2010 World Cup was England’s worst ever, say FIFA
Published:According to FIFA, England’s showing at the 2010 World Cup was the worst in their history.
Fabio Capello’s side plummeted to an all-time low ranking of 13th from the 32 teams in South Africa, surpassing the previous nadir of 1958’s 11th place.
The position is also seven places lower than England’s last two showings, where FIFA ranked them as the 6th best World Cup team in 2006 and 2002.
The ranking does not bode well for England’s qualifying campaign for Euro 2012, which they will begin against Bulgaria on September 3rd.
England are the 2/7 favourites to win Group G, which has drawn Capello’s team alongside Wales, Switzerland and Montenegro as well as Bulgaria.
Even after their woeful displays in South Africa, England should qualify for Euro 2012 with relative ease, and they are 8/1 to win the tournament itself.
Having failed to qualify for Euro 2008, England will be doubly determined to succeed at the next European Championship in Poland and Ukraine in two years’ time.
Capello’s first task will be to banish the painful memories of the failed Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, and the other teams in Group G should not provide England with too many problems.
At 6/1 to top the group, Switzerland are seen as England’s closest rivals, and Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side have already shown with their 1-0 World Cup win against Spain that they are capable of upsetting their loftier opponents.
Bulgaria are close behind on 8/1, but their hopes have been dealt a blow by their striker Dimitar Berbatov’s decision to retire from international football.
And while Wales will certainly be fired up by the chance to upset their old enemies England, at 16/1, their chances of topping the group are slim, as are Montenegro’s at 20/1.
Who do you think will be European champions? Spain are 4/1 to defend their title. See the full Euro 2012 market.
