World Cup Soccer: Most Under Performing Football Nation goes to ... ... ...

Most of you must be thinking the answer is England, the nation that created football. Well... I shall not reveal the result till we go through some facts first. Lets start... ...

First we list down the top 10 nations from the latest FIFA World Ranking (as of 20 Nov 2009)

1. Spain
2. Brazil
3. Netherlands
4. Italy
5. Portugal
6. Germany
7. France
8. Argentina
9. England
10. Croatia

Out of the above 10 nations, 6 nations have won the World Cup. In fact, all 18 previous World Cup winners are covered in the top 10 of latest FIFA ranking.

Lets go deeper...

(Note: *+1 means qualified for 2010 World Cup Finals)

1. SPAIN    12+1* WC appearances, 1 x Fourth (1950)      

2. BRAZIL     18+1 WC appearances, 5 x Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002), 2 x Runner-up (1950, 1998), 2 x Third (1938, 1978), 1 x Fourth (1974)

3. NETHERLANDS    8+1 WC appearances, 2 x Runner-up (1974, 1978), 1 x Fourth (1998)

4. ITALY    16+1 WC appearances, 4 x Winners (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006), 2 x Runner-up (1970, 1994), 1 x Third (1990), 1 x Fourth (1978)

5. PORTUGAL    4+1 WC appearances, 1 x Third (1966), 1 x Fourth (2006)

6. GERMANY    16+1 WC appearances, 3 x Winners (1954, 1974, 1990), 4 x Runner-up (1966, 1982, 1986, 2002), 3 x Third (1934, 1970, 2006), 1 x Fourth (1958)


7. FRANCE    12+1 WC appearances, 1 x Winner (1998), 1 x Runner-up (2006), 2 x Third (1958, 1986), 1 x Fourth (1982)


8. ARGENTINA    14+1 WC appearances, 2 x Winners (1978, 1986), 2 x Runner-up (1930, 1990)

9. ENGLAND    12+1 WC appearances, 1 x Winner (1966), 1 x Fourth (1990)

10. CROATIA    3 WC appearances, 1 x Third (1998)


From the above, we can easily see that Spain (Yes.. Spain) is under-performing in the world stage. Their only top 4 finish is way back in 1950. As the current EURO Cup holder, everyone is having high hopes on Spain to finally deliver at 2010 edition.

Their recent results and records speaks something...
1) Their recent 5-1 win over Austria is their 8th win in a row and 23rd in 24 matches.
2) Spain currently holds the world record for most consecutive wins at 15 (2008-2009)
3) Spain currently holds the most consecutive games undefeated at 35 (2007-2009) (shared with Brazil between 1993-1996), winning 32 of them.

 With the likes of Fernando Torres, David Villa, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Alonso, Andres Iniesta, Iker Casillas in the ranks this time round, this is surely the strongest Spanish side of all-time. Can this current squad go on to win in the big stage just like their famous clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona? Will the real Spanish team please stand up?

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