Canada makes jump in FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings

Canada’s men’s national team made the biggest jump in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings, gaining 138 points and 26 spots after the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Canada now ranks fifth amongst CONCACAF nations and 66th amongst all nations.



The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings looks at each country’s international results from the last four years. The ranking takes into account the result, the importance of the match, the strength of the opponent, the regional strength, the time period, and the number of matches per year.



Canada reached the quarter-final stage of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, bowing out after an 0:1 loss to Honduras in Philadelphia. Canada reached the quarter-final stage after finishing first in its group with two wins and one draw.



In all, Canada played five matches in between the July and August rankings. Along with the four competition matches (2-1-1), Canada also played an international friendly match on 30 June (a 3:0 win over Guatemala).



On the heels of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, those participating nations of course made the biggest movement on the world ranking. Canada’s 138-point jump was the biggest in this month’s ranking. Haiti, who also reached the quarter-final stage, had the second-biggest jump at 47 points while El Salvador, who was eliminated in the group phase, had the third-biggest jump at 32 points.



Within CONCACAF, USA remains in first place while CONCACAF Gold Cup champion Mexico has moved back into second place. Costa Rica, Honduras, Canada and Jamaica round out the top six.



FIFA / CONCACAF / Country / Points

12 / 1 USA 991

30 / 2 Mexico 799

38 / 3 Costa Rica 742

46 / 4 Honduras 664

66 / 5 Canada 498

69 / 6 Jamaica 489

70 / 7 Trinidad and Tobago 478

78 / 8 Panama 417

81 / 9 El Salvador 408

88 / 10 Cuba 383