Argentina become No. 1 in FIFA rankings

Argentina’s recent performances in the World Cup qualifying campaign, which included wins over Chile and Bolivia, helped them end Belgium’s five-month reign at the top of the rankings. The Red Devils had gone to the top of the rankings back in November 2015 after a successful qualifying campaign for Euro 2016.

World Champions Germany, who suffered a defeat at the hands of England in the recent international break, slipped a place down to fifth, while Chile moved two places up to third – the highest they have ever been. Columbia jumped four places to fourth, but 2012 Euro champions Spain went down three places to sixth. Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay, and England occupy the rest of the places in the top 10, while Italy, Netherlands and Euro 2016 hosts France are 15th, 17th and 21st respectively.

In Asia, Iran retained the top-spot for the best-ranked team with the ranking of 42, while Australia moved up 17 places to reach 50th in the rankings to take the second position in Asia. Losses to Iran and Turkmenistan in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have seen India moved two places down to 162nd in the rankings.