Canada keeps third-place rank within CONCACAF

Canada’s men’s national team is still the third-ranked country in the CONCACAF region. Canada slipped up three more spots from 54 to 51 in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings which were released today. They remain third amongst CONCACAF countries, trailing both Mexico and the United States. The rankings look back at each country’s record from the past four years.



The countries below Canada switched spots as Costa Rica fell from fourth to seventh within CONCACAF and Honduras jumped from fifth to fourth within CONCACAF. Cuba (from 8th to 5th) and Panama (from 7th to 6th) also climbed the rankings.



Canada jumped over Costa Rica last month to climb into third place amongst CONCACAF countries. While Canada climbed three more spots in the world rankings this month, Costa Rica fell 10 spots. Guatemala fell 12 spots in the world rankings this month while Trinidad & Tobago fell 14 spots. St. Vincent and the Grenadines made the biggest jump amongst CONCACAF countries this month – they climbed 24 spots in the world rankings.



On the road to the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010, only the top-three CONCACAF countries (per qualifications, not rankings) will automatically win a place in the world’s biggest football event. The fourth-place team, meanwhile, goes into a playoff with a CONMEBOL team for another place at South Africa 2010.



Canada’s next international match will be played in the third week of November in Durban, South Africa.



CONCACAF countries

Rank (World) – Country – Points

1 (15) Mexico 978

2 (18) United States 886

3 (51) Canada 596

4 (55) Honduras 574

5 (64) Cuba 485

6 (65) Panama 483

7 (66) Costa Rica 476

8 (68) Haiti 469

9 (73) St. Vincent & the Grenadines 428

10 (78) Trinidad & Tobago 414