Are countries at World Cup the best 32 in the world?

By Les Tan/Red Sports

Is the World Cup about the best 32 countries fighting it out for ultimate glory?

Not really. Eight teams out of the 32 countries — one quarter — playing in South Africa are outside the top 32.

A look at the FIFA rankings (see below) will show that Croatia (10th), Russia (11th), Egypt (12th), Norway (22nd), Ukraine (23rd), Israel (26th) and Romania (28th) are not at the football showpiece.

In their places are Honduras (38th), Japan (45th), South Korea (47th), New Zealand (78th), South Africa (83rd) and North Korea (105th).

Denmark, outside the top 32 in 36th, are also in the World Cup.

South Africa are of course the hosts (and you need somebody to pick up the US$2 billion tab for the party) and qualify automatically.

And given their current strength in rugby, the South Africans and Kiwis might get a higher ranking if they were allowed to pick up the ball to score a goal.

FIFA World Rankings (as of May 26th, 2010)
* did not qualify for 2010 World Cup

1 Brazil
2 Spain
3 Portugal
4 Netherlands
5 Italy
6 Germany
7 Argentina
8 England
9 France
10 Croatia*
11 Russia*
12 Egypt*
13 Greece
14 USA
15 Serbia
16 Uruguay
17 Mexico
18 Chile
19 Cameroon
20 Australia
21 Nigeria
22 Norway*
23 Ukraine*
24 Switzerland
25 Slovenia
26 Israel*
27 Ivory Coast
28 Romania*
29 Turkey
30 Algeria
31 Paraguay
32 Ghana

For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/

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For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/