Less than five days after Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the European country has returned to the top of FIFA world rankings for the first time in around 20 years.
According to the latest list published on Thursday, 17 July, 2014, Germany moved up one place to depose former table topper Spain on the strength of their 1-0 defeat of Argentina at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium in Brazil.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina are placed second, an improvement of three places, with the Netherlands leaping 12 rungs into third after their impressive World Cup third place finish.
The James Rodriguez-inspired Colombia move up to fourth (+4), ahead of Belgium (+6) and Uruguay, while disappointing Brazil dropped four spots to seventh.
* Germany national football team
Deposed world champions Spain slumped seven spots to their new modest placing of eighth, with Switzerland and France (+7) completing the top ten.
Costa Rica’s remarkable charge to the quarterfinals was rewarded with a jump of 12 places to 16th.
England’s woeful first round exit resulted in Roy Hodgson’s side dropping ten places to 20th.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who exited the World Cup in the round of 16, moved up 10 spots to current 34th position in the world and 3rd in Africa.
Both Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire dropped two points each but they still remain the best two teams on the African continent, respectively.
Egypt maintains its 4th position, while Ghana also remains ranked 5th in Africa, despite dropping one point in the latest ranking.
Below is the top 20 of the new FIFA rankings:
1. Germany (+1)
2. Argentina (+3)
3. Netherlands (+12)
4. Colombia (+4)
5. Belgium (+6)
6. Uruguay (+1)
7. Brazil (-4)
8. Spain (-7)
9. Switzerland (-3)
10. France (+7)
11. Portugal (-7)
12. Chile (+2)
13. Greece (-1)
14. Italy (-5)
15. USA (-2)
16. Costa Rica (+12)
17. Croatia (+1)
18. Mexico (+2)
19. Bosnia and Herzegovina (+2)
20. England (-10)
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