Brazil New FIFA World #1, but Do They Deserve It?

Brazil is number one in the new FIFA World Rankings, but do they really deserve it? I know that they moved up because they won the only big tournament that has been played in a while, the Copa America, but is that enough.

The big thing for Brazil is that this month the 2006 World Cup games were devalued by 50%. This means that their disappointing finish there does not count against them as much as it has in previous months.

Now I know that Brazil looked very good against Argentina in the Copa America final, but they did not play great competition in the rest of the tournament. Chile and Peru do not really count as world powers.

I just don't see how a team can be ranked number 1 in the world only a year after a very disappointing World Cup. Brazil entered the 2006 World Cup and exited in familiar fashion, when they lost to the French. I guess one can say that if it wasn't for the French the Brazilians could possibly be on a very impressive run of 4-straight World Cup championships, but the fact of the matter is that they aren't.

Brazil definitely has some of the best players in the world. They also have arguably the best player in the world in Ronaldinho. Brazil is also lucky enough to have some of the best young talent in the world in Kaka, Adriano and Robinho, but they just haven't proved anything lately.

The new FIFA rankings are putting too much stock in the Copa America tournament and not enough in European qualifying. I don't see Brazil giving up there number 1 ranking anytime soon because of a lack of major tournaments, but after Euro 2008, barring another surprise finish like last time in Greece's victory, there will definitely be a new number 1.

As much as I hate to say it, Italy probably still deserves that number 1 spot. Brazil is great, and may beat Italy head to head, but until there is a competition that can really separate the good from the bad, they should remain number 1 in the world for winning the World Cup.

I guess that means that I don't like that after a year they devalued the impact of the World Cup. The World Cup is the biggest tournament in the world and I think that those results should have a very big impact on the standings until the next World Cup, four years later.

I am not saying that the order you finish the World Cup should be how you are seen in the world rankings, but shouldn't it mean more than the Copa America?

Idleness really hurt the European teams in this month's World Rankings, but maybe the upcoming Euro Qualifiers will help the Europeans catch up.