FIFA Rankings: Brazil climb back into the top 10

Brazil’s stunning 3-0 victory over Spain in the FIFA Confederations Cup Final has helped them jump 13-places to ninth on the July edition of the FIFA World Rankings. According to a report on FIFA.com, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side won all five of their matches at that competition, and defeated France in a friendly, to collect 223 points over the past month. Brazil has dropped to 22nd in the last rankings as a result of lacklustre recent results, including four draws in their last six games leading up to their Confed Cup. They had also not played too many competitive internationals. Brazil, who qualify automatically for next year’s World Cup as hosts, have spent the last two years playing only friendlies, which earn fewer points under the complex calculation system. So this comes as a welcome return to form and the top ten. Spain, who lost of Brazil in the final, however held on to the top position position ahead of Germany, while Colombia climbed four places to a personal best of third thanks to some impressive performances in FIFA World Cup™ qualifying. Meanwhile Belgium (10th, up 2) celebrated entering the top ten for the first time in history. [caption id=“attachment_928605” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Neymar was the star for Brazil at the Confed Cup. Reuters[/caption] Participating in the FIFA Confederations Cup paid off for two other semi-finalists, as Uruguay (12th, up 7) and Italy (6th, up 2) gained ground, although the other competing teams – Mexico (20th, down 3), Nigeria (35th, down 4), Japan (37th, down 5) and Tahiti (154th, down 16) – have all fallen back. The ongoing Brazil 2014 qualifiers and a number of friendlies have seen no fewer than seven teams rise more than 20 places, namely Cape Verde Islands (49th, up 23), Scotland (50th, up 24), Austria (54th, up 22), Guinea (61st, up 24), Armenia (66th, up 23), Senegal (74th, up 25) and Malta (133rd, up 23). The shake-up on the FIFA World Ranking also means that Bosnia-Herzegovina (14th, up 1), Peru (19th, up 11), Albania (37th, up 1), Cape Verde Islands, Dominican Republic (90th, up 4), Tajikistan (106th, up 6) and Guam (176th, up 2) are all now higher than ever before. The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 8 August 2013. Check out the complete rankings HERE .