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ZURICH. — Winning the World Cup was not enough to lift Argentina atop the FIFA world football rankings with Brazil keeping the No. 1 position yesterday.
Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Croatia but built enough rankings points from results over recent years that feed into FIFA’s calculation.
Argentina moved up one place to No. 2 and beaten finalists France also rose one to No. 3.
Belgium are still at No. 4, a fall of two places, despite winning only one game in Qatar and failing to advance from the group stage.
England and the Netherlands, both beaten quarter-finalists, stay at Nos. 5 and 6 respectively.
Croatia climbed five places to No. 7.
European champions Italy are at No. 8 despite failing to qualify for the World Cup.
Morocco are the best-placed African nation at No. 11, up 11 places, for their historic run to the semi-finals.
The United States at No. 13 are the best of the CONCACAF region teams, rising three places after advancing to the round of 16. Mexico are No. 15.
Japan leads the Asian confederation teams at No. 20, up four places, and Australia rises 11 places to No. 27. Both reached the round of 16.
Cameroon, who beat Brazil in the group stage, rose 10 places to be No. 33. — AP
Online Reporter