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Brazil fell three places this month as it continues to play only friendlies, including a 2-2 draw against England on Sunday.
Friendlies score less than competitive matches in Fifa’s calculations, which have ranked teams since 1993 across a four-year results cycle.
Brazil can make up ground when it hosts the eight-nation Confederations Cup warm-up event this month. It plays No 8 Italy, No 17 Mexico and No 32 Japan.
World and European champion Spain extended its lead atop the rankings since August 2011. Germany, Argentina and Croatia are next.
The Netherlands, the 2010 World Cup finalists which knocked Spain off the top two years ago, rose four spots. Portugal and Colombia are sixth and seventh. England drops two to No 9 and Ecuador completes the top 10.
Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which lead their World Cup qualifying groups, have risen to their highest-ever ranks of No 12 and No 15, respectively. Cote d’lvoire leads African nations at No 13, and 23rd-ranked Mali closed in on Brazil in its best position.
The United States rose one place to No 28 ahead of resuming its World Cup qualifying campaign in Jamaica today. — AFP.
Online Reporter