There were times last season when Steven Taylor was the only British player in our first team ... and that shows how serious the problem is.
Roy Hodgson's side have dropped out of the top 10 and now rank below the Ivory Coast and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
It is England's worst ranking for five years - since the team managed by Steve McClaren missed out on playing in Euro 2008.
England have not been ranked lower since they were 16th in early 2001.
Brazil, meanwhile, whose ranking had suffered by not playing competitive qualifiers ahead of hosting next year's World Cup, have returned to the top 10 following their Confederations Cup triumph, up 13 places to ninth.
Beaten Confederation Cup finalists Spain retain top ranking ahead of Germany.
Colombia are third thanks to some impressive results in the World Cup qualifiers. Belgium have made it into the top 10 for the first time ever.
Scotland have soared 24 places to 50th, the Republic of Ireland have dropped three spots to 44th and Wales are down a place to 46th. Northern Ireland are up three places to 111th.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES:
Motherwell (A) July 16
Rio Ave (A) July 20
Pacos Ferreira (A) July 23
Blackpool (A) July 29
St Mirren (A) July 31
Braga (H) August 10
WE TELL IT AS IT IS - NO BULLSHIT!
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NEWCASTLE UNITED FIXTURES ...
Saturday August 17
15:00Premier League Manchester City v Newcastle United
Saturday August 24
15:00Premier League Newcastle United v West Ham United
Saturday August 31
15:00Premier League Newcastle United v Fulham Saturday
September 14
15:00Premier League Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Saturday September 21
15:00Premier League Newcastle United v Hull City
Saturday September 28
15:00Premier League Everton Newcastle v United
Saturday October 5
15:00Premier League Cardiff City v Newcastle United
Saturday October 19
15:00Premier League Newcastle United v Liverpool
Saturday October 26
15:00Premier League Sunderland v Newcastle United
Saturday November 2