As expected, there were very few changes to the first edition of the FIFA world rankings this year, as precious little football was played around the world.

In fact, fifa.com reported yesterday, only 11 matches were taken into account, including six that were actually played in 2011.

At the summit, world champions Spain continue to lead the way ahead of the Netherlands, Germany and Uruguay, who are still close together in the chasing pack.

Of the top 20 teams, only Chile have been in action recently, their 3-2 victory over Paraguay seeing them overtake Russia and move into 12th place on the global ladder.

Although there was not much movement this month, some teams did still climb into their highest-ever position in the world rankings, namely Bosnia-Herzegovina (19th, up 1), Panama (47th, up 2), Estonia (52nd, up 5) and Belize (133rd, up 8).

Montenegro (50th, up 1) have also returned to the top 50.

The month’s other successful sides are Uzbekistan (67th, up 8), Zambia (71st, up 8), Saudi Arabia (87th, up 9), Congo DR (116th, up 9) and Nicaragua (145th, up 9), who have all benefited from the devaluation of poor results in previous years to make significant progress up the table.

Malta kept the same position of the previous month – 156th. The national team is wedged between unfashionable duo Bahamas (155) and Philippines (157).

Andorra and San Marino (both 206) remain the only two UEFA members behind Malta in the world rankings.

Meanwhile, FIFA said there will undoubtedly be more movement in next month’s ranking list as the 32 matches taking place at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, will be taken into account.

Top 20 nations
1. Spain 1,564; 2. Holland 1,365; 3. Germany 1,345; 4. Uruguay 1,309; 5. England 1,173; 6. Brazil 1,143; 7. Portugal 1,100; 8. Croatia 1,091; 9. Italy 1,082; 10. Argentina 1,067; 11. Denmark 1,032; 12. Chile 973; 13. Russia 971; 14. Greece 964; 15. France 915; 16. Switzerland 898; 17. Sweden 891; 18. Ivory Coast 889; 19. Bosnia 869; 19. Japan 869.