How well do FIFA rankings reflect the actual strengths of different national teams?

Well I thought they were a more useful guide until I actually read the current rankings! I don't think Portugal are the third best team in the world. I think Italy, Croatia and Greece are also very fortunate to be as high as they are.

I think Italy were fortunate to win the World Cup in 2006 (for me Argentina were by far the best team at the tournament, but their coach cost them the trophy), and that win has kept them in the highest positions since. The further down you go, the more teams you see that perhaps are higher than they deserve to be. As regards teams who are not as high as they ought to be, I think perhaps Argentina and England should be in the top 5, but I guess they haven't gained the points etc.To bring this about.

For me, they will be two of the biggest contenders in South Africa. Denmark, Slovakia and Ireland should certainly be higher. The first two topped their World Cup qualifying groups, the last team went unbeaten and drew twice with Italy. Ireland also finished well ahead of Bulgaria yet Bulgaria are higher in the rankings.

I'm not sure what the lowest is that Brazil has ever been on this list. I imagine they are usually first or second, but this may not help them in terms of their World Cup chances.It might instead bring pressure / expectation. Perhaps it's the teams from say, 3 down to 8, that we'll really have to watch out for in South Africa.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.