as well as limit how often FIFA releases its rankings. Plus, by counting the games then it should give both teams incentive to try to win the game. It would be like saying the NCAA decided that games between FBS and FCS schools shouldn't count. Most people would have a problem if Alabama made it to the Playoff with a 11-1 and lost to a FCS during the regular season because it decided to only play its backups in the game.

Honestly, I don't have an opinion one way or another about whether friendlies should be used in the formula or not. However, if friendlies are removed then it could have some unintended negative consequences on the rankings. Then again maybe FIFA shouldn't even do rankings and/or designate 8 teams to be the top team for each World Cup group. Likewise, it would mean for regions that uses groups during its World Cup Qualification, then it couldn't designate teams to be the top teams in each group because it has nothing to base its decision on. In CONCACAF's case it would mean that it couldn't no longer have play-in games for the first, second, and third rounds. Also, it could mean that Costa Rica, Mexico, and USA could end up in the same group which means only 1-2 teams would move on to the final round of qualifying.


[Post edited by VTHokie2000 at 08/05/2016 10:19AM]