Argentina tops FIFA ranking as Spain move third

BeSoccer 9 months ago 1.4k |

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The FIFA rankings were updated on Thursday following the latest competitions. AFP

FIFA updated its ranking of national teams after the Copa America and the European Championship and the ‘Albiceleste’, champions in the United States, reinforced its first place in the ranking ahead of France, which remains in second place despite being eliminated in the semi-finals of the European Championship. Spain, winners of this competition, completes the podium.

Argentina continue to be the best team of the moment in the FIFA rankings. Lionel Scaloni's men solidified their lead with the title in a Copa America in which, with the exception of a match they won on penalties, they won all their matches. With 1901.48 points, the ‘Albiceleste’ are unchallenged for the moment, with second-placed France on 1854.91 and the gap between them and the South Americans widening.

The big change at the top of the table is Spain, who move up 5 places to become the 3rd best team in the world after their immaculate success - they won every game - at the European Championship. Luis de la Fuente's side now have 1835.67 points and have leapfrogged Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil and England.

Fourth place goes to the British, who despite losing the final to ‘la Roja’ also improved by one place. England now have 1812.26 points and are the last team above 1800 points. The top 10 is closed by the ‘Selecao’, which loses one place and has 1785.61; the ‘Red Devils’, who fall 3 positions and have 1772.44; the ‘Oranje’, now with 1758.51 points and in the same 7th place they occupied before the tournament; the ‘Quinas’, who drop 2 positions and have 1741.43; Colombia, who gain 3 and have 1727.32; and Italy, who stay as they were in 10th position with their 1714.29 units.

One of the surprise packages of the South American tournament, Venezuela, has moved up the most places since the last ranking. The ‘Vinotinto’ have moved from 54th to 37th position after gaining 17 places in the rankings. By contrast, the Czech Republic has fallen 13 places - from 34th to 47th - after the continental event and is the worst-ranked country in the last time period.

Finally, in terms of points gained since the last update, Spain, with an increase of 105.75 points, is the country that has increased its ranking the most. By contrast, Samoa, which has lost 44.09 points, is the nation that has lost the most since the previous revision of the ranking.

The FIFA rankings were updated on Thursday following the latest competitions and will be updated again in two months' time on 19th September.