New Delhi: Recently-crowned world champions Germany have moved to the top spot in the latest FIFA rankings, released on Thursday.
Germany returned to the top of FIFA’s world rankings for the first time in around 20 years, riding on their superb show in the recently-concluded World Cup, where they clinched the title by defeating Argentina 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro in the final earlier in the week.
Germany have moved up one place, while Lionel Messi’s Argentina have gained three spots to move to second position, with the Netherlands jumping 12 rungs into third after their third-place finish at the World Cup.
The James Rodriguez-inspired Colombia earned four places to claim fourth position, while Belgium (+6) and Uruguay (+1) also climbed up the ladder into fifth and sixth positions, respectively.
Brazil’s not-so-impressive show at the World Cup has pushed them to number seven, a drop of four spots, while Spain fell a full seven places to eighth after their disastrous performance saw the 2010 champions unceremoniously dumped after the first round.
Costa Rica’s remarkable run in Brazil 2014 was rewarded with a jump of 12 places to 16th.
But England’s first round exit resulted in them losing 10 places to drop to 20th spot, their lowest ranking in 18 years.
India gain 3 places
Meanwhile, India gained three places to gradually climb to 151 in the world.
The Indian share their position with Malaysia. They follow the tiny countries of Gambia (148), Antigua & Barbuda (149) and Malta (150).
Following behind India are fellow Asian nations Indonesia and Singapore in 153rd and 154th place, respectively.
Neighbours Bangladesh have risen by four places and are now 163rd, while Nepal and Pakistan closely trail in their wake.
The Indian women’s team, however, are ranked over 100 places higher than their male counterparts; they are currently in 50th position.