European champions Spain extended their lead at the top of the latest world football rankings published by FIFA yesterday, following a quiet month for the sport.

Spain, who have not played a match since winning Euro 2008 at the end of June, are now leading Germany - the team they beat to win the title.

Germany climbed from third into second and swapped places with world champions Italy, despite neither side being in action last month.

Teams are able to move around in the monthly rankings system without playing matches because the standings are based on performances over the past four years, with older results being downgraded each month.

Five-time World Cup winners Brazil suffered the biggest drop in the top 10, falling two places to sixth - their lowest position in 15 years.

Brazil's worst ranking was in 1993 when they were eighth in the world.

The South Americans' current low owes mainly to their recent poor results in the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup.

Dunga's side have won just two of their first six qualifiers. In June they suffered a 2-0 away defeat against Paraguay and were then held to a goalless draw at home to Argentina.

Fellow former world champions France have also slipped in the rankings following their group stage exit at Euro 2008.

Raymond Domenech's side fell out of the top 10 to 12th, their lowest position since June 1998.

Malta are currently ranked 131st on 204 points, up three positions from last month.

FIFA Rankings

1. (1) Spain 1,557
2. (3) Germany 1,343
3. (2) Italy 1,320
4. (5) Netherlands 1,299
5. (7) Croatia 1,282
6. (4) Brazil 1,242
7. (6) Argentina 1,219
8. (8) Czech Republic 1,146
9. (9) Portugal 1,122
10. (11) Russia 1,023
11. (12) Romania 1,021;
12. (10) France 1,012;
13. (14) Turkey 1,010;
14. (15) England 1,003;
15. (13) Cameroon 994;
16. (16) Scotland 988;
17. (17) Bulgaria 930;
18. (18) Greece 896;
19. (20) Ghana 892;
20. (21) Israel 876.
(previous position in brackets)