Brazil have been named “Team of the Year” by FIFA for the fourth year running. The reigning World Champions have topped the FIFA rankings throughout 2005, having been defeated only twice this year, losing only to Argentina and Mexico.

FIFA's top-ranked team for all of 2005 lifted the Confederations Cup in June, after beating their South American rivals, Argentina, 4-1 in the Confederations Cup Final, and topped the South American qualifying group in the World Cup qualifiers ahead of Argentina.

The five-time World Champions are also strong favourites with bookmakers and fans alike to retain the World Cup trophy again in the finals in Germany next summer.

The Czech Republic finished the year ranked second, followed by the Netherlands, Argentina and with Mexico finishing the year fifth.

Spain, France, the United States, England and Portugal round up the places from 6th to 10th.

Ghana, which qualified for its first World Cup, was named "Best Mover of the Year'' after moving up 27 places from its January ranking to finish the year ranked No. 50.

FIFA will present the team awards, along with the awards for the World Player of the Year, in both the male and female categories at a gala ceremony tonight in Zurich, Switzerland.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati