FIFA world rankings: Spain still leads the way

World champions Spain and runners-up The Netherlands have retained a healthy lead in the latest FIFA world rankings, with Italy returning to the top 10. Brazil have moved up two places to third with Germany and Argentina each slipping down a place to...

World champions Spain and runners-up The Netherlands have retained a healthy lead in the latest FIFA world rankings, with Italy returning to the top 10.

Brazil have moved up two places to third with Germany and Argentina each slipping down a place to fourth and fifth, respectively. England remain sixth.

Italy, the 2006 world champions, climbed two spots to ninth to return to the top 10 after a seven-month absence.

The Republic of Ireland remain 34th but Northern Ireland have slumped 20 places to 65th, one spot above Scotland who have dropped 16 places.

Wales moved up one place to 115th.

Malta fell seven places to 163rd.

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