FIFA rankings are crucial for World Cup qualification, comparing teams and rewarding sustained performance. However, the system is deeply flawed, susceptible to strategic manipulation for economic gain. High-ranked teams often avoid lower-ranked opponents to prevent disproportionate drops. Rankings, while ensuring revenue, incentivize gaming through strategic scheduling or result manipulation. This fosters the "Tullock paradox," where resource expenditure equals prize value, leading to social waste. A truly predictive ranking would diminish the non-economic thrill of World Cup viewing, removing its disruptive element.