FIFA released its latest ranking on Thursday. The Top 12 remains unchanged. Double European Championship winners and World Cup titleholders Spain are still at the summit. The Spaniards are followed by Germany and Radamel Falcao’s Colombia. The latter are feeling the heat, though, as Lionel Messi’s Argentina stand just a place behind with 1,210 points.
England suffered a blow in July as they bowed out of the Top 10. They have regained a bit of pride by moving up to 14th on the table. The biggest fall in the Top 20 was recorded by Ivory Coast; the Elephants have gone five places down and are now in 18th position.
The United States, however, have something to smile about. The country is improving on the world stage. With the help of living legend Landon Donovan, USA elegantly triumphed at the just-ended CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.
With 960 points, the USMNT has jumped up three places to occupy the 19th spot. This feat will be celebrated by the Americans who last featured in the Top 20 two years ago. Former Gold Cup champions Mexico complete the FIFA Ranking’s 20 best nations.
Next week, international football will resume with a host of mouth-watering fixtures. Italy will clash against Argentina in honour of Pope Francis. Andrea Pirlo and Lionel Messi are expected to star in this friendly match. Meanwhile, Germany will face one of Gerardo Martino’s former sides, Paraguay.
In another Europe vs South America clash, Neymar’s Brazil will continue their World Cup 2014 preparations against Switzerland while Confederations Cup runners-up Spain will face Ecuador. Other big international fixtures include Bosnia and Herzegovina vs USA, Wayne Rooney’s England against Scotland and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal against Robin van Persie’s Netherlands.
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