FIFA have done the decent thing and finally confirmed what we have all known to be true for some time (about 16 days in fact), by rubber-stamping England’s woebegone showing in South Africa as the Three Lions’ worst performance at a World Cup finals since the tournament began in 1930.

The post-tournament rankings saw England wash up in 13th place (out of 32) in the official stats-based performance table, two places lower than their previous record low of 11th place – set by Walter Winterbottom‘s hapless side back in 1958.

FIFA’s system takes into account group stage results, progress in the competition and the quality of opposition (determined by their official world ranking) and, unsurprisingly, the top four positions were therefore taken by Spain, Holland, Germany and Uruguay accordingly – indicative of their respective final standings in the World Cup itself.

The beaten quarter-finalists all took the next four slots, with Argentina in fifth, Brazil in sixth, Ghana in seventh and Paraguay is eighth and Japan, Chile, Portugal and the USA all trotted home ahead of Fabio Capello‘s forlorn charges.

Italy and France both suffered mercilessly at the hands of the ranking system, as the disgraced pair of former champions consequently limped home in 26th and 29th place respectively.

The FIFA 2010 World Cup standings in full…

1. Spain

2. Netherlands

3. Germany

4. Uruguay

5. Argentina

6. Brazil

7. Ghana

8. Paraguay9. Japan

10. Chile

11. Portugal

12. USA

13. England

14. Mexico

15. South Korea

16. Slovakia17. Ivory Coast

18. Slovenia

19. Switzerland

20. South Africa

21. Australia

22. New Zealand

23. Serbia

24. Denmark25. Greece

26. Italy

27. Nigeria

28. Algeria

29. France

30. Honduras

31. Cameroon

32. North Korea