I'm from Ireland. Ireland is 20th in the rankings even though they didn't lose a single game in the group stages and finished second on goal difference to Portugal.
And they beat Holland 1-0.
I dont understand how USA can be ahead of Ireland when most Americans think football is the game where the players run with the ball in their HANDS!!! and not the game where the players kick the ball with their FOOT !!! i.e. soccer (real football)
If anyone wants to see the rankings they are here:
http://www.fifa.com/rank/index_E.html