FIFA released updated World Rankings on Thursday. The latest head-scratching algorithm sees Germany remain at the top spot, this despite a poor start to their UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. The reigning World Cup champions have just seven points after four matches and sit second in Group D behind Poland.
Only 13 of the Top 25 teams saw no deviation from the governing body's previous release. Spain (10), Mexico (21) and the United States (31) all dropped in the rankings. Costa Rica, the darlings of the 2014 World Cup, jumped three spots and now sit in a historic 13th place. Los Ticos will attempt to hold that prestige this summer at the 2015 Gold Cup; however, with the tournament taking place on U.S. soil, Mexico and the Yanks remain the resounding favorites.
Ghana, fresh off a trip to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final, jumped 12 spots to No. 25, but was not February's best mover. Neither were the champions, the Ivory Coast, who moved to No. 20. That designation belongs to the hosts of the tournament, Equatorial Guinea, who jumped from No. 69 to No. 49. By contrast, Libya was the worst mover, falling 35 places to No. 113.
Below are the Top 20 teams according to FIFA.com.
|
Top 20 Rankings as of 12 February 2015 |
||
|
Rank |
Team |
Points |
|
1 |
Germany |
1729 |
|
2 |
Argentina |
1534 |
|
3 |
Colombia |
1456 |
|
4 |
Belgium |
1430 |
|
5 |
Netherlands |
1385 |
|
6 |
Brazil |
1333 |
|
7 |
Portugal |
1189 |
|
8 |
France |
1168 |
|
9 |
Uruguay |
1146 |
|
10 |
Spain |
1144 |
|
11 |
Switzerland |
1117 |
|
12 |
Italy |
1112 |
|
13 |
Costa Rica |
1074 |
|
14 |
Chile |
1037 |
|
15 |
England |
1028 |
|
16 |
Romania |
1022 |
|
17 |
Czech Republic |
990 |
|
18 |
Algeria |
981 |
|
19 |
Croatia |
945 |
|
20 |
Ivory Coast |
932 |
The next edition of the FIFA World Rankings will be released on Mar. 12.
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