Germany’s charge to claim Sunday’s World Cup title has seen them
return to the top of FIFA’s world rankings for the first time in around
20 years. The latest list, published on Thursday, has Germany moving up
one place on the strength of their 1-0 defeat of Argentina ar Rio de
Janeiro’s Maracana. 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. 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 quarter-finals 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.
Latest 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 Hercegovina (+2)
20. England (-10) Nigeria rose up ten spots to 34th place in the Fifa
rankings , courtesy of the Super Eagles’ second round finish at the
World Cup in Brazil.

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