France overtake Brazil

(FIFA.com) Wednesday 13 June 2007

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Whil e leaders Italy retain top spot 12 months on from the start of last
year’s FIFA World CupT in Germany, there are some big changes afoot in the
latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking on the back of almost 120 matches in the
past four weeks. A pair of victories in EURO 2008 qualifiers sees France
climb to second place (up 2) at the expense of Brazil (3rd, down 1).
Argentina (5th, down 2) fall two spots, while Germany bask in their highest
position in more than four years (4th, up 1). With the Copa América, the
fall in value of the results from last year’s World Cup and crucial EURO
2008 qualifiers coming up, there are likely to be more changes in the top 10
in the not too distant future.
Further down the ranking, the USA (16th, up 13), flying high again thanks to
a successful start to their Gold Cup campaign, overhaul Mexico (26th, down
6) for the time being as CONCACAF’s top team. Bosnia-Herzegovina (28th, up
20) and Northern Ireland (29th, up 4) both record their highest placings
since the ranking’s launch in 1993. Morocco (35th, up 12) and Norway (36th,
up 13) make eye-catching progress as a result of successes in continental
qualifying tournaments, but even their achievements are overshadowed by
Canada (56th, up 38) and, most notably, surprise packages Armenia (80th, up
48).
While a further eight teams – the majority from Africa – climb more than ten
places, newcomers Montenegro, who complete the ranking as FIFA’s 208th
member association, had an inauspicious introduction to the international
game with close defeats to Japan and Colombia and therefore prop up the
ranking still awaiting their first points.
– The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 18 July 2007.