Brazil, Wales and USMNT make key moves in new FIFA world ranking
There’s no change at the very top of FIFA’s world rankings, but World Cup qualifying gave several teams a chance to make big moves to cement a new spot on the list. Brazil have surged into the top five, while Wales broke into the top 10 and the USA continues to rise, too.
Brazil surged up five spots to a tie for No. 4 overall with the biggest increase in the rankings on points. Though Neymar and the U-23 squad won gold at the Olympics, that wasn’t a factor in this ranking -- instead big victories over Colombia and Ecuador in World Cup qualifying pushed Brazil along. Brazil now shares the No. 4 spot with Colombia. Argentina and Belgium remain unchanged at the top two spots, but Germany have moved into the third overall spot, swapping places with Colombia.
Portugal, France and Wales -- teams that all made it to the semifinals of Euro 2016 -- round out the top 10 with Chile and Uruguay. Wales moved back into the top 10 as both Spain and Italy dropped out of the top 10. Spain went down three spots to No. 11 and Italy dropped three to No. 13.
The USA men continue to rise in the world rankings, jumping four spots to No. 22 on the list. Their latest round of World Cup qualifying went well with decisive wins over St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago, good enough to finish top in their group and to apparently get a bump in the FIFA world rankings.
Mexico still leads all CONCACAF teams at No. 15, while Costa Rica is next is line at No. 18. The U.S. is ranked third in CONCACAF. In Africa, Ivory Coast sit highest at No. 34, while Asia is led by Iran at No. 37.
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