Southgate frank on England's ranking
England manager Gareth Southgate insists he would rather face the world's best than play the system to boost his side's FIFA ranking.
A report this week outlined how the results of friendlies impact FIFA's ranking system.
England have put themselves up against some of the world's best teams in order to prepare for World Cup qualifying and the World Cup itself.
However, recent results have left Southgate's side 13th in the world rankings, meaning they are set to miss out on seeding for Russia next summer.
'I get it but, for us, and we've talked about this as a group of staff sort of strategically, the option is we pick some strategically positioned opponents and try and boost our ranking or we test ourselves against the very best which is what we need to do,' the England boss said.
'How are we going to improve? How do we find out the level we are really at, if we don't?
'So I'm prepared to forfeit the win percentage of us as a group of staff because I think the long-term benefits for everybody far outweighs it, really.
'I'd love both (seeding and glamour friendlies) because how will we ever get better, you know?
'We'd have a false view of where we are and we won't have to adapt to some of the challenges that those big teams pose.
'You get a false sense of security and then you go to a tournament and you've not developed a way of playing that is needed against those top teams.'
Friendly clashes with Germany and Brazil are scheduled for November, with a trip to Holland also on the cards before the tournament next summer.
Qualification is almost secured and Southgate confirmed background preparations will continue with a trip to look at team bases in Russia.
'We are actually due to go back next week,' he added.
'So you know (moving five points clear with two qualifiers left) feels like we are a little bit more entitled to go, but whatever happened against Slovakia we had to keep planning ahead. That is why we went out in the summer.
'Again, we've got a plan for the next camp, make sure we get those games right, but equally Russia and also beyond.
'We're looking at all of the young players coming through and we want to keep developing them and evolving the team.'