Brazil climb a rung to 9th as minimal change seen in FIFA rankings

Brazil, who sank to an all-time low of 22nd place on the FIFA rankings last June, continued their slow climb back to respectability, rising to ninth in the latest list, published on Thursday.

The five-times World champions and the hosts of this year's finals climbed one place, leapfrogging the Netherlands.

World champions Spain, Germany and Argentina retained first, second and third positions respectively.

Portugal moved into fourth spot, changing places with Colombia.

There was movement elsewhere among the leaders, with Switzerland climbing to sixth from eighth, ahead of Uruguay, who slipped one to seventh.

Italy went from seventh to eighth.

India moved up two places to 154.

Most of the rankings were determined by the devaluation of older matches and some friendly internationals.

Friendlies will, in the main, determine the rankings in the next few months, ahead of the World Cup, which starts on June 12.

Rankings

1. (1) Spain

2. (2) Germany

3. (3) Argentina

4. (5) Portugal

5. (4) Colombia

6. (8) Switzerland

7. (6) Uruguay

8. (7) Italy

9.(10) Brazil

10. (9) Netherlands

154. India