Without a "Group of Death," and without 5 of the top 8 ranked African countries (Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon and South Africa all failed to qualify), the opening stages of the African Cup of Nations lacks a bit in the tasty fixtures department. For perspective, Tunisia, the participating country with the fourth-highest FIFA ranking is still behind tiny Cape Verde Islands (who also did not qualify).

The Ivory Coast won their first match of the 2012 African Cup of Nations today, a 1-0 defeat of Sudan with Didier Drogba scoring the lone goal.

Curious as to their current FIFA ranking and who else might likely put up a fight against the Elephants, I looked it up. Learning that they rank 18th internationally didn't surprise, but the fact that only 5 other African countries make up the top 50 did.

The Ivory Coast won their first match of the 2012 African Cup of Nations today, a 1-0 defeat of Sudan with Didier Drogba scoring the lone goal.

Curious as to their current FIFA ranking and who else might likely put up a fight against the Elephants, I looked it up. Learning that they rank 18th internationally didn't surprise, but the fact that only 5 other African countries make up the top 50 did.

Indians will see Roberto Pires in action next month

Instant cricket, the 20/20 version has found a home in India's Premier league, one of the world's most lucrative sporting brands, till corruption eroded its worth. The success of the IPL is inspiring a new soccer league in India which will see the likes of Roberto Pires, Fabio Cannavaro, Juan Pablo Sorin, and others participating in a soccer competition styled on the IPL format.

The current FIFA World & European Champions, SPAIN , has for a consecutive fourth year finished Nº1 Rank Football National Team in the FIFA RANKING. The World Football Authority released its Final 2011 list today with Spain on top with 1,564 pts. Spanish Football Team Below is the final FIFA Ranking for 2011: 1.

The current FIFA World & European Champions, SPAIN , has for a consecutive fourth year finished Nº1 Rank Football National Team in the FIFA RANKING. The World Football Authority released its Final 2011 list today with Spain on top with 1,564 pts. Spanish Football Team Below is the final FIFA Ranking for 2011: 1.

FIFA released today its monthy ranking with SPAIN retaining the Nº1 spot for the month of NOVEMBER as the "Best Football Nation in the World". However, the defeat against England in a Friendly International & the last moment draw against COSTA RICA has narrowed the points gap with the second placed nation , HOLLAND, which lost as well against Germany in their last match.

World Football governing body ( organization) FIFA has released its monthly "World Rankings" for September with the SPANISH FOOTBALL NATIONAL TEAM regaining its Nº 1 spot after falling to Nº 2 place last month. The victories over Chile in a Friendly International & Liechtenstein in their Group Euro 2012 match have served to allow SPAIN to overtake Holland.

There are empty seats at Wembley this evening. The FA's hyperbolic per-match ticket advertising for this match may have made inferences to this being the match that everybody wants to see, but the fact that the advertisements were on display anywhere at all told its own story. There are red dots pock-marking the background at the national stadium this evening, betraying the feeling that this match is more of a tussle than a battle of Britain.

Hopes for a detailed preview went out of the window thanks to business matters, and with the first qualifiers kicking off in a little over an hour right now there won't be much time for an in-depth analysis. Nevertheless, here is a look at the six groups and my expectations for how things will shake out.

The SPANISH FOOTBALL NATIONAL TEAM has "suffered" the effects of being defeated 2 - 1 by Italy in their last Friendly International match by losing the Nº1 FIFA World Ranking position. The current FIFA World Champions have dropped to the Nº 2 position to see HOLLAND now be ranked as the "Best National Team" ( Nº1 ) for the month of August.

Socceroos defeat of Wales: a sign of things to come - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

The Socceroos' upcoming World Cup campaign looks on firm ground. This morning's friendly against Wales showed the evident class of both sides' top players, but a workmanlike Australia were the superior team against a side whose Premier League pedigree belies it's FIFA ranking of 119.

SPANISH FOOTBALL, via the National Team, keeps itself Nº 1 in the Football - Soccer World Rankings for another month after FIFA released today the July rankings. The novelty is Uruguay which jumps to Nº5 after winning the "Copa America", & this position for them is a historical first since FIFA began its rankings.

SOURCE: REPUBLICAPictures: RepublicaKATHMANDU, June 29: Nepal registered a 2-1 win over East Timor on Wednesday during its Asian Qualifiers campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil at the home ground on Dasharath Stadium.
However, the win was not as easy as expected in the slippery ground marred by downpour from the beginning to the end of the match against the low profile team in terms of FIFA ranking.

SPANISH FOOTBALL & the NATIONAL FOOTBALL - SOCCER TEAM continue at the highest level of World Football after FIFA released today its monthly World Ranking. SPAIN stays at the Nº 1 spot, & has done so for the last three years. Actually three years ago Spain won the EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP around this time to catapult them to the top of the World ranking & the team hasn´t looked back ever since.

FIFA has released today this months World Rankings for National Football Teams with SPAIN still in the Nº1 Spot. Very little changes in the Top 20 positions as the National Squads have had very little action in the way of International games. This will be different for the next scheduled FIFA World Ranking table release ( 29th of June), from now till then there are numerous International matches

Northern Ireland have had a mixed start to their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and remain one of Europe's more enigmatic teams. Kevin Leonard has been keeping up to date with their progess.

In the act of expressing joy for one's team, many a song sang from the stands can be an exaggeration.

FIFA has released its monthly list of Top World National Football Teams with SPAIN retaining the Number One ranking. There has been little to really calculate for FIFA since last month except the Doha International matches & the more recent Asian Cup games were Japan won the title & lifted them 12 positions to place them in the 17th spot on the World ranking.

How to land on the bench real quick.

[101gg]

• Fixing the world, one hug and corner at a time. (Reuters)
• Arsenal's new blueprint. (The DA)
• Mysconceptions and Mario Balotelli. (Futfanatico)
• Crossing the Merseyside divide. (The Spoiler)
• WWIII: Sepp v Qatar.

FIFA has released its first "Top National Football Teams" ranking for 2011 with very little changes from the December 2010 list. FIFA took into account the last 35 International Friendly matches played to calculate the points where SPAIN retains the Nº1 World Ranking Position. Spain 2010 Here is the Top 20 FIFA Football Nations for January 2011: .