This month's FIFA world rankings sees Brazil unmoved at the top of the table ahead of Spain and the Netherlands. The Spaniards are gaining ground on the Brazilians, however, and they now have a significant lead over the third-placed Dutch.

World champions Italy (4th, up 1) have also made inroads and are now joint fourth with Germany.

Mexico, who comfortably defeated the United States in the final of the Gold Cup in August, recently repeated the feat by overcoming the Americans in a World Cup qualifier, a victory that sees the Mexicans (24th, up 6) climb the rankings ladder.

Other teams to have seen off the challenge of higher-ranked teams to make progress in the table include Norway (43rd, up 7) and Chile (21st, up 5).

Australia (14th, up 2), Benin (78th, up 5) and Montenegro (89th, up 7) are all currently in their highest-ever position.

Meanwhile, Malta moved up six places in the list following last month's 2-0 win over Georgia in an international friendly at the National Stadium.

The Maltese are currently ranked 140 with 166 points, seven points behind Azerbaijan who are 139th.

A total of eight World Cup qualifiers and 62 friendly matches were played in the past month, bringing the total number of 'A' international matches played in 2009 to 509.

Other qualifiers will be played in the next few weeks, which will lead to considerable movement in the next edition of the world ranking.

Top 20 Positions

1. Brazil 1,604; 2. Spain 1,588; 3. Netherlands 1,376; 4. Italy 1,186; 4. Germany 1,186; 6. Russia 1,129; 7. England 1,127; 8. Argentina 1,113; 9. Croatia 1,101; 10. France 1,040; 11. US 974; 12. Greece 971; 13. Serbia 916; 14. Australia 907; 15. Switzerland 898; 16. Denmark 892; 17. Portugal 880; 18. Czech Republic 870; 19. Bulgaria 860; 20. Ivory Coast 852.