Friendlies and FIFA Rankings- Do International Friendly Matches Contribute to Team Rankings-
Do friendlies count towards FIFA rankings? This is a question that has been debated among football enthusiasts and experts alike. FIFA rankings are a crucial metric used to determine the global standing of national teams, and the inclusion or exclusion of friendly matches in these rankings has sparked considerable discussion. In this article, we will explore the significance of friendly matches in FIFA rankings and provide insights into whether these matches truly contribute to a team’s ranking.
The FIFA rankings are designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the world’s football teams, taking into account their performance in official matches. These official matches include World Cup qualifiers, FIFA World Cup, FIFA Confederations Cup, and other international competitions. However, the inclusion of friendly matches in the rankings has been a subject of controversy, as some argue that these matches do not reflect a team’s true potential and performance.
Supporters of including friendly matches in FIFA rankings argue that these matches provide valuable opportunities for teams to test their mettle against top-level opposition. They believe that playing against stronger teams can help improve a team’s performance and ultimately boost their ranking. Furthermore, friendly matches can serve as a platform for teams to gain confidence and build momentum heading into crucial official matches.
On the other hand, critics argue that friendly matches are not always competitive or representative of a team’s true capabilities. They point out that friendly matches are often played without the full-strength teams, and the result may not accurately reflect a team’s potential. Additionally, friendly matches are not subject to the same rules and regulations as official matches, which can lead to inconsistencies in the rankings.
FIFA has addressed this issue by stating that friendly matches are not directly used to calculate a team’s ranking. However, they do acknowledge that the performance of a team in friendly matches can indirectly influence their ranking. For instance, if a team performs exceptionally well in friendly matches, it may boost their confidence and lead to better results in official matches, which, in turn, could positively impact their ranking.
In conclusion, while friendly matches do not directly count towards FIFA rankings, their performance can indirectly influence a team’s global standing. The inclusion of friendly matches in the rankings is a topic that remains a subject of debate, but it is clear that these matches play a significant role in the development and preparation of national teams. As football continues to evolve, the importance of friendly matches in the context of FIFA rankings may change, but their value in fostering international competition and camaraderie will always remain.
