Brazil stay ahead of Spain in rankings

Brazil remained in first place when FIFA's latest world rankings were released yesterday while Portugal's rise back into the top 10 ensured they will be seeded for their forthcoming World Cup play-off.

Just three ranking points separate Brazil from Spain while the Netherlands, Italy and Germany complete an unchanged top five.

Portugal, France (9th), Russia (12th) and Greece (16th) will be kept apart in Monday's draw for the two-legged European World Cup play-offs. Those four will face either Ukraine (22nd), Ireland (34th), Bosnia (42nd) or Slovenia (49th).

Uruguay, who are ranked 25th, also face a play-off to reach the World Cup finals after they lost their final qualifying game at home to Argentina on Wednesday.

Despite struggling to gain automatic entry into next year's tournament in South Africa, Diego Maradona's Argentina have risen two places to sixth in the rankings.

Hosts South Africa languish in 85th place with Cameroon the highest African nation at 14th.

No fewer than 192 matches were played since the last edition of the rankings, 147 of which were World Cup qualifiers.

Malta no.146

Malta slipped to no.146 after losing six places from the position the team held in the previous ranking last month.

The national team has 132 points and was overt aken by fellow UEFA minnows Liechtenstein who gained eight places and now occupy the no.143 slot in the rankings.

The Faroe Islands are also ahead of Malta after moving a staggering 41 places in the rankings to no.122. Luxembourg are no.133.

In the top 50, five teams have climbed more than ten places. Particularly worthy of mention are the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, who have risen 15 places to 14th.

Currently, 23 teams have booked a place in the World Cup finals, 13 of which are ranked in the top 20.

Top 20 teams

1. Brazil 1,632;
2. Spain 1,629;
3. Holland 1,340;
4. Italy 1,215;
5. Germany 1,161;
6. Argentina 1,103;
7. England 1,101;
8. Croatia 1,087;
9. France 1,049;
10. Portugal 1,042;
11. United States 1,025;
12. Russia 982;
13. Switzerland 961;
14. Cameroon 949;
15. Czech Republic 928;
16. Greece 921;
17. Chile 909;
18. Mexico 904;
19. Ivory Coast 903;
20. Serbia 892.