Colombia is ranked third in the FIFA’s global ranking, having swapped places with the Netherlands in the soccer federation’s updated list of best soccer countries.
Despite Colombia’s recent friendly defeat against Brazil in the friendly match on September 5, the Colombians managed to overtake the Dutch who were beaten by the Czech Republic in their first qualifying match for the European Championship.
Los Cafeteros, as the Colombians are called, have been fighting their way to the top during the last three years, according to FIFA. In September 2011, the Colombian national team was ranked 32 by FIFA, but by 2013 Colombia’s pride reached third place for the first time in history.
Since then the team has been swinging around in top ten, and now they reclaim their position in the top three after the team’s unprecedented success during the World Cup where Colombia reached the quarter finals.
Germany, the World Cup winner, and Argentina, who lost to Germany in the World Cup Final, remain the two best teams, according to FIFA.
Guatemala surprised by jumping 77 positions up on the ranking ladder reaching a 57 place.
Subsequently to the 1-0 win against Colombia, secured by Neymar’s free kick shot in the top right corner, Brazil gained a boost to 6th place.
The Brazilian national team went down 4 positions to 7th place after the disastrous game against Germany, where the Brazilians lost 1-7, and they continued to lose the battle for the bronze medal to Netherlands 0-3.
Sources
- Colombia and the Netherlands swap places (FIFA)
- Compare Teams (FIFA)
