Argentina may have found something to cheer them up after losing the Copa America final in Chile when they read that FIFA has named them the best team in the world according to its World Rankings. La Albiceleste did not need to win the continental tournament to get past Belgium and Germany and back to the top.
Lionel Messi's national team has not won a major title since the 1993 Copa America, but they had an almost undefeated run this summer in Chile and that launched them back to the first spot just like they were back in 2007. Ever since last summer's World Cup, Argentina had been either in second or third.
UEFA
Germany may not have only lost their spot based on what Argentina did, but also on what they couldn't do. The United States beat them in Cologne by 2-1 halfway through the month. Portugal climbed to the fourth spot with Ronaldo's hat-trick in the Euro Qualifiers against Armenia and other great performances by his national team. Romania is among the big surprises in the top 10 (8th). The team has gone up 48 spots since 2011.
Germany could not last a full year as the leader in the FIFA World Rankings
CONMEBOL
This was the most active confederation during the month of June with the Copa America. All of their teams had at least three games to play. Chile was able to win it for the first time in 99 years since the tournament was created. They now stand in 11th place, going up eight spots from their previous ranking. With their third place in the Copa, Peru is up in the top 50 (46) and ten spots back is fourth place Paraguay, which climbed 29 spots.
Uruguay felt the absence of Suárez in the Copa America and Brazil leaves the top 5
CONCACAF
This region was shaken by the participation of Mexico in the Copa America and what other teams did as preparation for the Gold Cup now taking place. El Tri fell to 40th place, it's worst ranking in history ever. The United States, despite beating Netherlands and Germany on the road, fell to 34th place. Costa Rica, who had enjoyed being among the top 20 for a long time, is now back in 41st place.
FIFA does not seem to be too happy with the U.S. and Mexico is at an all-time low
CAF
Almost half a year after the AFCON tournament came to an end, Algeria is still leading the African continent when it comes to soccer. They climbed up two spots to 19th place and are still feeling the pressure from AFCON Champions Ivory Coast, which climbed up three places and now finds itself in 21st place. Ghana also gained territory last month by skipping into 25th place. They were out of the top 30 last month.
Four of the best five teams in the region are looking better than the best team in CONCACAF
AFC
In Asia, believe it or not, Iran is still the best team and it even moved up into the top 40 (38).The top five teams in the region, including
Australia is still not leading this region despite their recent success
OFC
The OFC is not to be forgotten. New Zealand remains as the leader of the zone in 136th place, after moving up two spots. Tahiti (188), Fiji (199) and
The Pacific Games did create some movements in this table
This is how the top 20 in the FIFA World Rankings looks like
