European champions Spain completed a year on top of FIFA's world rankings while the Netherlands moved up to second place for the first time in almost four years when the latest list was released on Wednesday.
After no movement in the top 39 places last month, there was plenty of activity this time with world champions Italy moving up a place to fourth, Germany down one to third, Brazil down one to fifth, England up one to sixth and Argentina down one to seventh.
Paraguay, top of the South American World Cup qualifying zone, were the biggest movers among leading nations, jumping up from 17th to 13th while Serbia and Ukraine moved into the top 20 at the expense of Cameroon and Bulgaria.
The rankings are based on team's performances over the last four years.
FIFA RANKINGS (last month's positions in brackets)
1. (1) Spain
2. (3) Netherlands
3. (2) Germany
4. (5) Italy
5. (4) Brazil
6. (7) England
7. (6) Argentina
8. (8) Croatia
9. (9) Russia
10. (10) France
11. (11) Portugal
12. (14) Turkey
13. (17) Paraguay
14. (15) United States
15. (12) Czech Republic
16. (18) Switzerland
17 = (13) Greece
17 = (16) Uruguay
19. (22) Ukraine
20. (23) Serbia
Paraguay, top of the South American World Cup qualifying zone, were the biggest movers among leading nations, jumping up from 17th to 13th while Serbia and Ukraine moved into the top 20 at the expense of Cameroon and Bulgaria.
The rankings are based on team's performances over the last four years.
FIFA RANKINGS (last month's positions in brackets)
1. (1) Spain
2. (3) Netherlands
3. (2) Germany
4. (5) Italy
5. (4) Brazil
6. (7) England
7. (6) Argentina
8. (8) Croatia
9. (9) Russia
10. (10) France
11. (11) Portugal
12. (14) Turkey
13. (17) Paraguay
14. (15) United States
15. (12) Czech Republic
16. (18) Switzerland
17 = (13) Greece
17 = (16) Uruguay
19. (22) Ukraine
20. (23) Serbia
ESPN Soccernet
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