USMNT falls four spots to 33 in FIFA rankings

The FIFA World Ranking continues to treat the United States unkindly. In the latest edition, the U.S. fell four spots to No. 33, where they are tied with Hungary and behind Cape Verde Islands, Iceland and Ghana.

The biggest drag on the Americans' score is their 2014 results. Those are still decently heavily weighted and a rough year is causing them problems. Even though they made the round of 16 at the World Cup, they went just 1-2-1 at the tournament and the rankings only take into account wins and losses, not how far a team goes in a tournament. Toss in a rough 2015, including a disappointing Gold Cup - which is huge because it's weighted more heavily than friendlies - and you have a ranking that isn't so wonderful.

Things should turn around for the U.S. soon, if they can rack up wins. World Cup qualifying carries more weight than friendlies and that begins this month, while next summer's Copa America Centenario will be both heavily weighted and against excellent teams. If the Americans can win matches over the next year, their ranking will shoot up.

Mexico is the highest ranked CONCACAF team, checking in at No. 24. Costa Rica is ranked No. 40, while no other team from the region is in the top 50.

Belgium is the new No. 1 team in the world, jumping two spots. Germany, Argentina, Portugal and Chile round out the top five.