Marcus Chan
England have dropped in the FIFA World Rankings as the new top 10 teams in the world have been ranked.
During the recent international break in March, England failed to win any of their matches after losing 1-0 to Brazil and drawing 2-2 with Belgium.
Looking ahead to this summer’s Euro 2024, which will take place in Germany, Gareth Southgate’s men will head into the tournament as one of the favourites to go all the way.
England were agonisingly beaten via a penalty shootout by Italy in front of a packed crowd inside Wembley Stadium in the last edition of the competition.
Ahead of the summer, FIFA have released the latest rankings and England have dropped a place from third to fourth, overtaken by Belgium.
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Argentina remains top with France second, Brazil are in fifth.
The only other team to move up the top 10 rankings was Portugal, who moved from seventh to sixth, overtaking the Netherlands.
Here are the top 10 teams in world football:
Predicting the England squad ahead of the tournament, former Chelsea and Three Lions star Joe Cole suggested that Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish risk being left out.
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As reported by the Daily Star, Cole said: “It sounds ridiculous but the character of the players comes into the thinking and what it means to them.
“I’m a big fan of Marcus Rashford, he’s hit big heights in his career but for no fathomable reason he’ll go on a run where people start questioning him again. For me, you only take Marcus if you’re going to start him. He’s at the age now that I think that’s where his mind is and I wouldn’t start him ahead of [Phil] Foden, [Harry] Kane or [Bukayo] Saka.”
He added: “This is no defamation of his character and ability but at this time in his life and situation at United, I think he could be the one that’s left out. Also with Jack Grealish, I love him, but how can you take him ahead of someone who is playing week in week out like a [James] Maddison or [Jarrod] Bowen who is doing it and who is match fit.”