The fortunes of Bermuda's national soccer team have been in gradual decline for a decade, statistics reveal.

According to figures compiled by FIFA, world soccer's governing body, the Island has slipped from a lofty 76th in the world in 1993 to its current position of 173rd.

The rankings include the national A-teams of all FIFA member associations who play international matches. Not included in the calculation are matches played by junior teams, such as those who will be turning out at the forthcoming Pan-Am Games, or other representative national sides, such as the women's team.

A lack of international competition is obviously to blame for Bermuda's slump, for which no particular administration is wholly to be held accountable.

A rapid decline in the standings was witnessed until mid-1995 when a mini revival saw a rise from 132 in August to 91st by September.

However, shortly after the downward spiral continued with just the occasional monthly rise of one or two positions until 1999. In that year small rises were achieved until a then high of 144 in May of 2000 was achieved.

Since then, though, it has been downhill all the way until last month's placing, just nine places above the ten-year low of 185th in December, 1998, was recorded.

The Island lies 25th out of the 35 nations of the CONCACAF federation. Those standings are led by the big guns of Mexico, the USA and Costa Rica.

However, it was not so long back that Bermuda were beating the USA, now ranked tenth in the world following their success at the last World Cup.

Other nations above Bermuda include the Cayman Islands (167th overall), the British Virgin Islands (162), Antigua and Barbuda (157), St. Lucia (115) and St. Kitts and Nevis (113).

Brazil continue to lead the way at the head of the global rankings, ahead of France and Spain, but the Iberians have now moved to within one point of the European champions.