November 30 – Belgium remain top of FIFA’s latest rankings, just, with world champions France a close second and Brazil in third spot. Sweden and Serbia were among the big movers.
The Belgians suffered a shock 5-2 defeat at the hands of Switzerland in Luzern in the Nations League in November, but that has not haken their grip on the top spot. Roberto Martinez’s team led 2-0 after 17 minutes, but became complacent and let the Swiss regain control of the match with a spectacular comeback.
Switzerland will join reigning European champions and hosts Portugal, England and the Netherlands in the Nations League finals next year.
The Netherlands’ late 2-2 draw in Germany knocked France out of the final four. The Germans had been in full control of the match, but fell apart in the final minutes as a miserable year ended with more disappointment for the country and a further two place drop down the FIFA rankings to 17th.
The world champions France on 1726 points are just one point behind Belgium. Brazil complete the podium in third. They defeated both Uruguay and Cameroon in November friendlies as they begin to gear up for next year’s Copa America on home soil.
There were few changes in the top 10, with Croatia and England closing out the top five.
Nations League group winners Sweden moved up to 14th, and Netherlands also gained a place, up to 15th. Serbia entered the top 30, up six places to 29th. Despite an unexpectedly successful world cup, Russia dropped seven places to 48th after a not so happy Nations League campaign.
Africa saw the biggest ranking movements with Gambia gaining 19 points and seven ranking spots to 166th and Sudan moving up eight ranking places to 127th. In contrast Tunisia lost 22 ranking points and two ranking places, dropping to 26th.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1731566411labto1731566411ofdlr1731566411owedi1731566411sni@o1731566411fni1731566411