but according to Tuttosport, Inter are not convinced and are expected to send Podolski back to Arsenal.

The German has made six appearances since arriving at Inter.

Read More »

Palermo open to selling Manchester United target Paulo Dybala to Juventus

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has revealed that the club are "happy" to open talks with Juventus about selling Paulo Dybala.

The 21-year-old has been linked to Premier League giants Manchester United, while Arsenal are also believed to be monitoring the highly-rated Argentine.

However, Zamparini, who has admitted that he no longer speaks to the player, has revealed that Juventus are in pole position to sign him.

"There has not been any contact with Napoli but it is true that Marotta has been in touch for Juventus," Zamparini told Tuttosport.

"He told me that Juventus will be right there if we decide to sell Dybala. They are very much interested in signing him and are ready to open talks.

"I told him that I would be more than happy to sell Paulo to Juventus if possible. I would actually prefer for him to stay in Italy."

Dybala has scored 11 goals in Serie A so far this season.

Read More »

Marouane Fellaini: 'I was treated unfairly by media under David Moyes regime'

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini believes that he was unfairly criticised by the media during David Moyes's short regime at Old Trafford.

The Scotsman signed the Belgian international from Everton for £27m in 2013, but it was a poor first season at Old Trafford for Fellaini.

The midfielder's manager was sacked less than 10 months into the job and the team finished seventh in the Premier League table.

In an interview with Goal.com, Fellaini said: "It was worse for me because I was the first signing for David Moyes, so I received all the criticism.

"I had no chance. Everything was being put on me. It was a bad experience but also a good experience because now I know what the journalists see."

United are currently fifth in the league table under Louis van Gaal's guidance.

Read More »

Morocco reject sanctions for refusing to host Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco have rejected sanctions issued to them by the Confederation of African Football for refusing to host this year's Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament, which was won by Ivory Coast, was staged in Equatorial Guinea after Moroccan officials refused to host due to fears over the Ebola outbreak.

As punishment, the Moroccan national team have been banned from competing in the next two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and were also fined £650,000 and £5.9m in damages.

In response to the sanctions, a statement from the Royal Federation of Moroccan Football read: "The executive committee is totally stunned by the decisions taken by the Caf, which has no relation with the conclusion taken after the meeting in Cairo with the president [of the Moroccan federation]."

The statement also claimed that the Federation "rejects all of these sports and financial sanctions," and it will "take all necessary measures to uphold the rights and interests of Moroccan football and provisions".

Read More »

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey out for up to a month

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has reportedly been ruled out for up to a month after suffering a hamstring injury in last night's slim victory over Leicester City.

The Welshman was brought on as a substitute in the second half, but only lasted nine minutes as he was forced back off the pitch.

According to The Telegraph this afternoon, Ramsey's latest setback could see him miss up to four weeks of action.

It is a similar injury to the one he suffered in December which kept him out for six weeks. He has made just five appearances since returning from that problem.

With Ramsey set for a spell on the sidelines, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been boosted by the news that Jack Wilshere could return to the squad for Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Middlesbrough after three months out injured.

Read More »

Liverpool's Mario Balotelli thanks supporters after ending goal drought

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has expressed gratitude towards the people who have "always" believed in him after ending his goal drought against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield last night.

The Italy international, who has struggled to find form since joining Liverpool from AC Milan in September, scored his first Premier League goal in a Reds shirt on Tuesday evening.

The 24-year-old's strike proved to be the winner in a 3-2 victory over Spurs, but the forward decided against celebrating on the pitch.

After the match, Balotelli posted a photo of himself with a grin and added the message: "Great game guys!!! This smile is ONLY for those that always Belive and support me. Thank you . and Forza Liverpool. But now head down and keep working hard. Tonight is past."

Read More »

Tottenham hotspur VS Arsenal Preview

There were three north-London tussles last season and Arsenal won all of them while Tottenham went through another two managers. Mauricio Pochettino has been bold to play homegrown youth ahead of bigger names and has been rewarded. Both teams are on form and this promises to be another telling encounter between sides separated by one place and two points. Paul Chronnell

Kick-off Saturday 12.45pm

Venue White Hart Lane

Last season Tottenham 0 Arsenal 1

Referee M Atkinson

This season G19, Y75, R3, 4.1 cards per game

Odds H 9-4 A 13-10 D 11-4

 Spurs v Arsenal: probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Guardian

Tottenham Hotspur

Advertisement

Subs from Vorm, Friedel, Yedlin, Chiriches, Dier, Kaboul, Davies, Stambouli, Capoue, Paulinho, Chadli, Townsend, Ceballos, Adebayor, Soldado

Doubtful None

Injured None

Suspended None

Form WWLWDW

Discipline Y46 R3

Leading scorer Kane 10

Arsenal

Subs from Szczesny, Martínez, Chambers, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Rosicky, Sánchez, Akpom, Welbeck

Doubtful Sánchez (hamstring)

Injured Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin, 15 Feb), Gnabry (match fitness, 21 Feb), Wilshere (ankle, Mar), Arteta (calf, Apr), Debuchy (shoulder, Apr)

Suspended None

Form WWWLWW

Discipline Y47 R2

Leading scorer Sánchez 12

Read More »