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 68.381
2 Germany 64.462
3 France61.378
4Colombia61.3415
5Czech Republic61.1114
6Denmark60.679
7 Russia60.515
8 Spain60.214
9Netherlands59.596
10 Italy58.683
11 Mexico56.9212
12 England56.4221
13 Portugal56.1316
14Norway55.7110
15 Bulgaria55.6417
16 Romania55.5711
17 Sweden55.5013
18 USA54.7819
19South Africa54.3240
20 Zambia53.7625
21Japan53.3531
22 Argentina52.727
23Tunisia51.9422
24 Croatia51.2941
25Ghana50.9329
26Chile50.4636
27Morocco50.3138
28Egypt49.7623
29 Scotland48.7126
30 Slovakia48.5735
31 Turkey47.9430
32Jamaica47.8356
33 Ecuador46.8155
34 Austria46.3339
35 Greece46.1534
36 Ireland46.0828
37Saudi Arabia46.0054
38 Paraguay45.6964
39 Bolivia45.0553
40Canada44.8965
41Trinidad & Tobago44.7257
42 Belgium44.4924
43Uruguay44.0832
44 South Korea44.0546
45 Honduras43.8749
46Gabon43.8067
47 Switzerland43.5418
48Lithuania43.3043
49 Algeria43.0348
50Australia42.9951
Date Activity
Nov. 16, 1997 End of preliminary competition
Nov. 30, 1997 Completion of any necessary playoffs
Dec. 4, 1997Draw 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 Stand1996-97 Season1996 Indoor World Championships
1997 World Soccer Results
Sources +