FIFA took into account matches played over the past four years. Regional strength, quality of opponent, goals scored and conceded, and home or away fixtures were all considered. The rankings give more importance to World Cup games rather than friendly matches.
As a consequence the World Cup winners are ranked below Brazil, one of the beaten quarter-finalists. Germany finished the World Cup in third place, but as tournament hosts, played only friendly matches for two years. Portugal who finished fourth in Germany this summer are ranked a place above the nation that beat them convincingly in the 3rd/4th play-off, although England, the nation they eliminated on penalties has a superior ranking of three places.