Germany have capped a sensational week on the international stage by returning to the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking for the first time since being knocked off the top spot exactly two years ago.
Following their 1-0 win over Chile (7th, down 3) in Saint Petersburg, the newly crowned FIFA Confederations Cup champions have narrowly overtaken Brazil (2nd, down 1) and leapfrogged Argentina (3rd, down 1). European neighbours Poland (6th, up 4) also have cause to celebrate, having risen to their best-ever ranking.
Following 177 matches around the globe, many UEFA members will be looking back on the last month fondly. Portugal (4th, up 4) and Switzerland (5th, up 4) have made strong gains in the top ten, while Sweden (18th, up 16) and Iceland (19th, up 3) – their best-ever placing – have climbed into the top 20.
Andorra (129th, up 57) were the month’s biggest movers and the likes of Peru (14th, up 1), Northern Ireland (22nd, up 6), Congo DR (28th, up 11), Curaçao (68th, up 2), and Mauritania (81st, up 23) all join Poland and Iceland in registering their highest positions to date.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 10 August 2017.
Summary
Leader Germany
Moves into top ten none
Moves out of top ten Spain (11th, down 1)
Matches played in total 177
Most matches played Mexico (10 matches)
Biggest move by points Andorra (up 177 points)
Biggest move by ranks Andorra (up 57 ranks)
Biggest drop by points Argentina (down 213 points)
Biggest drop by ranks Namibia (down 62 ranks)
Newly ranked teams none
Teams that are no longer ranked none
Inactive teams, not ranked none