Was the USA the most over-rated team in the history of the World Cup?

The FIFA ranking is just a joke and it does not really reflect reality. You have made a couple of examples, but look at the first 15 places and you will agree that it is a nonsense.

1 Brazil

2 Czech Republic

3 Netherlands

4 Mexico

5 USA

5 Spain

7 Portugal

8 France

9 Argentina

10 England

11 Nigeria

11 Denmark

13 Italy

14 Turkey

15 Cameroon

About USA, more than overrated, they have a coach that lacks on humility and focus too much on physical strategy instead of tactic and technique.

In addition, their Federation insists on "adopting" and investing in Mexican players, ignoring traditional stronger Continents (in soccer) like South America and Europe. As we have seen few days in this World Cup, Mexico have done itself some improvements because of the Argentinian coach (La Volpe) who brought some "order" in their boring (dribbling) way of play. If USA don't confront itself with the reality of soccer, they will not improve on their play (maybe they will grow on FIFA ranking but then what???)

for "lonestar": if you refer to USA National Team (as asked in the question) I think you are REALLY uninformed and confused: USA is one of the few teams that invested a lot of time on preparing the World Cup (including way over 30 days of training before the competition)

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I think FIFA was just messing with you people. Think about it. If USA is ranked fifth. they are better than

5 Spain

7 Portugal

8 France

9 Argentina

10 England

11 Nigeria

11 Denmark

13 Italy

14 Turkey

15 Cameroon

I dont even think they are better than Iran. LMAO

The old system of ranking will be revamped set to be released by FIFA after the World Cup. Mexico and Egypt were also ranked quite high, to name two others. The criteria will be balanced (hopefully) with the new system -- we shall see in July!!

That kinda implies that America and the rest of the world are equals, America isnt above or equal to the whole world. Id watch if it was a tournament between countries and they brought in talent from other countries and had a USA v Japan v UK v Mexico v Canada that had loads of matches,

By soo freaking much man. I went to the US v Czech and they were so not trying to even play. They didnt know really where their teamates where. But the sad thing is that last year in may the wooped up on Guatemala

only one player was. Landon Donnovan. WEAK!!! The US was not overrated, we were set up in a horrible group. you said it ranks 2, 5, and 13. No matter what happens win or loss, Brazil will always be the most overrated team in the world. if you don't agree, when the bandwagon hits a bump don't hurt yourself.

FIFA ranking counts to nothing when it matters, these guys rarely get to play as a national team... so used to in playing for their clubs, leagues etc etc.

The US team sucked...That fifa ranking is whatever.... Argentina and Brazil should be at the top!

when it comes to fifas rankings yes but besides that no i think brazil and england are over-rated

I don't think USA is the only over-rated team. England is the other team.