The FIFA world rankings are always to be taken with a pinch of salt, but this should make encouraging reading for England.
As we know, Roy Hodgson’s squad will face Wales, Russia and Slovakia in their Euro 2016 group, and are way ahead of their opponents if the rankings are to be trusted.
England currently sit in 9th, between Colombia and Austria, and are the only team from Group B in the top 16 in the world.
Wales are 17th, three places behind a Netherlands team that failed to even make the playoffs for the tournament.
Russia are the next best-placed, in 24th, but the Bosnia and Herzegovina team that finished third in Wales’ qualifying group are ranked higher.
Slovakia, meanwhile, bring up the rear. Despite finishing second to Austria in qualifying, Jan Kozak’s men are ranked two spots lower than the Russians.
