Reigning world
and European
champions Spain
have retained
their first place
in the latest Fifa Ranking. Vicente Del Bosque's men have
consolided the top spot despite
their 1-1 draw with France, while
Argentina have leapfrogged
Portugal to climb to third in the
standings. Lionel Messi and his team-mates
recorded victories over Uruguay
(who fell out of the top 10) and
Chile in the past month to win
one position. Germany have held on to their
second place despite their
disappointing results of late. Italy
complete the top five as they rise
three positions following wins
against Armenia and Denmark. England (sixth) and Netherlands
(seventh) both dropped one
position, while Colombia (one up),
Russia (three up) and Croatia
(one up) all find themselves in the
top 10 as well. Brazil, who are set to host the
2014 World Cup, sit 13th in the
standings after friendly wins over
Japan and Iraq. Cote d'Ivoire, meanwhile, remain
Africa's highest ranked team in
the table in 15th position, while
Japan (24) are Asia's best
representative.
the Super Eagles of Nigeria have dropped
five spots on the
rankings and are now
63rd in the world. The team also dropped
out of the top 10 to now
occupy the 13th position
in Africa, coming after
Cape Verde and Central
African Republic. Elephants of Cote' d
Ivoire remain the highest
ranked African team on
the list; they occupy the
16th position in the world
and number one on the continent. Algeria, Mali, Ghana and
Egypt follow in that order,
making it up the top five,
while African champions,
Zambia are in sixth
position and are 41 in the world. Tunisia, Gabon, Central
African Republic and Cape
Verde are the other
countries that are in the
top 10 in the continent.
Top 10 African teams: 16. Ivory Coast (16)
24. Algeria (28)
27. Mali (32)
31. Ghana (31)
40. Egypt (38)
41. Zambia (42) 45. Tunisia (41)
47. Gabon (44)
49. Central African Republic (64)
53. Libya (36).