The USA’s tenure among the 10 best men’s soccer teams in the world has reached an abrupt end only a month after it began.
Gregg Berhalter’s side, who reached the top 10 for the first time in 15 years last month, have slid from 10th to 13th in FIFA’s latest update to the standings following a month in which they won just one of three World Cup qualifiers. Draws against El Salvador and Canada before three points against Honduras were hardly the ideal start for the USA on the pitch and they have also had ramifications off it. You can catch every away match for the United States (with the exception of the Mexico match) in qualifying on Paramount+.
Jumping ahead of the USMNT are Denmark, the Netherlands and Uruguay. Continental rivals Mexico remain firmly in position in ninth place. Slipping away from the top 10 could have significant ramifications for next winter’s World Cup if the USA make it that far.
Seeding for the draw, which is due to take place in April, is expected to be based on FIFA’s rankings with the seven-best placed qualifiers joining hosts Qatar as top seeds for the tournament. With 1643.1 ranking points to their name so far the USA have some way to go if they are to catch Portugal in seventh (1674.9) and guarantee themselves what would be a more favorable draw at the tournament.
Of course, for that to even be a matter of concern for the United States, they will have to start picking up points when the qualifiers resume on Oct. 7 with what could be a challenging match against Jamaica.
Elsewhere in the rankings, England climbed above France into third position, their highest standing for years and 10 places higher than they were when Gareth Southgate was appointed manager in 2016. Belgium continue to set the pace with Brazil in top pursuit and European champions Italy rounding out the top five. Iran, Russia, Norway, Scotland and Northern Ireland are the highest risers in the top 50, all moving up four spots, whilst Canada’s rise of eight places to 51 places them higher than they have been since 1996.
USMNT remaining qualifying schedule
(All times U.S./Eastern)
Thursday, Oct. 7 (Matchday 4)
United States vs. Jamaica, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 10 (Matchday 5)
Panama vs. United States, 9 p.m. (Paramount+)
Wednesday, Oct. 13 (Matchday 6)
United States vs. Costa Rica, 7 p.m.
Nov. 11-13 (Matchday 7)
United States vs. Mexico
Nov. 14-16 (Matchday 8)
Jamaica vs. United States (Paramount+)
Thursday, Jan. 27 (Matchday 9)
United States vs. El Salvador
Sunday, Jan. 30 (Matchday 10)
Canada vs. United States (Paramount+)
Wednesday, Feb. 2 (Matchday 11)
United States vs. Honduras
Thursday, March 24 (Matchday 12)
Mexico vs. United States
Sunday, March 27 (Matchday 13)
United States vs. Panama
Wednesday, March 30 (Matchday 14)
Costa Rica vs. United States (Paramount+)
Concacaf World Cup qualifying standings
|
1. |
Mexico |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
|
|
2. |
Canada |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
|
3. |
United States |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
|
4. |
Panama |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
|
5. |
Costa Rica |
3 |
2 |
1 |
-1 |
2 |
|
|
6. |
Honduras |
3 |
2 |
1 |
-3 |
2 |
|
|
7. |
El Salvador |
3 |
2 |
1 |
-3 |
2 |
|
|
8. |
Jamaica |
3 |
1 |
2 |
-4 |
1 |
