FIFA dropped their latest world rankings on Thursday and the U.S. national team has fallen five places.
Following two friendly defeats to Colombia and the Republic of Ireland in November, plus just one win in five friendlies since the World Cup, Jurgen Klinsmann and co. will have been expecting this.
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This drop is not too surprising as plenty of European teams have surged up the rankings as they continue qualification from the 2016 European Championships, plus African teams have also been completing qualification for the 2015 African Cup of Nations. Qualifying games are worth more points than friendlies, so the U.S. would be expecting a drop off in their ranking while they can only arrange friendlies at this stage of the season.
That said, Klinsmann will want to see an improvement from his side in 2015 which will in turn help them to move back into the top 20.
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As for the big movers and shakers, England have reacted well after being knocked out of the World Cup at the group stages as the Three Lions have won six on the spin and move up seven places to 13th in the rankings. Plus Romania and the Czech Republic move into the top 20.
The USA’s main CONCACAF rivals Costa Rica (16) and Mexico (20) both stay in the top 20, while the top six teams remain unchanged with Germany leading the way, then Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Netherlands and Brazil behind them.
Top 20, full rankings can be found here
1. Germany
2. Argentina
3. Colombia
4. Belgium
5. Netherlands
6. Brazil
7. Portugal
7. France
9. Spain
10. Uruguay
11. Italy
12. Switzerland
13. England
14. Chile
15. Romania
16. Costa Rica
17. Czech Republic
18. Algeria
19. Croatia
20. Mexico
28. USA